Nabiki - New Horizons Part 6 - And Baby Makes Three By G.L. Sandborn (AKA Uncle Fester) "Well, Nabs, what do you think?" Jeff asked as they pulled up in front of a newly built house in a fashionable upscale neighborhood overlooking the blue Pacific ocean on the west coast of Oahu, Hawaii. He had purchased the house and had it furnished during the honeymoon; something Nabiki totally missed due to her preoccupation with Sodoshi Tanaka. Nabiki just sat in the front seat of the Jeep Cherokee, arms crossed, and stared at the building. She wasn't sure just how to react. In Japan, the wife makes all the major purchase decisions. Jeff had purchased this home without even consulting with her - that was bad enough - but now, he was acting like he expected her to simply move in and be happy. Needless to say, she was *not* amused. "And just what is *this* supposed to be?" She refused to even look Jeff's way. Her face grew hard and dark with the question. "We needed a place to live." Jeff was nonchalantly attempting to defuse a potentially explosive situation. "I arranged to buy this house a couple of months ago." Slowly, Nabiki turned to look at her husband. Her eyes were slits, her jaw set. It was plain there was a vicious internal struggle taking place within her. "You never asked *me*, Jeffrey," she growled. "I have to live here, too, you know. You should have at least *shown* it to me." Jeff swallowed hard and and looked at her like a wounded puppy. Since their marriage, Jeff had developed into more of a coward when it came to his wife; refusing to confront or challenge her on many important things surrounding their union. More often than not, he simply acquiesced to Nabiki's desires. This was one of those points of contention he feared. It was a clash of cultures, struggle of wills, and collision of personalities. Jeff had already lost. "You don't like it." Jeff began his retreat early. He didn't like fighting with Nabiki; it always left him psychologically battered. "I didn't say that." Nabiki snarled. "Don't put words in my mouth, Jeffrey." She was breathing faster - like she was on the verge of a violent explosion. Jeff began to have the same feeling of danger as the night she slapped him back in Nerima. The little boy in him tried to run but was physically restrained by his shinobi maturity - for now. "Just take a look at it." Jeff offered as he opened his door. He was hoping Nabiki would follow his lead without a fight. "If you don't like it, we'll make other arrangements." "That's not the point, Jeffrey, and you know it." For only a moment, a vicious war erupted within Jeff Lawrence. The forces of retreat, long used to having their way, were battling Jeff's pre-shinobi trained emotions. Without warning, Jeff slammed the door shut, his eyes squeezed shut in frustration. In spite of this, his voice was controlled and calm. "Nabiki, I've put up with this nonsense for almost two months," He was looking straight ahead; fearful of even facing his wife. Fearful of what he might really say. "You've insulted me, belittled me, shouted at me, even struck me, and I've put up with it all. Now I provide us with shelter and all you can do is snap at me for not consulting you first. You're right. As usual." He practically spit out the last. "I'm sorry but I don't think I deserve this." He finally worked up enough anger to look at his wife. What he saw instantly drained him. Nabiki, face buried in her hands, was sobbing silently. Her body uncharacteristically shaking with the emotional release of her tears. Leaning forward, resting his head on the steering wheel, Jeff tendered his apologies. "Aw, jeez, Nabiki. I'm sorry..." He sighed audibly. For several minutes the silence in the car was broken only by the sounds of Nabiki's occasional sniffs. Jeff remained still with his head resting on the steering wheel, his hands gripping the wheel tightly and his eyes closed; seriously wishing he were somewhere else. The sound of Nabiki's door opening broke the spell. Jeff's head tilted enough for him to look her way in surprise. He saw his wife step silently out of the Jeep and head towards the house. Jeff, worried but hopeful, quickly exited the Jeep and hurried to follow his wife. As he caught up with her, he cautiously slipped an arm around her waist and gently tried to hug her lithe body to his. At first, she hesitated, unsure and a little ashamed of her earlier behavior, before leaning lightly against her husband, her head rolling with relief against his shoulder in quiet penitence. "I'm sorry, Nabs." Jeff lamented barely above a whisper as he gently kissed the top of her head. She had done it to him again. Every time he tried to assert himself, she cut him down with practiced strokes. This 'argument' hurt as much as any; leaving him emotionally bruised and battered - but still very much in love with his wife. They stopped at the front door and stood silently. Nabiki sniffed once and hugged her husband, burying her face in his shoulder. A light breeze caressed them, its sound a Hawaiian welcome home. "It's a nice house," she hesitantly replied in a small, embarrassed voice. She was aware of her mood swings; actions that scared her in their unpredictability and lack of control. This last clash frightened her more than any before. It was something she desperately wished to contain and control. With a renewed sense of optimism, Jeff led the quiet Nabiki on a tour of their new home. She was impressed but uninterested in the modern kitchen, bemused at the oversized master bedroom, pleased with the Japanese style bath, and delighted with her private office, complete with a sophisticated computer system. Almost excitedly, her earlier behavior forgotten, she hugged her husband. She had something she always valued in a home; a place to call her own. A place where she could pursue whatever venture she chose. A place to build her own fortune. She hugged Jeff again, sniffing back a new round of tears, this time caused by the realization of just how lucky she had been in choosing this unpredictable gaijin with a shinobi past. Jeff just held his wife remembering all the reasons he married her in the first place. He was grateful at having survived another Nabiki assault and prayed that he wouldn't have to endure very many more. Neither slept well that night, especially Nabiki. Both restlessly tossed and turned; he because of the new bed and she from something else - something deeper. Shortly after midnight, Nabiki gave up trying to fall asleep and slipped quietly out of their bed. She hesitated, running her fingers lightly through her hair, before crossing to the open sliding glass door; as if drawn by the sounds of the surf. A cool breeze swept through the opened door, swirling around her light nightgown and caressing her with the fragrances of ocean and tropical vegetation. She stood silently looking at the dark horizon to the west; one hand on the door frame and the other clutching the front of her gown. Casually, she brushed her wind blown hair from in front of her face and grimaced slightly. Somewhere over that horizon was the home she had grown up in; the place where her family were, even now, going through the daily activities she was so familiar with. Ranma was probably running for his life with Akane close behind. Her father and Genma Saotome were, undoubtedly, beginning their latest board game; each secretly plotting how to cheat themselves to victory. Kasumi would be planning the day's meals and preparing her shopping list. Kasumi. Why did the thought of her cause Nabiki so much anxiety and such a warm feeling at the same time? Perhaps she missed her older sister more than any other of her family. For just that moment, she wanted desperately to talk to her Oneechan; to tell her what she was feeling. Something was wrong. Something inside her didn't... feel right. She closed her eyes and battled a very depressing thought - that Jeff was right - that she really was pregnant. A sudden chill caused Nabiki to wrap her arms across her chest and shudder slightly. Was it just the cool air or the added feeling of fear and loneliness? A flicker of homesickness touched her heart briefly and moved on. Its icy fingers causing her to shudder again. She'd never been away from home so long - so permanently. She didn't realize until now just how important the mundane, commonplace things she had grown up with meant to her. She sadly shifted her gaze to the twinkling stars above the horizon and made a little wish. she thought, leaning slightly against the door and hugging herself against the chill. With a spark of indignation, her stubbornness regained control. Her scowl seemed to sever, once again, that symbolic link with her family. With a look of irritation at her earlier emotions, Nabiki shook her head, trying to clear the childish fears she had, and quietly slipped back into bed. Jeff, stirred slightly and draped his arm sleepily over her mid-section. With a small smile, Nabiki took his hand and pressed it lightly against her flat, firm stomach. She didn't know why; it just felt right. That must have worked because it allowed her to finally fall to sleep; enveloped in the love she had always dreamed of. Morning found the couple going through their usual activities; Jeff checking the news on his computer and Nabiki in the bathroom throwing up. Jeff sighed with resignation at the 'cat coughing up a hairball' sounds coming from the master bath. This morning sickness was going to have to be addressed. Like it or not, Nabiki was going to have to face the prospects. Moments later, as she crossed the hallway heading for the kitchen, Jeff decided the time had come. "Nabiki," he called to his wife. "Can we talk?" "Sure," she answered from the kitchen. "What about?" Jeff eased himself out of his chair and slowly walked into the kitchen. Nabiki was pouring herself some orange juice. That, in itself, wasn't so unusual. The fact she was pouring the juice over a bowl of sugar frosted flakes, was. He decided the direct approach was inadvisable for the moment and took another direction with his questioning. "You're not cooking breakfast?" he asked with raised eyebrows. "No." "Don't know how?" "No. I choose not to. Why don't *you* cook?" Jeff sighed. "All I know how to cook are American breakfasts." Nabiki wrinkled her nose at the prospect of bacon and eggs. Munching on a spoonful of frosted flakes marinated in orange juice, she offered an alternative. "How about we eat out? I hear McDonalds serves breakfast here in America." It was Jeff's turn to wrinkle his nose. Somehow, what passed for breakfast under the golden arches didn't sound too appetizing at the moment. Nabiki had yet to learn that 'fast' and 'food' didn't always go together... especially at breakfast. "I guess breakfast isn't what I wanted to talk about." Jeff nervously thumbed the back of a kitchen chair. His panic fighting for control. "Then why did you ask?" Nabiki's eyes were wide as she continued to crunch her way through her bowl of flakes. It was then Jeff noticed the mini-marshmallows floating in the bowl. As he thought of the strange combination, it almost made *him* sick. "It's about your... ah... problems in the morning." Jeff struggled to correctly identify and address his wife's daily ritual. "It's just a bug I got back in Japan." Nabiki stopped chewing and gave her husband a hard look. "Nothing else." "Have you talked to anyone about this?" "I mentioned it to Doctor Tofu before we left." She squirmed slightly in her seat as she used her spoon to pick at the bobbing lumps of sugar in her bowl. "And..." "You know Japanese doctors. They never tell you everything they know." She looked at her husband with clear irritation. "Why?" "Well, I've had a talk with Tofu myself..." his voice trailed off. This was not going the way he had hoped it would. His panic started to gain the upper hand. He began to sweat. Nabiki already knew where he was going and quickly moved to cut him off. "I am NOT pregnant!" She slammed her spoon down into the bowl creating a tiny orange tsunami that left frosted flakes and marshmallows all over the table. "How do you know?" Jeff was partially relieved that the issue was finally out in the open. "I'm a woman. We *know* these things." Jeff just threw up his hands and started to leave. Two steps were all he took before turning back around. They had had this argument before and he had always abandoned the field before its resolution. He had always proved his cowardice in the face of his wife. This time it would be different. This time he was going to finish what he started. "Nabiki, that's ridiculous." "Yeah? Have *you* ever been pregnant?" She shot back smugly. "No. Have you?" Nabiki's mouth opened and quickly closed without answering. Glaring at her husband she debated the many violent responses at her disposal. Jeff sensed his advantage and quickly moved the discussion to closure. "Nabiki, without checking, how would you know for sure?" "I'm *not* going to a doctor." she flatly refused. <*That's* how all this got started.> she bitterly thought to herself. "You don't have to." Jeff was becoming frustrated, even in his victory. "You can buy a testing kit at the store and find out here 'in the privacy of your own home'." Nabiki shot Jeff a disgusted look. "What? They have those in Japan. I've seen them." Jeff returned her disgusted look. "I'm surprised you didn't know that." "Maybe because *I* never needed to use one." They glared at each other for several seconds. Jeff was holding his own. Not since the first wedding had he felt enough confidence to openly confront Nabiki. He liked the feeling. "Look, let's end this debate. I'll just run down to the drug store and buy you a kit. You can check for yourself. If you're not pregnant, we can try something else. OK?" For a few seconds Nabiki crushed cereal flakes on the table with her spoon. "Oh, all right," she finally snarled. "If it'll get you to stop pestering me about... you know." She dismissed Jeff with a wave of her hand. Relieved that violence had been avoided, and still reeling from the sight of Nabiki's 'breakfast', Jeff quickly departed for the nearest drug store. Just after Jeff's departure, Nabiki pushed back from the table and stared down at her belly button. "You *better not* be in there," she growled. Outside of a few snide remarks and a knowing wink from the teenaged clerk, the trip was uneventful and Jeff returned quickly with a standard home pregnancy testing kit. Nabiki, now dressed in a loose yukata, snatched the kit from Jeff's hand and stared at the instructions. For several minutes, she struggled with the English words until Jeff couldn't take watching her any more. He gently eased the box out of her limp fingers and started to translate the instructions. Needless to say, both were embarrassed by the explicitness of it all. "I could have figured it out myself," Nabiki pouted. "My English isn't *that* bad." "Well, Nabs, my dear, your English certainly got us this far." Jeff fought back a tiny smile. Good thing too. Considering Nabiki's current disposition, a smile could have been fatal. Humor was no longer a defense against Nabiki's wrath. Snatching back the box, Nabiki disappeared into the bathroom. She knew enough of the instructions to complete the disgusting test. At first, she toyed with the idea of just dipping the device in plain water to prove she wasn't pregnant to her husband. That idea quickly gave way to her own secret desire to know the truth. All she had been going through the last two months was certainly more than a 'virus'. Jeff settled back in his chair and did a little channel surfing with the TV remote. Nothing really caught his attention as his mind kept wandering to how their lives would change if Nabiki really was pregnant. He wasn't ready to become a father just yet and felt certain Nabiki wasn't prepared to assume the responsibilities of motherhood. Of the three Tendo sisters, only Kasumi seemed to him the type that would eventually have children. He mused how she would probably make a good mother, too. Nabiki, on the other hand... He shuddered at the thought. he thought with despair. Further thoughts were derailed by the tiny sound Nabiki made in the hallway. Jeff turned and was immediately sobered by what he saw. Nabiki, glassy-eyed, slumped wearily against the wall, her trembling hand holding the test kit. "I'm... I'm... pregnant." She sounded like a ghost and looked almost as pale. She also looked like she was about to cry again. "Nabs, that's wonderful!" Jeff leapt to his feet and quickly scampered over to take his wife in his arms. She didn't resist as he gently folded her into an embrace. Instead, she buried her face in his chest and began sobbing. "I don't want to be pregnant," she moaned, her body shuddering. "I've got things to do - a life to live. Jeffrey, I DON'T WANT TO BE PREGNANT!" The last pronouncement was punctuated by her fist striking his chest hard enough to make him wince. "Now dear," Jeff tried to reason. "You once told me every child is a gift." She wasn't buying it. "Why me? Why now? I finally get everything I want. I finally get a chance to do the things I've always wanted; to live the life I've always dreamed of..." She sobbed again. "Now THIS has to happen! Jeffrey, I DON'T WANT TO BE PREGNANT!" Their eyes met as she looked up at him and Jeff could clearly see the fear and, even, panic in her. He gulped hard, closed his eyes and dreaded what he was about to propose. "Nabiki, if you feel that strongly..." he bit his tongue trying to keep from suggesting what he was about to suggest. He hated himself for even thinking such a thing but the happiness and well being of his wife came first. His voice lost all its emotion. "There... there are things that can be done... about being pregnant, I mean." he practically whispered the last. He never felt so rotten as that moment holding his unwillingly pregnant wife. Nabiki's head snapped up, stunned by his suggestion. She knew exactly what he meant. For several seconds, she stared at her husband in shock. While it was true that abortion was the second most used contraceptive method in Japan, it was also the most feared procedure to a Japanese woman. Many believed that it condemned the soul of the baby to wander the earth for all eternity, alone and unloved, searching for its mother. It was the kind of thing that had driven other women mad with remorse. Abruptly, Nabiki's demeanor changed. Her hands flew to her husband's throat. "You'd have me KILL MY BABY!" she screamed as she slammed Jeff's head against the wall hard enough to cause him to see stars. Her maternal instincts kicked in and she was now defending the life she carried. No one, could fight for their child like a Tendo. Nabiki struck her husband with repeated blows of fear and frustration, her eyes screwed tightly shut, tears flowing freely. It was all his fault. HE got her pregnant. HE brought all this upon her. "I thought you... I mean..." Jeff was stumbling for words and trying to clear his aching head. To protect himself from further injury, he held his wife in a tight enough embrace to keep her from continuing her physical assault. His superior strength and conditioning quickly gained control. Her struggles became weaker and weaker. Her hands went from fists for striking to clutching embrace as rationality slowly seeped back into her body. As they clung to each other, their bodies slowly slid to the floor where Jeff came to rest sitting with his back to the wall and Nabiki curled up in his lap, still crying over the shock and injustice of it all. Every now and then, she would sob: "I don't want to be pregnant." and slap her fist against her husband's chest. Jeff continued to hold his wife and tried to reason with her. "You can still go to school, handle your investments, run your businesses. Having a child shouldn't stop you." Nabiki slowly turned her tear-stained eyes towards her husband. "But I don't *want* to be a mother. I don't know *how* to be a mother." she whimpered. "Jeffrey, I *can't* do this." Jeff stroked his wife's hair lightly and softly suggested: "WE can do this, Nabiki." Wrong answer. "Oh, that's easy for *you* to say," she moaned sadly. "*You* don't have to carry it for nine months. *You* don't have to go through all the discomfort. *You* don't have to give birth." "I'll be there with you, Nabs," he tried to reassure her. Another wrong answer. "I *don't* need... anyone," she growled, her anger beginning to rise again. "I survived my mother's death. I survived ten years of supporting my family. I survived the Saotome's and all the damage they caused." She practically spit out the last. "And I did it all without *anyone's* help." She shot Jeff a look of defiance and repeated her first claim: "I don't need anyone's help". "Not even mine?" Nabiki hesitated. It suddenly occurred to her she was far from her home and family. Jeffrey was all she had. Her response was to silently grip her husband tighter. Jeff sighed. "Nabiki, we're getting a little ahead of ourselves here. We need to get you to a real doctor who can do a real pregnancy test on you and we can find out if you really are pregnant. I mean, those test kits *are* sometimes wrong." Nabiki only weakly nodded her agreement. Both knew the truth. The kits were rarely wrong in the affirmative. Nabiki really was pregnant. The rest of the weekend went by slowly, Nabiki spending most of her time in the bedroom, laying down and watching TV. Her English was improving but that was about all that could be said. Jeff used his contacts from the country club, namely Doctor Stanley Wiseman, head of obstetrics at the local hospital, to arrange for an appropriate doctor for his wife. Stanley, while amused at his young friend's situation, quickly came to the conclusion that there was only one doctor for a woman like Nabiki, Doctor Bridget Engman. Jeff liked the sound of a woman doctor for his wife and felt certain that Nabiki would agree. Stanley made a quick phone call and the appointment was set for first thing Monday morning. As first meetings go, that first appointment proved to be a harbinger of things to come. As Doctor Engman entered the room, Jeff got the impression he was dealing with a no-nonsense young physician who had more experience than her years. Jeff quickly took stock of his wife's new physician. She was shorter than Nabiki, had long, honey-colored hair that was pulled back in a ponytail and wore half-lens glasses balanced on the end of her nose. Jeff proved his maturity by demonstrating his advanced case of 'foot-in-mouth' disease. "So, you're the doctor," Jeff quipped. "And you're the father," Doc Engman dryly observed. "... of the baby," Jeff finished. "I figured you weren't grandpa, kid." "Well, I..." Jeff never got a chance to respond as Doctor Engman quickly moved on to Nabiki. "So, I'm told you're feeling a little pregnant," the doctor quipped with a friendly smile as she started with the general portion of the exam by listening to Nabiki's heart. "Hai... yes," Nabiki struggled with her English. She didn't like being unable to speak the local language freely. It caused her to feel like an outsider - a gaijin - herself. "We use test at home." "We used a home pregnancy test kit I got at the drug store," Jeff tried to inject himself into the discussion. "I *know* what she meant," Dr. Engman said almost tiredly, looking over her glasses at Jeff. That one look gave Jeff the impression that his presence was no longer required. "Would you rather I waited outside?" Jeff sheepishly asked. "Perhaps it would be best if you did. Things would go easier if your wife and I did this alone," she replied absently while returning to the examination. "Fine...," Jeff almost mumbled. He wanted to stay, he wanted to know, but felt his presence was clearly unwanted. "I'll just... out there." "Yes, do," Doctor was beginning to sound irritated. "Yeah, that's a... good... " He was rambling now, fiddling with the door knob. Like a child who didn't want to go to bed, Jeff was stalling - putting off the inevitable. Nabiki finally had enough. Leaning around the doctor she barked: "Jeffrey. GO!" Feeling suitably dismissed, Jeff retreated to the waiting room. He tried to distract himself with six month old women's magazines. Not the best of ideas. Half the stories were about how to keep your figure after having a baby. The rest were how rotten it is to be pregnant and how the father is an idiot because he didn't have a clue how rotten it really is. All of which, made him more nervous than he already was. Thirty minutes later, Nabiki emerged from the examination room with Dr. Engman, a resigned look on her face. Whatever happened, Nabiki was not much happier than when she arrived. "You okay, Nabs?" he anxiously asked. "Hai." Her voice was soft, almost yielding. "I'm really pregnant." She still sounded sad at the revelation. Jeff scowled in his confusion. This was supposed to resolve the issue. Instead, she seemed no better off than before. Dr. Engman, however, wore the expression of a person completely in control of the situation. Perhaps it was because she had seen hundreds of such cases; all scared, nervous, and unsure of what to expect from their first pregnancy. She specialized in the difficult cases; the young, the scared, those with language barriers. Nabiki fit all three. "So, we can go home now?" he asked with an unsure cock of his head. Dr. Engman smiled to herself and suggested that Nabiki go an talk to her nurse about managing her diet during the pregnancy. She wanted a few minutes alone with the father. Once inside the doctor's office, Dr. Engman made her case. "Mr. Lawrence, I believe there are a few things we need to talk about." She leaned back against her cluttered desk and crossed her arms. "You're young, you're recently married, and now you're about to become a father. I'm concerned as to just how ready you are for this?" She leveled her most serious look at Jeffrey. She was used to dealing with reluctant fathers - when her patients came with fathers. This probe was just to determine if Jeff fit such a title. "I'm not really sure." His sheepish reply and the rubbing of the back of his head told Dr. Engman all she needed to know. "It's all so.. sudden." Dr. Engman chuckled softly to herself. she thought. She'd heard it all before. Young couple, about to become parents for the first time, totally unprepared for what they were going to experience. "I can pay for whatever..." Jeff began. Bad move. Dr. Engman was totally unimpressed with Jeff's wealth. "You think money is the solution to everything?" she asked in a shocked voice. "No... I just mean..." Jeff failed to put into words his objections. In 'normal' society he was always struggling with having to explain his wealth. He hated it. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. Money or not, he was still the same person. It was one of those things they forgot to warn him about. "Your friend Dr. Wiseman has told me all about you. Your life, your marriage, and your sudden wealth. So, we can dispense with the crap, kid." She sounded a little peeved and looked even more so. She was too used to working with the poor and underprivileged. Faced with two young people with all the advantages, she too was struggling with a bit of adjustment. "Your basic problem is no different than anyone else's." She locked Jeff with a stern look. "You have a scared first time mother out there. What she needs is no different from any other pregnant woman; love, support, and understanding. THAT is your principal job for the next seven months. Do you understand?" That admonishment stung Jeff like a slap. He felt his tenuousness being quickly replaced by his own irritation. "I've been loving, supporting, and understanding her for the last two months... longer if you count the courtship," Jeff replied with a hurt but defiant look. "I have bent so many directions supporting and understanding her, people have begun to question my backbone. Marriage has been a big adjustment for Nabiki - for us both. You have no idea what I've had to endure just to keep this marriage together. YOU are the last person who needs to lecture me on those issues." He glared at the doctor for a few seconds before adding: "I only mentioned the money because I want what's best for Nabiki - whatever it costs." A pregnant pause gave Dr. Engman time to reassess the young Mr. Lawrence. He was certainly not what she expected. He was kind, concerned, and loved his wife but, most importantly, didn't seem to have let his money go to his head. Dr. Engman's tone softened. "You've known about her pregnancy for two months?" "Almost," he walked over to the window and looked out. "Let's just say, *I* believed she was pregnant. I couldn't prove it, of course, but her family doctor back in Japan agreed with me. Until today, I've not been able to convince *her*." "Well, well," she replied under her breath, almost genuinely impressed. It was beginning to look like she was dealing with an unusual couple. "Has she always been so stubborn?" "You don't know the half of it, doc. She's a Tendo. I think they invented stubbornness. At least they have the Far East patents." Gently, Dr. Engman placed her hand on Jeff's shoulder. She now understood what Jeff had been through the last two months and was visibly impressed with the fact he refused to give up on his wife. "You really do love her, don't you?" Jeff only nodded. he asked himself. If he only knew... The ride home was considerably quieter, the silence broken only by the occasional small talk. "I suppose we better let the rest of the family know," Jeff commented offhandedly. "Hai," Nabiki replied softly. She still didn't like the idea of being pregnant; of bringing another life into this world. It would cut into her personal freedom. Second to owing people, the loss of her personal freedom was high on her list of things she disliked. At home, Nabiki paid a quick visit to the bathroom. Jeff decided to take advantage of the situation and phone his mother of the news. It was almost 5 AM Tokyo time so it came as no surprise that his mother sleepily answered the phone. "Mom, it's me, Jeff." Jeff's opening was less than original. "Oh, Jeffrey. Is there a problem?" she sleepily replied. "Mom, Nabiki's pregnant." "That's wonderful, Jeffrey. I'm sure she's thrilled." Sounding suddenly wide awake. "Mom, we're talking about Nabiki here." "Jeffrey, I'm sure she's taking it well." "Mom, we're talking about Nabiki here." "Well, I'm sure she'll make the adjustments." "Mom, we're talking about..." "Jeffrey, dear. If you say that one more time, I'm going to strangle you through this phone line." She sounded peeved. "Yes, mom." "I get the feeling you want me to come for a short visit to help Nabiki over the first hurdles." "Like you wouldn't believe, mom." "No problem. I'll be on the first plane out this morning, Jeffrey. Don't worry, she'll be fine." "Mom, we're talking..." "Jeffrey, dear, shut up." she interrupted, sounding really irritated. "I'll call you from the airport when I arrive." "Yes, mom. Sorry mom. Bye mom." Nabiki came into the room just as Jeff was hanging up the phone. She looked strangely content. That, alone, was enough to unnerve Jeff but she was also smiling. That, gave him the willies. "You all right?" he asked hesitantly. Her answer was to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into a passionate kiss, practically grinding her body against his. While his mind raced to figure out what was going on, his body took over and responded to his wife's advances. Without breaking the kiss, Jeff scooped her lithe form into his arms and began carrying her back towards the bedroom. "It's been a long time since we've done this," she whispered after breaking the kiss only to resume with nuzzling the base of his neck. "You know I *always* get what I want." What she was doing with her tongue sent shivers up his spine. As Jeff gently placed her on the freshly made bed, he tried to recall the only male oriented article he read in one of the magazines back at Dr. Engman's office. He crawled onto the bed with her as she excitedly attacked his clothes. < Oh, yes. 'Elevated hormones in early pregnancy and how to survive them.' > At that point, his analytical mind took a vacation. The next day dawned as beautiful as any in Hawaii for everyone except Jeff. As planned, Jeff retrieved his mother from the airport when she called. While he was happy to see her, he quickly got the feeling she was a woman on a mission. Arriving home, Mrs. Lawrence wasted no time in dispatching her son. She wanted some time alone with her daughter-in-law. "Jeffrey, dear," she smiled sweetly. "Do you still have those golf clubs your father bought you?" "Yes mom." "Do you still use them?" "Yes mom." "Are you still a member of that fancy country club of yours?" "Yes mom." "Do you remember where it is?" "Mom, are you trying to tell me you want me to leave?" "I always said you were a smart boy, Jeffrey." As she watched his car disappear down the street, Mrs. Lawrence thought: With Jeffrey gone, Nabiki felt strangely vulnerable. She had never had a private conversation with his mother - never been alone with her, period. The idea of their first discussion being the kind of chat a mother usually gave her pregnant daughter unnerved her slightly. "Has your son always been so... glib?" Nabiki shyly asked as she poured her mother-in-law a cup of tea. Not knowing just what else to ask, she started with her best 'small talk'. "It's just his defense mechanism," his mother replied with a smile as she continued to stare out the window. "When he's scared or unsure, he tends to use humor to protect himself." She blushed a little as she turned Nabiki's way. "You know he's really a bit of a coward." Nabiki blinked, a little surprised at the older woman's open honesty about her own son. Nabiki thought back over the last year at all the times Jeff backed down when she confronted him. She always thought it was just because he realized she was right. The thought of a coward for a husband disturbed her. "Well, not a coward in the traditional sense." The older woman sat down and accepted a cup from Nabiki. Her little smile was directed more at the table than her son's wife. "More of a social coward, really. He's always been overly deferential to those he admired..." She suddenly looked Nabiki's way. "...or loved." "Lawrence-senpai..." Nabiki shyly attempted to find a way of responding. "Nabiki, why don't you call me 'mother'... or 'Anne'?" Nabiki stared at Mrs. Lawrence again. It had been many years since she had called anyone 'mother'. She wasn't sure she could ever call anyone that again. "Would 'Anne' be okay?" Nabiki asked softly. Nabiki didn't blush very often. Something in Jeff's mother caused her to blush like an embarrassed school girl. In a way, she almost enjoyed the feeling. "'Anne' will be just fine. Now, let's talk about you. How are you doing?" "Fine, I guess," Nabiki stirred her tea nervously. "A little scared maybe." Only two people on earth could have ever gotten Nabiki to admit her fears; Kasumi Tendo and, now, Anne Lawrence. "That's natural. Having a baby is pretty stressful." Nabiki painfully smiled and nodded. "Still getting sick in the mornings?" "A little." "Keep a few crackers by the bed at night and eat them before you get up. That'll help with the morning sickness. Eating alright?" "I guess." "That's important, you know. And watch out for 'cravings'. They'll destroy a good diet faster than anything. Got a good doctor?" "I think so." "You'll do fine, honey." Anne picked up her tea again, cradling the warm cup in her hands. "Now Jeffrey... that's another problem." "Jeffrey?" Nabiki was suddenly lost. "Jeffrey, sometimes, refuses to face things head on. I guess it's all that 'Shinobi' training of his." Anne took a sip of her tea to focus the rest of what she intended to say. "I'm afraid of just how he's going to handle all this." She sighed audibly and looked hard at her cup. "We didn't do a very good job raising him, I'm afraid. He's still pretty childish." "Jeffrey has been very supportive," Nabiki insisted. "That's good," Anne actually sounded relieved. "He's run away from easier things than being a father, I'm afraid." Nabiki scowled at her own cup. Anne Lawrence was painting a picture of something other than 'marriage in paradise'. Nabiki got an uncomfortable feeling again. "Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't run away from you." Anne took another sip of her tea while watching Nabiki closely for a reaction. "Me?" "You're a strong willed woman - and that's good. I just never imagined my son would find enough courage to even date, much less, marry someone like you." Anne made the whole line of conversation sound so mundane. Like she was discussing some stranger instead of her only son. "I was quite skeptical when he described you the first time. I thought he was... making a mistake." Nabiki's stunned look prompted Anne Lawrence to complete her thoughts. "Since I've gotten to know you, I think Jeffrey made a wise choice. "I love Jeffrey," was Nabiki's only reply. "And I think Jeffrey loves you too. I just want you to be aware of what he's capable of. He's scared right now. He sometimes does regrettable things when he's scared." Anne looked apologetically at her daughter-in-law. Admitting the truth about her son was always difficult - more so because she was admitting it to his wife. "I'm not worried. I can take care of myself." "Good. Then we have nothing to worry about." Anne Lawrence actually seemed to relax with that resolution. Nabiki was a tough girl. She would need to be over the coming months if she was going to survive both her own pregnancy and her husband's reaction to it. The rest of that afternoon was spent discussing pregnancy, being a good American wife, and how to deal with Jeffrey; all subjects Anne Lawrence was knowledgeable about. By the end of the day, Nabiki had gained new respect for Jeff's mother. She especially like the prospects of having a real mother to talk to again - someone who would be brutally honest when necessary but still offered the warmth and love only a mother could give. Jeff's arrival at the country club was greeted like... well, nobody actually noticed. As it was Wednesday, Dr. Wiseman was already out on the driving range. The rest of Jeff's usual foursome were scattered throughout the club house. Tony Johnston, Australian entrepreneur, was in the bar closing another deal on his cell phone. Jeff could only guess where in the world Tony was connected to. He had business in more countries than Jeff. Jeff mused as he watched the animated Aussie make his points over the phone. Jeff was glad he never had to do business with the guy. Jeff found the last of his foursome down in the locker room. James Bateman, local attorney, was trying on his new golf shoes. Spotting Jeff, he became his usual talkative self. "Jeffrey, what do ya think?" He held up one of the shoes and wiggled it like Exhibit A. Jeff blinked and paused before answering, not wishing to offend his friend. "Jim, they're yellow." he cautiously pointed out. "No no no, they're high visibility, all weather, state of the art golfing footwear. Guaranteed to protect me from the elements while providing me with the visibility to be seen even in the dimmest light." He finished with a grin that looked like he just made his best case to the jury. "Jim, they're still yellow," Jeff insisted in a monotone as he crossed his arms and leaned against a locker. "True." The barrister finally admitted with a sheepish grin. "Ugly bastards, aren't they?" "Where did you get them?" "My wife, Kei, bless her heart." Jim sighed with resignation as he looked at his gaudy footwear. "She thought I needed some new golf shoes." Jim had also married a Japanese girl; an athletic little bundle of energy that participated in and often excelled at just about every sport she could find. She was also a sucker for every sport 'gimmick' on the market. Sometimes inflicting her naivete on her husband. Still, it gave him and Jeff something in common to talk about; surviving marriage to a Japanese woman. After rounding up his 'gang', suitable caddies, and enough liquid refreshment to last 9 holes, the game was on. Right away, Jeff got the impression that this was *not* going to be one of their usual rounds. "So, your wife is pregnant," Dr. Wiseman said nonchalantly while taking a few practice swings at the first tee. The reaction from the others was... underwhelming. "Pregnant? Who's pregnant?" Tony asked, interrupting his latest phone conversation only long enough to figure out which conversation was the most interesting. Nabiki's condition won, hands down. "I'll call you back, Stan. Something's come up." he barked into his phone before terminating the connection. "Heh, I knew you had it in you kid," Jim smirked. "By the way, a dollar a hole and no halves, right?" Like a good lawyer, he wanted to make sure everybody understood the rules before he teed off. Four holes and 4 lost golf balls went by before the first attempts at advice began. "How'd the meeting with Dr. Engman go?" Dr. Wiseman casually asked as he and Jeff walked down the fairway. "Ok, I guess," Jeff suddenly became very aware of the fact he was younger, in some cases much younger, than the three people he was playing golf with. "I'm not sure she likes me." Stanley just laughed. "Son, I don't think Dr. Engman likes *any* fathers. She treats them all like the cause of some horrible disease - pregnancy. Good with the mothers, though." "Just so they don't choose up sides against me," Jeff muttered. "Don't worry, kid. Engman's a good doctor. If anybody can handle that iron butterfly you married, it's Dr. Bridget Engman." "It's not Nabiki I'm worried about." "Well... You'll have to endure a few shots to your ego. But I suspect you're big enough to take it." "I hope you're right. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a father." "Who ever is?" The game progressed and Jeff soon found himself walking with Jim Bateman. Attorneys still made him nervous. "So, Nabiki acting strange yet?" "Strange?" "You know, weird cravings, mood swings, outbursts of temper - stuff like that." He opened his second can of beer. "All of the above." "Ah, good. Now comes the best part." "Best part." "Marital troubles." "What?!?!?" "Just kidding. Geez, you're so touchy." Bateman lined up a shot, poorly, and hit the ball, equally poorly. It bounced twice and landed in a sand trap. "Mulligan?" he called out. "No way!" "You're crazy." "Dad was right," he sighed. "I should have been a doctor. More time on the golf course." "I heard that," yelled Dr. Wiseman from across the fairway. They'd had this debate before and Stanley wasn't going to let the younger attorney get away with such slander. "Well, it's true," Jim yelled back. "You spend more time in golf lessons than I do in court." He shifted his attention to the fourth member of their group. "Tony, dammit, put the phone down and hit the ball." Tony scowled across the fairway at his tormentor. All watched as Tony Johnston carefully placed his phone on the ground, hit a perfect shot onto the green, deftly picked up the phone and resumed his conversation. "Lucky shot," mumbled the lawyer. "How, the hell, does he do that?" By the 6th hole, the sound of Tony's phone interrupted Jim as he lined up his tee shot. "Dammit Tony. Can't you go just a few minutes without that thing?" Tony ignored Jim's irritation and answered his phone. Seconds later he interrupted Jim again. "It's *your* secretary, Della. She wants to know if you've heard from your partner, Perry. She needs to find him." Jim held his arms heavenward. "Why me?" "Because you're a flippin barrister and ya owe us six dollars already." "Six dollars? How the hell did I get down six dollars so quick?" "'Cause you're playin like crap, sport." Jim just slapped his forehead. Jeff really didn't notice as he was lost - looking off towards the club house - thinking about Nabiki. He had hoped this golf game would take his mind off his wife's pregnancy. It had just the opposite effect; he was more apprehensive now than ever before. What's worse, he became acutely aware of the fact he was playing golf with three guys who made him feel like a kid amongst adults again. A quick check of his caddy confirmed his worst fears. On top of being scared and confused, he was probably still the youngest person on the golf course. [Month 4 - The Lamaze Class] Dr. Engman insisted Jeff and Nabiki attend a Lamaze childbirth class, taught at the hospital, to better prepare Nabiki for giving birth. Neither Jeff nor Nabiki really wanted to attend; Jeff was just too busy and Nabiki thought the whole thing a waste of time. Nabiki was beginning to show, her waistline expanding enough to necessitate her first set of maternity clothes. She didn't like the change. It only confirmed for all to see the very thing Nabiki hated most; the fact she was very pregnant. All this exacted a hefty price between them. As the baby grew, so did their arguments. They arrived at the class with their obligatory pillow and blanket. Shown to a place on the floor, they took up casual but uncomfortable positions. Looking around the room, they noticed immediately that they were easily the youngest couple there. They were also eliciting occasional looks of pity. Obviously, some had determined that Jeff and Nabiki were a couple of kids who 'got in trouble' but decided to have the baby anyway. Little did they know. "Hi," came a friendly voice from behind. Nabiki and Jeff cautiously turned to face a young yuppie couple; easily in their mid-20's. Jeff just nodded with an embarrassed smile. "My name is John." The stranger stuck out his hand. "And this is my 'significant other', Caroline." He indicated the very pregnant woman with him. "Charmed," she chirped with a thick Australian accent while holding a limp wrist in Jeff's direction. "Significant other?" Nabiki thought out loud. The English language continued to reveal its intricacies a little each day, sweeping poor Nabiki along in total confusion as it went. "We decided to forgo the phony, materialistic, ostentatious, pseudo-religious costume playacting with all its superstitious nonsense that is nothing more than the disgusting bonding of a female into slavery to some hormone driven barbarian for our own personal, free-will declarations of intent to each other." Caroline seemed to take some perverse pride in her declaration of yuppie independence. "Isn't that right, poopsie?" She cooed towards John. "Right you are, sweetie-cakes," John cooed back before doing an exaggerated cuitsie-kiss. Nabiki just looked away with a thoroughly sick look on her face. "Jeffrey, am I to understand these two are not married?" she finally asked Jeff in Japanese. "It would appear so, my wife," Jeff replied in Japanese while trying to maintain his friendly smile. "And she's having his baby?" "Looks that way." "That's disgusting!" she hissed under her breath. Only Jeff's look of disapproval kept her from voicing to the couple her feelings on the matter. Oblivious to Nabiki's scorn, John quickly whipped out a small camcorder and began taping Caroline as she assumed her place on the floor next to Nabiki and posed for the camera. Nabiki tried to scoot away from the annoying Australian. Unfortunately, not fast enough. Caroline reached out and pulled a reluctant Nabiki into the picture too. Nabiki's face took on a distinct snarl, kinda like a dog would do just before biting. "Smile dear." Jeff was trying to smile himself; hoping to humor the annoying couple until they latched on to someone else. At least, that was the hope. Nabiki's response was a positively lethal look Jeff's direction. "If this woman doesn't take her hands off me," Nabiki growled to Jeff in Japanese. "I'll find out where she does her banking and..." "Now, Nabs," Jeff cautioned in Japanese. "There's no need to go that far. We could just invite Akane over to cook for them." Nabiki's scowl suffered a fleeting smile before resuming its hard look. As long as it was a private joke, Akane's ineptness in the kitchen was fair game. Still, Akane *was* her sister. "You know, John is going to be a very famous writer some day," Caroline said conspiratorially while leaning over towards Nabiki. "He's the one who wrote the article in the University of Hawaii literature review about how the 'Star Wars' trilogy paralleled the American war for independence." She looked lovingly at John who peeked out from behind the camera just long enough to make a kissy face at Caroline. Nabiki just held her hand over her mouth and made a face like she was about to 'hurl'. Jeff rubbed Nabiki's back soothingly while trying to continue looking interested. Fortunately, the teacher decided then was a good time to begin the class. "Ok, everybody." The instructor in her maternity nurses uniform smiled at her students like a kindergarten teacher the first day of school. "I'm Nurse Jeanne and we're all here to learn how to have a baby. Isn't that exciting?" She sounded cute... too cute for her own good. Nabiki was *not* in a good mood. Caroline and John had seen to that. "The first thing we need to learn is that baby's are cute." "Babies make us want to cuddle and coo." "Babies fill our lives with love." As the class progressed, Nabiki was doing alright with the language with only occasional needs of translation from Jeff. Each time Jeff's help was required, Nurse Jeanne would stop with her plastic smile securely in place and wait until Jeff and Nabiki finished their exchange. Sometimes their discussion took on aspects of a debate when Nabiki disagreed with Jeff's interpretation of what Nurse Jeanne had said. In any case, the room began to *feel* like a kindergarten. Nurse Jeanne decided to take the first break early. "Pretty exciting, huh?" Caroline nudged an already irritated Nabiki - dangerous move that. "Your first?" She pointed to Nabiki's midsection. Outside of such a gesture being an aggressive insult in Japan, 18 year old Nabiki struggled with an appropriate response on the age issue alone. John kept his video camera going throughout the break, several times catching an incredulous looking Nabiki. "So, Jeff, are you going to video tape the birth?" he asked merrily. Nabiki's 'look' warned Jeff to be careful with his answer. Too bad he missed the warning. "Naw, we figured after all the tape we shot of the conception... [oooof]" Nabiki's elbow in her husband's midsection ended his explanation. Her lethal 'look' warned him of the penalties for any further nonsense. As John and Caroline exchanged a quick look of apprehension, Jeff and Nabiki launched into a Japanese argument that sounded like something you'd hear in a Japanese school yard. Eventually, Nurse Jeanne resumed the class, deciding to begin with a few do's and don'ts. All seemed well until she mentioned the part concerning no sex after the mother's water breaks. Jeff couldn't help himself. Raising his hand slowly, he asked: "Excuse me. But has this proven to be a problem? I mean, what kind of idiot would do something like that?" His look of surprise was aborted by another jab from Nabiki. At that point, the pair lapsed into *another* argument in Japanese. Nurse Jeanne decided to take *another* break. John and Caroline decided to move to *another* side of the room. [Month 6 - Global war] Reluctantly, Jeff had allowed Nabiki to review some of his companies quarterly reports. It kept her busy and allowed her to do something she always liked doing. Sounded innocent enough. The first indication Jeff had of trouble was a phone call he got at his office. "Jeff, Mr. Gaffney's on the phone." Jeff's secretary, Rachel, stood in the doorway looking concerned. "He really sounds upset." "Gaffney?" "Sean Gaffney, Vice President - South American Operations." Jeff just shrugged and stabbed at the speaker phone button. "Yes, Sean. What can I do for you?" Jeff settled back in his chair to play with an oversized rubber band. He always did that while talking business on the phone. It helped him relax and concentrate. "Mr. Lawrence, you've got to do something about your wife," came a nervous voice through the speaker phone. "What about my wife?" Jeff stopped playing with his rubber band. "She apparently has been going over the quarterly reports of some of our South American companies." "I'm aware of that," Jeff sounded irritated that his pregnant wife got pulled into one of his business discussions. "I've let her audit the reports looking for discrepancies." "Well, apparently, she found one. At Elegante Heavy Industries." "Good for her." He went back to playing with the rubber band. "No sir, you don't understand..." "What don't I understand?" "She ordered the termination of the Accounting Manager at Elegante." "Oh." Jeff stopped playing with the rubber band and began to listen very carefully. "English doesn't translate into Spanish well down here in Peru when spoken by a Japanese native." "Uh-oh." The rubber band made warning noises as Jeff stretched it to the limit. "It seems someone misinterpreted what she said and thought she ordered the firing of the entire accounting staff." At that point, the rubber band broke. "But *that* order got confused and they were going to fire the entire executive staff." "Sean, where is this going?" Jeff asked finally with his cheek planted firmly in his fist, elbow resting on the desk. "The bottom line, sir, is that she wound up firing the entire plant - Putting 2700 people out of work. That raised the Peruvian unemployment rate beyond the acceptable limits of the World Bank who have terminated Peru's credit rating, thereby canceling any further chances they had at getting loans." Jeff just stared at his phone. This couldn't be happening. "Are you there, sir?" "Ah... yeah." "Well, they kinda blame your Japanese wife for all this. In fact, the Peruvian legislature is meeting as we speak to deliberate possible responses to your wife's actions." Sean's voice began to rise as his panic began to assert itself. "You're kidding." "No sir. What should we do?" "Tell them it's a mistake. Nobody's fired. They can all go back to work." "I think it's too late for that, sir. The workers sorta... rioted when they found out and took over the plant. The army was called out... there were some shots fired. Anyway, the army is now in control of the facility and NOBODY's working there." "OK, Sean. Let me find out what I can do about it from here and I'll call you back." "Please hurry, sir. There's an ugly looking crowd gathering outside." Jeff terminated the phone call and yelled for his secretary. "Rachel, get on that fancy computer system of yours and notify every company we have any control over to ignore any instructions my wife may give. I'll explain to them later what's going on." Jeff quickly packed and departed for home. He hadn't gotten three blocks when his car phone rang. It was his secretary again. "Jeff, your father's on the phone. He sounds upset." The strain of having to deal with the fallout of Nabiki's actions beginning to show in her usually calm demeanor. "Put him through," Jeff groaned. "Jeffrey," came his father's irritated voice through the phone. "You better do something about that wife of yours." "Yes, dad." "Peru just got turned down for their World Bank loan. Their economy is in chaos. The State Department is going ballistic. Do you have any idea who just called me?" He didn't wait for Jeff's answer. "The Secretary of State just called me. And let me tell you, young man, he is not a happy person." Jeff recalled this same conversation ten years ago when he accidentally broke the German Ambassador's window with a baseball. Jeff's response hadn't improved with age. "Dad, it's not my fault." "Son, that didn't work then and it's not going to work now. Get control of your wife." "Yes, dad." "And son," "Yes, dad?" "Your mother says: 'Hi'." "Thank you, dad." Jeff fought the urge to rip his phone out of the car and dispose of it in the nearest body of water. At the next stop light, it rang again. "Who now?" Jeff mumbled as he picked up his annoying communications device. "Mr. Lawrence?" came an unfamiliar but official sounding voice. "Yes?" Jeff didn't recognize the voice but felt confident he wouldn't like him, whomever he was. "Mr. Lawrence, I'm Travis Butler, special assistant to the president." "President? President of what?" Jeff was trying to figure out which company was upset now. "THE president." It suddenly became all too clear. "What does he want with me? *I* didn't vote for him. And how did you get this number." "Really, Mr. Lawrence. We ARE the government." Somehow *that* didn't make Jeffrey Lawrence feel very confident. "Mr. Lawrence, you need to take control of your wife." "What?!? Is everybody reading the same script here?!?" Jeff was beginning to get odd looks from folks in other cars. "Mr. Lawrence, Peru has just declared war on Japan." "SO? What could they possibly do to each other? Peru hasn't the means to invade Japan and Japan is pacifist. I mean, if you gotta have a war, *this* is the kind to have." "Mr. Lawrence, I don't think you understand. There will be an eventual choosing up of sides. Already the European Economic Council has sided with Japan. The Russians have indicated their sympathies lie with Peruvian people. The United States has strategic interests in both countries, you know." "Strategic interest in Peru?" "Mr. Lawrence, you obviously don't get the big picture here." "Look, the whole thing's a mistake! An accident!" "That's exactly how wars get started, Mr. Lawrence." "Tell them I'm sorry! We didn't mean it! IT'S NOT MY FAULT!" "That's exactly what your father said you'd say. We'll try to defuse the situation through diplomatic means but it may take time." "I'll help any way I can." "Just do something about your wife, Mr. Lawrence." A loud 'click' signaled the termination of their conversation. Jeff hung up his car phone and fought his rising panic. Somehow, in the last hour, his life had gone from carefree to the focal point of World War 3. He also got the uncomfortable feeling he was going to be audited by the IRS this year. He pulled onto the freeway heading out of town. For two blissful minutes he almost began to believe that the worst was over. Almost. Somewhere near Pearl Harbor, his phone rang again. "Fitting place for an ambush," he mumbled, picking up his new implement of torture. "Hello?" "Jeffrey, I'm hungry." It was his wife. "Hungry?" "Hai, would you pick up a Quarter Pounder with Cheese on your way home? I can't explain it but I've developed a real craving for a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese. Isn't that silly?" "Craving?" Jeff felt his mind slipping. "Hai, it just came on me this morning. Maybe you should buy two. I'm really hungry." "Buy two." His mind drifted further away. "Jeffrey? Are you alright? You don't sound so good." Jeff shook his head to clear his thoughts and decided to ask Helen of Troy a few questions. "Dear, did you make any phone calls today?" "Only to an 800 number to get their free psychic help but all they wanted to do was sell me a psychic help line contract. So, of course, I told them 'NO'." "Nobody else?" "Well..." Nabiki paused as she reviewed her day. "Oh yes, I discovered that lazy accounting manager from Elegante was two days late filing his quarterly report. I also found two errors that were just inexcusable. Jeffrey, *I* learned how to do books better than that in junior high school. So I called his boss and explained what he had done wrong and suggested that they let him go." "Two... days... late," Jeff almost drove off the road hearing his wife's explanation. "With two errors. Honestly, Jeffrey, with people like that working for you, I'm surprised you're still in business." "Two... errors..." Jeff mumbled back, his mind beginning to slip again. "I can't imagine why you'd put up with this. I figured you were real busy with your other companies so I took care of it for you." "You...took care of it." "Hai. They were most appreciative of my phone call." "I can just imagine." "Jeffrey, will you make that three Quarter Pounders with Cheese. I'm really hungry. Well, gotta go now. My show is back on. Bai Bai." For several seconds, Jeff held the now unconnected phone to his ear, still in shock. He thought incredulously. The sound of his phone ringing again jolted him back to reality. With a groan, he answered once more. "Jeffrey, could you pick up some fries too. But only if they're fresh. I hate when their fries have been sitting around all day. Don't you? Anyway, make it a big order. Eating for two now, you know. Bai Bai." Jeff thought incredulously as he crossed a bridge. Tossing his phone into the bay he grimly thought: As Jeff walked into his house, he was met with the sight of his wife reclining on the sofa, reading aloud from her Economics 101 book. "Dividend - a share in a pro rata distribution (as of profits) to stockholders." She cooed to the mound that was once her trim midsection. Jeff listened for several definitions before his curiosity got the best of him. "Nabiki, what are you doing?" "The lady on television said this is the best way to increase our child's intelligence." Obviously, referring to some cheesy talk show. "Nabs, that's ridiculous. The baby can't hear what you're saying." Jeff dropped his briefcase and held out a McDonalds bag full of Quarter Pounders with Cheese and large french fries. "The lady said it works." Nabiki insisted as she snatched the bag our of Jeff's fingers and started rummaging through its contents. "She wouldn't be on the television if she didn't know what she was talking about. What, no ketchup?" "I'll get it," Jeff said wearily as he started towards the kitchen. "Next we'll learn about stock splits." He could hear Nabiki going back to her Econ lessons. The phone rang and Jeff answered, feeling safe there at home. It was Sean Gaffney again. "Sean, I'm sorry about not getting right back to you. I think we've worked out a solution. The State Department going to deal with this. Sean, you're gonna have to speak up. You sound like you're talking from under your desk. Oh, you *are* talking from under your desk. Yeah, I'm sure those Peruvian mobs can get kinda ugly. No, Sean, I don't think right now is a good time to take your vacation. Somebody has to be there to pick up the pieces. Don't be silly, we don't need somebody to pick up *your* pieces. I'm sure the army will be along shortly to rescue you. Yeah, stay in touch, Sean. Always nice to hear from you." Jeff absently hung up the phone and paused. [Month 8 - Depression squared] The strain of the months began to tell on both Jeff and Nabiki. Nabiki's irritability increased with her waistline. Her sleep was constantly interrupted by the baby's movements and her body began to ache from the constant pressure of the added weight. This didn't help her disposition any. Jeff was less than helpful, his 18 year old emotional state was constantly at war with his shinobi training. Too often, his emotions won out as he found himself repeatedly slipping into arguments with his wife over increasingly trivial things. Arguments he always backed down from; leaving him feeling increasingly frustrated and more like an outsider in his own home. The only refuge he could find was at his fashionable office. So, to avoid his wife, he began to spend more and more time at his place of business. All this did not go unnoticed by Nabiki. At first she tried calling Jeff at his office - carrying the fights beyond their home. But soon, he tired of the phone arguments and had his secretary cover for him, saying he was out or in a meeting. Eventually, Nabiki caught on and made one more phone call, late one evening. "Tendo residence," came the female voice from the other end of the connection. "Akane, it's me, Nabiki," She sounded almost nervous talking to her own sister. "Nabiki? What's wrong?," Akane could tell by her sister's voice this was not really a social call. "Nothing... really," Nabiki hesitated. "Is Kasumi there?" "She went out shopping. She'll be back in a little while. Are you okay?" Nabiki really wanted to talk to her Oneechan. Kasumi had a way of making everything better. She felt certain that the problems she was currently having with Jeff could be easily resolved with her older sister's help. But Nabiki was getting desperate. And desperate times call for desperate measures. There was a long pause before Nabiki finally asked: "Akane, could you come for a short visit? I really need..." "Nabiki, it's my final year of high school. We're preparing for the national tests..." Akane sounded distressed. On one hand, she was currently engulfed in the academic pressure cooker that was the Japanese public school system. Her entire future rested on how well she did on the exams. Oh, sure, she could just give up and become an uneducated, dutiful wife to Ranma. She never really took that option seriously. On the other hand, her sister clearly needed her. That was evident by the fact that Nabiki was uncharacteristically asking for Akane's help. "I suppose if I brought my books with me I could come for a week." "Thank you, Akane," Nabiki sounded relieved. "Things have really changed here...." Her voice trailed off like a bad connection. She wanted to tell her sister more but just couldn't find the words. More to the point, she really didn't like coming to Akane, of all people, for help. She would much rather have Kasumi come; someone who was more of a mother figure. Akane was just her kid sister. "Umm, Nabiki..." Akane hesitated as she poked her way towards an important point of her trip. "Since you showed Kasumi and me how to do the books, we've been doing alright. But I don't think there's money for a plane ticket to Hawaii..." Akane suddenly felt like she was begging. She hated feeling like she was begging - especially to Nabiki. "Don't worry, sis, I'll wire you a ticket." Nabiki grimly chuckled to herself, relieved she was going to have someone to talk to - even if she had to pay for that person's company. She needed someone - someone to replace, if only temporarily, the constantly absent Jeff. The rest of the conversation was about things back home in Nerima. Kuno, never the good student, got into some small college near his home. Yuka and Sayuri both went to the prefectural womens' college, spending most of their time hunting for husbands themselves. Ranma's grades had improved and it now looked like he actually might pass the national exams sufficiently to get him into a college. Akane giggled as she noted the look on his face when he found out that Kuno had passed the exams. It was like a direct challenge to him, and you know how Ranma reacts to challenges. Nabiki felt so much better after talking to her sister, she didn't even notice when Jeff came home (which was just as well, considering they would have only gotten into another childish argument anyway). She was still lost in her little world when Jeff joined her in bed - she on her side and he on his. Mumbled 'goodnights' were all that was said. Another day had passed and the gulf had grown wider. The next day, Jeff found it harder than usual to concentrate. His home life was deteriorating around him at such a rate that he was regretting ever getting his wife pregnant in the first place. As a result, he felt rotten all the time. A point not lost on those around him. Sitting at his desk, he was lost, deep in thought, doodling on a report when his secretary's voice snapped him back to reality. "There's a mister James Bateman on line one. Shall I tell him you're busy and take a message?" She had noticed Jeff's decreased attention and was worried about him. He was a good employer and he paid well. In Hawaii, that combination was definitely something to be protected. Jeff just waved her off with an embarrassed smile and punched the speaker phone button. "Jeffrey," Jim's cheerful voice filled the room. "Long time, no see. Where've you been?" "Busy..." was all Jeff could say in response. His heart clearly not in the discussion. "You alright?" Like any good lawyer, he could tell by Jeff's voice something was wrong. "I'm fine," Jeff lied. Both knew it was a lie. Eighteen year old Jeff Lawrence was less practiced at it than the older barrister. As Jim was also married to a Japanese girl, he knew exactly what the problem was. "It's Nabiki, isn't it?" The long silence at Jeff's end confirmed Jim's supposition. Obviously, there was some damage control to be done here. Jeff hadn't talked to *anyone* about his problems. Growing up a loner, he learned early how to channel inward his frustrations. His shinobi training only taught him how to handle the increased anxiety that such activity caused. Still, he was human. Having someone - anyone - to talk to could just prove to be what the boy needed. "Jim, I don't know what to do," he almost whimpered. "Every time Nabiki and I talk we wind up in an argument. More talk - more arguments. So I stopped talking to her. Now I feel worse than when we were fighting. I mean, I stay at the office until very late, working or just playing computer games, until I'm certain that all I'll have to do when I get home is wash up and go to bed." Jim was no marriage counselor, but even *he* could tell what was wrong. Perhaps, it was all the divorce cases he'd seen. "Have you tried approaching her like you did before you were married?" "I've tried to talk to her..." Jeff sounded more frustrated than ever. "I mean, do you treat her like she's somebody special?" Jim began to sound irritated at his friend's denseness. "I... suppose not," Jeff's voice was barely audible. "Look, Jeffrey, things are not going to get better for you until you start approaching your wife with the same enthusiasm as you did when you were dating. Sure, you have some communications problems right now. But you still love her, right?" "Of course," Jeff sounded shocked at the suggestion. "Then TELL HER... show her... do something!" Jim was right, of course. Jeff knew it. He'd been concentrating on the difficulties they'd experienced in their marriage and not on the things that led them to get married in the first place. He'd violated one of the primary rules of shinobi life - concentrate on that which is important, ignoring the phantoms that are there to weaken you with emotions. "It's almost lunchtime," Jim moved into his summation. "Now get off your butt, buy your wife some flowers, and go home. Take her someplace nice for lunch. Tell her you're sorry and that you've been acting like an idiot. (That won't be too far from the truth.) But most importantly, tell her you love her." "Thanks Jim, I guess I deserved that," Jeff started putting things away in preparation for leaving. "Wait till you get my bill," he chuckled. "Seriously. You're a nice couple. I hate to see something tragic happen because you insist on acting like a kid." Jeff was glad Jim called. If nothing else, he felt better. He quickly shuffled out of the office, pausing only to tell his secretary that he was going home for the day. As he disappeared down the hallway, he didn't see her little smile or notice her slipping a small address book back into her desk drawer. she thought happily to herself. It was noon when Jeff pulled into the driveway at home. Armed with a dozen roses and a resolve to make it up to Nabiki for all the childishness he'd displayed over the last few weeks, he bounded up to the door. Inside, a short search confirmed that his wife was not at home. Disappointed, Jeff put the roses in a water filled vase, absently slid the vase onto a small out of the way table and pondered where she could be. He remembered how Dr. Engman had suggested she get some exercise and walking was a good, low impact exercise for a pregnant mother. Jeff thought back to the first few months of her pregnancy when they used to walk together down in the local park. Figuring that was where she must have gone, he jumped back into the car and drove to the park. "I'll just pick her up and offer to take her to lunch," he thought out loud. "It'll be just like when we were dating... sort of." In spite of driving two complete circuits around the park, Jeff was unable to find his wife. He was just about to give up and search somewhere else when he spied a person with a familiar looking hairdo sitting on a park bench next to, of all places, the playground. Jeff parked the car and slowly approached Nabiki from behind. He could see her absently rubbing her swollen womb and could tell she was talking to herself. He stopped next to the public restrooms, easily within earshot of his wife and did a little eavesdropping. "Look at those children," Nabiki said with some scorn as she watched a couple of pre-schoolers fighting over a swing. "You won't act like that - will you." She rubbed her hand slowly over her belly until she stopped suddenly with a look of irritation. "Don't kick mommy." Nabiki slowly looked up at the trees off to her left. Jeff could see her profile as she stared absently at the swaying palms. She was still beautiful, possibly more beautiful than when he first met her. That made what he'd gone through the last few weeks even more painful. He really did still love her. What he was most afraid of was that she no longer loved him. He leaned against the restroom wall and crossed his arms. He'd lost almost two months of her affection. Two months he could never get back. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right. She deserved better of him. Slowly, he pushed himself away from the restroom wall as if he were going to walk up to his wife. What he heard next caused him to reconsider. "I'm afraid your daddy doesn't love me any more," she said with a sigh and tinge of sadness in her voice. "He's never home. We never talk. I don't think he even wants to see me. I'm just a fat, ugly burden to him." She paused to look down at her stomach briefly. A small smile spread over her face. "How would you like to be born in Japan? I'll bet my daddy would let me move back home to have you." Jeff seemed to sag against the wall. She really *was* thinking of leaving him. "I don't need Jeffrey," she growled, her face taking on the firm-jawed pout Jeff had become familiar with over the last few months. "I don't need anybody like him. Your Aunt Akane is coming in a week and I'm going to ask her to get daddy's permission for me to move back home. We'll have daddy, your Aunt Akane and, especially, your Aunt Kasumi to help take care of you. Then *I* can go back to school, pick up where I left off with my businesses, and make a life of my own. I was stupid to think I could find happiness with someone else. Remember that, kid," She looked down at her unborn baby once again. "You can only depend on yourself." Slowly and in shock, Jeff melted back towards the parking lot and his car. It was true. She *was* actually going to leave him. Once again, his panic and anger started to take control. In doing so, it warped his perception of the truth. He'd stood by her, supported her, loved her and she was now going to abandon him for her family in Japan. He never felt so betrayed in his life. he bitterly thought as he climbed back into his car. Jeff had just driven away when Nabiki finished with her self pity. "I can't do that to your daddy," she shook her head sadly as her hand slowly traveled down her mound. "I guess some of the fights are my fault. Well, maybe more than some. I still do love him so. What am I going to do? How can I convince him I don't mean the nasty things I've said. How do I tell him how much I love him. He won't even take my phone calls anymore." Nabiki sighed in sorrow as she watched some children playing on the playground equipment. She suddenly jerked in her seat and growled: "Don't kick mommy." Jeff didn't come home that night, telling his wife he was going out of town for a few weeks on business. She could tell by his voice, he wasn't leaving because of business. On the phone, she accepted his explanation like a good Japanese wife; never questioning, never accusing. After she hung up, though, it became a different story. Her building frustration over their relationship boiled to the surface and exploded in a fit of rage uncharacteristic of Nabiki. Alone in her expensive home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Nabiki proceeded to storm through the empty rooms, screaming in frustration and shouting in Japanese her anger towards her husband. The coward had deserted her - run away - when she needed his help the most - when there were things to be discussed. She wanted a resolution, a reconciliation, but got only Jeff's cowardly fleeing the issue. Slowly, her anger dissolved into the fear and self-pity that had always lurked just under the surface of their relationship. The fear that he would leave her - like her mother. The fear he would reject her after she had opened herself up to him. The fear she would be alone again. The same feeling of doom she felt the day she found out she was pregnant overwhelmed her again. She did NOT want to be pregnant. She did NOT want a baby. It was tearing her marriage apart - driving a wedge between her and her husband. Her fear did the human thing; it quickly looked for culprits. If she had only not gotten pregnant. That stupid doctor and his 'pills'. Why couldn't he speak Japanese... or find someone who could. If she only understood the instructions... or brought someone with who could explain them to her. That made it *her* fault. Such a thought caused her anger to well up again. NO, it's... Jeffrey's... fault. HE got her pregnant. HE did this to her. Now HE was running away! HOW DARE HE! She screamed in anger again. The baby took that opportunity to kick. "Damn you!" Nabiki screamed at her mid section. "Stop that! It's all your fault, you little monster!" The baby. Yes, it's all the baby's fault. It all fit. She loved Jeffrey, so he had to be excused for his behavior. And it couldn't be *her* fault, it was NEVER *her* fault. Yes... yes, it was the baby's fault. Her fevered mind began to plot revenge on the focus of her marital pain. If she could only get rid of the baby... Her eyes roamed the room only to catch on a couple of wire hangers laying on a chair. The laundry had been delivered that morning. Nabiki had removed some of the items from their wire hangers to put them on wider wooden ones to protect them from the damage usually caused by long term storage with wire hangers. Now the inoffensive metal objects became the focus of Nabiki's solution. she thought while slowly reaching for the nearest hanger. Her mind slowly twisted reality as her hands bent the wire hanger into a lethal looking device. She paused to stare at the twisted metal in her hands. Marveled at its dark malevolent look with its shiny black finish and graceful lines. Felt the comforting coolness of its surface. Its vicious looking hook appeared perfect to do the job. She began to sweat in the cool, air conditioned room. A single bead worked its way down her forehead, the bridge of her nose, detouring around her mouth. Her ragged breathing sounded like the wind screaming through the trees back home and seemed to echo throughout the room. She could also hear a heart beating. Like a koto drum; beating, pounding, louder and louder - until she almost had to cover her ears. The vibration within her chest was overwhelming. Her ears were ringing. The whole world was focused on the heartbeat and the twisted wire hanger. Was it really *her* heart beating? Or was it the baby's? As she stared at the instrument of her baby's death, a tear formed and rolled down her cheek. She didn't really want to do this. It was *her* baby - not Jeff's. But she *had* to... The first ring of the telephone shot through her like a jolt of electricity - her body flinching with its sound. For several seconds, Nabiki hesitated - the ringing phone the only sound in the house. By the fifth ring she dropped the hanger in horror. Her mind reeling from what she was, only moments before, prepared to do. Numbly, she staggered to the phone and picked up the receiver. "Hai?" she gasped. "Nabiki?" It was Akane's voice. "I'm just calling to tell you we're leaving for the airport. We'll be there in the morning, your time." Nabiki covered her mouth in relief - stifling a tiny whimper. She couldn't believe it. She was not going to be alone any more. Akane was coming. "Leaving...?" Nabiki was stunned. The visit was scheduled for next week. "Kasumi thought you needed the help. So we scheduled to leave right away." "Kasumi...?" Nabiki's voice rose in anticipation. "Kasumi's coming too. She said she found money in the budget to buy an extra ticket." "Oneechan..." Nabiki whispered. Oh, how she had wished and hoped to hear just such an announcement. It was if a great dark cloud had been pushed away. Kasumi was coming. Mother was going to make everything alright. "Nabiki? Are you alright?" Akane's voice suddenly sounded a little frightened; as if she had just noticed what her sister was trying to do only moments before. "Oh, Akane, please hurry. Jeff's left me. I drove him away. I'm scared. I'm all alone. I don't want to have this baby anymore." Nabiki babbled almost incoherently as she released all the emotions she had in a single burst. "Calm down, Nabiki. We'll be there in the morning." Akane sounded a little unnerved by her older sister's cry for help. This was *not* the Nabiki she remembered. "Just hold on till morning. We'll be there. It's going to be alright. Please, Nabiki, don't do anything until we get there. Okay? I've got to go now or we'll miss the plane. Bai." Nabiki held on to the phone receiver long after her sister hung up - clinging to the symbolic connection to home and family - a connection to her sisters. They were coming. More importantly, Kasumi was coming. She wouldn't be alone anymore. Relief overwhelmed her, resulting in a burst of tears; her body spasming as she poured out her assuagement. With the phone receiver still clutched to her chest she slid to the floor - alone in her large, dark, empty house overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dawn woke Nabiki from the bed she had made on the sofa. She didn't want to sleep in the bed she formerly shared with her husband - it didn't feel right. Daylight brought new hope. All she had to do was wait for Akane's call from the airport and she would, once again, be among family. Her mind briefly drifted to thoughts of Jeff but she had no desire to travel that emotional road so early in the morning. In spite of her body aching because the baby had been active all night, Nabiki set about cleaning her house to welcome her sisters. It wasn't easy, and she took a lot of shortcuts, avoiding certain rooms altogether, but she finished as the phone was ringing. Akane's voice came through like a beacon in a fog. It sounded so wonderful, so upbeat, so close. It reminded Nabiki of an old movie she saw on the television once. Where the cavalry bugle call told the Indian-trapped settlers that help was on its way. In any case, help had arrived. It was now only a short taxi ride away. For the first time in weeks, Nabiki happily smiled. The arrival of Kasumi and Akane was part Japanese and part American homecoming. Nabiki wavered between wanting to hug her sisters and trying to maintain the quiet dignity her people were most noted for. In the end, she couldn't contain her joy at seeing her sisters again and resorted to clinging to each in heartfelt welcome - something that caused a quick exchange of concerned looks between the visitors. Kasumi, never willing to let a job go half done, wasted no time in digging in to finish the cleaning job Nabiki had begun. While Nabiki was no slouch in the homemaking department, she was no Kasumi. There was much to do - and much to think about. Mother had warned her that Nabiki was in trouble but never hinted at what she should do about it. Caught without guidance, Kasumi had to work things out for herself and there was nothing that helped her better do just that than housework. Akane was more immediately concerned with her sister's marital problems. She was stunned to hear of Jeff's apparent abandonment of Nabiki and pondered the possibilities. This was unlike the Jeffrey she knew. She had always considered Nabiki the lucky one in the family - always having money, having nice things, and finally marrying a handsome rich man. Yes, up till recently, Akane *did* envy her older sister - especially in light of what awaited her. "Nabiki, what happened?" Akane finally asked when they were alone in the master bedroom. Nabiki was changing out of the clothes she had slept in and had gotten down to her underwear. "Isn't it obvious?" Nabiki held her hands away from her body and glanced down at her swollen form. "What are you talking about, Nabiki? Okay, so you're pregnant. If Jeffrey really loves you, your pregnancy shouldn't make any difference." Akane was becoming angry at her brother-in-law as she started putting the pieces together. She didn't like the picture it presented. "Look at me! Just, look at me." Nabiki moaned. "I'm fat. I'm ugly. I've got stretch marks." She turned slightly so Akane could see the places where her skin was stretched to its limits. "And my breasts..." She winced noticeably as she held her milk-filled breasts. "Why *should* he love something that looks like this?" Nabiki spit as she looked at her self in the mirror. "Nabiki, stop it!" Akane demanded. "You're NOT ugly. I can't believe Jeffrey would abandon you just because you got pregnant." "Well, he has." Nabiki snarled angrily. That emotion didn't last long as her features slowly softened with her real feelings. "Akane, I just want him back. All I really want is for him to just hold me like he used to - before I was pregnant. I just want to feel him next to me at night. I just want to know he still loves me." Nabiki collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "Akane, I know I've said I don't need anyone." She sighed and closed her eyes. "But, I'd give up this baby right now to have Jeffrey back." "You don't really mean that." Akane grimaced at her older sister. Nabiki started to say something but lost the words. All she could do is sigh heavily and shake her head like Akane didn't know what she was talking about. Akane was quiet for several seconds looking at her older sister's swollen body. She could tell Nabiki was miserable. The baby alone was enough to cause that. To have an absent husband was enough to push any woman to the edge. Once again, her anger welled up. This was worse than anything Ranma had ever said or did to her. This was the worst thing she could imagine somebody doing to her sister. This was NOT something she was going to let go without leaving her personal touch. Akane quietly excused herself and went into the kitchen. Nabiki was really depressed now. Akane found Kasumi standing in the kitchen with a pleasant look on her face and holding a nearly fresh bouquet of roses. "Where did those come from?" Akane asked cautiously. If all she had been told was actually happening, those flowers shouldn't be here. "They were on a table over by the back door," Kasumi chirped. "Jeffrey must have left them there. They're not more than a couple of days old." She sighed as she smelled the roses. "Aren't they beautiful." Akane could only nod weakly before announcing: "I've got to run an errand." "Ok, Akane." Kasumi set the flowers down and went back to her cleaning. "Be careful. He's probably not in the best of moods." Akane's surprise was evident as she watched her sister disappear back to the bedroom. Akane thought as she started digging through the phone book for taxi companies. A phone call and a taxi ride later and Akane was at Jeffrey's office. "I here for Jeffrey Lawrence." she announced to his secretary. Akane's English had improved significantly since her last visit to Hawaii. Jeff's secretary, Rachel, eyed the youngest Tendo daughter suspiciously. "And whom should I say is calling?" she finally asked. Akane didn't know the proper English words for her relationship, so she improvised. "He marry sister, Nabiki." Akane didn't like dealing with someone through a communication barrier. This was worse than dealing with that idiot Shampoo. Rachel smiled softly and nodded to Akane. She knew what was going on. Torn between loyalty to her boss and helping his poor wife, she chose the girl in trouble. Akane had an ally. But an ally with limits. "You're not going to do anything violent, are you?" Rachel asked nervously. Helping a girl in trouble was one thing. Being an accessory to physical assault was another. "Depend on him," Akane pushed her lower lip out slightly as her jaw set itself. There was no question, this girl was here on a mission. "I can't let you hurt him," Rachel quietly said while returning Akane's hard look. "I need this job." "Only talk." Rachel eyed the girl critically. She certainly looked like someone who could do some real damage - in spite of her 'Hello Kitty' skirt and Mickey Mouse blouse. Still, she said she was only here to talk to Jeff. Seemed harmless enough. "Ok. He's in there," Rachel indicated the door to Akane's right. "Good luck." Akane bowed stiffly, grateful for the assistance but unsure just how much to trust the older American female. In Japan, a good secretary would protect her superior, if necessary, with her own life. This was almost too easy. As Akane headed purposefully for the closed door, Rachel just leaned forward, rested her cheek on her fist and watched the youngest Tendo daughter carefully. Rachel thought with some bemusement. To Rachel's surprise, Akane didn't kick open the door or do anything violent. She stopped respectfully in front of the thin wooden door and knocked... softly. As there was no answer, Akane looked questionably at the secretary. Rachel just shook her head and directed: "It's open. Just... go... in." Akane understood. With a nervous bow Rachel's direction. Akane opened the door and stepped inside. A fellow secretary from across the hall poked her head into the outer office where Rachel was calmly watching Akane's entrance. "Is that...?" she began. "Family." "She looks tough enough to rip the siding off a building." "If Mr. Lawrence isn't careful, she'll rip the siding off *him*." "Serves him right." The two women giggled and calmly awaited the fireworks. Inside, Akane could see her brother-in-law typing on his computer. He glanced up only briefly. Noticing it was Akane 'The Hammer' Tendo, he grimaced slightly and went back to typing. He'd seen Ranma unsuccessfully run for his life many times. He knew he couldn't outrun, outmaneuver, or outfight the youngest Tendo daughter. So he used an age old shinobi tactic... do nothing. "I want to talk to you." Akane growled, glad to be able to deal with Jeffrey in Japanese. There were some choice words she had for him that she wasn't sure would translate into English well enough. "Akane, I don't want to fight you too," Jeff finally said while typing. "Your sister is more than enough for me." Angrily, Akane slammed shut the door. Causing all the pictures on the wall to fall crashing to the floor. Outside, everything on the walls of the outer office also fell. Rachel, calmly reading a book, casually reached up to steady the pictures on her desk, then returned to her reading. "MY SISTER..." Akane yelled. "is currently in YOUR home, laying on YOUR bed, crying because YOU'RE NOT THERE!" Jeff stopped his typing, closed his eyes, and set his jaw to avoid saying the first thing that came into his mind at *that* accusation. "Go away, Akane. I don't want to talk about it with you." Jeff returned to his typing. "Well, *I* want to talk to YOU." Akane, figuring she wasn't getting through to Jeff because he was concentrating on his computer, angrily stomped up to his desk and pulled the power cord out of the back of his machine. Blacking out Jeff's entire computer system. "HEY!" he yelled. She had his undivided attention now. "You killed my computer!" "You act like that computer means more to you than Nabiki." "My computer doesn't fight with me. My computer doesn't yell at me. My computer DOESN'T PLAN TO GO BACK TO JAPAN!" Jeff shouted back. "BAKA! What are you talking about!?" A small crowd, drawn by the sounds of a fight, was gathering out in the hall and nervously looking in the offices of Lawrence Inc. Rachel, however, continued to present a calm corporate face by acting as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening. Meanwhile, back in Jeff's office.... "Get out of here, Akane!" Jeff yelled as he pushed back from his desk. Good thing too. Akane seemed to glow as her face screwed into a mask of frustrated anger. "Jeffrey NO BAKA!!!!!!" She screamed as her fist came down on his desk. His expensive, heavy, hand polished teak wood desk groaned under the impact before collapsing on the floor like a cheap folding picnic table. Outside, the crowd flinched and drew back from the doorway slightly. Rachel just calmly reached over and made a short note that said: 'Order new desk'. Back inside, Akane was gasping for breath at the expenditure of energy she'd used in totaling Jeffrey's desk. Her glow significantly diminished - but not totally gone. "Feel better?" Jeff asked in shock. "You really ought to learn to control that..." "Jeffrey!!!" That did it. Akane had stormed into his only remaining refuge to extract a pound (or more) of his flesh for Nabiki, began trashing his office, and was now screaming at him. Shinobi trained or not, Jeff's 'Pissed-off-o-meter' was clearly in the 'Overly-ticked-off' zone now. Proving to Akane he could be just as violent and stupid as his sister-in-law, Jeff grabbed his expensive, high backed, posture-pedic office chair and threw it across the room, totally destroying his glass front bookshelf. Rachel calmly added to her note: 'Order new bookshelf'. The crowd out front decided it was a good day to go home early and began to leave. "If you're here to take your sister back home, do it and stop tormenting me!" The two dropped into their respective martial arts stances - each appearing willing to reenact a bad scene from some third rate martial arts movie in the confining space of Jeff's office. "That's why you're here, isn't it?!?" "BAKA! I'm here because Nabiki wanted my company! She said you deserted her!" "I DID NOT!" Jeff yelled back, before turning his head slightly and saying in a calm voice: "Oh, yes I did." Still, he shouted back: "Well, it's *her* fault! I heard her planning to leave me and go home with you!" Akane screamed something unintelligible, broke a small conference table and yelled back: "You jerk! I don't know what you heard but the only times she talked to me or Kasumi, she just wanted us to visit - NOT TAKE HER BACK HOME!" Rachel reached over again and wrote: 'Order new table... or chair (couldn't tell by the sound)'. She paused then added: 'Ask for raise'. "Where's Kasumi?!?" Jeff yelled. "She's with Nabiki!! It's lucky she found the money for the plane ticket or I would have had to do this my self!!" Akane screamed back. "Not lucky!" "What do you mean, not lucky?!?" "Because *I* sent her the money!!!" "What?" Akane abruptly asked in a normal voice and dropping her guard. She was stunned at the thought that Jeff had financed her oldest sister's trip. Suddenly, things no longer added up. "I wanted Kasumi to come and talk Nabiki out of leaving me." Jeff too dropped his guard, exhaled hard and walked sadly over to the window. Gently, he picked up the large picture of Nabiki that he kept on the only remaining bookcase in the room. "I was scared, Akane. Scared Nabiki didn't love me any more. Scared she would go back to Japan and I'd never see her again." "I..." Akane suddenly lost the words to express her jumbled emotions. "Akane, that's always been the one thing I feared the most; that Nabiki would leave me and I'd be all alone again. When she said she didn't need anyone - especially me - I panicked." He turned to Akane. "Don't you see? It was my worst nightmare coming true." "I... I didn't know," Akane stammered, holding her forehead as she tried to sort out the last 24 hours. "I thought you were being a total jerk or something and running out on my sister." She paused, the confusion finally overcoming her. "Akane, I'm sorry. It's just... I never understood why Nabiki married me in the first place." Jeff ran his fingers lightly over the picture in his hand. "When I trapped her into agreeing to marry me, I couldn't help but wonder if she already knew about the money. I thought the only way I could find someone who wanted to marry me for myself was to appear to be poor. The night of the embassy ball convinced me, initially, that Nabiki didn't know. Since then..." Jeff waved his free hand in frustration. "You think my sister would marry you just for your money?" Akane's voice and anger began to rise again. "Wouldn't she?" Jeff shot the youngest Tendo an accusing look. "Well... maybe... But I *know* she loves you now. The fact she called me for help proved that. If she didn't love you, she'd be asking to come home. Jeffrey, she NEVER asked to come home." Akane paused to gauge the effect of her last pronouncement. "Kasumi said Nabiki was just trying to think of a way of apologizing to you for all the arguments. The *last* thing on her mind was running back home." Jeff stared at Nabiki's picture for several seconds. Only the sounds of the street outside breaking the silence. "What do I do now?" Jeff sounded like a little boy who was in trouble at school or something. "The first thing we're going to do is go home," Akane flatly declared. "You've got a lot of explaining to do to your wife." She paused before adding: "And, I suppose, she has a few things to explain to you too." Jeff just sighed and nodded his agreement. Why not? It *always* ended this way. Jeff always confessed his guilt and begged Nabiki's forgiveness. He HATED that but it seemed the only way to resolve this problem. He was more than ready for all this to end. As he joined Akane to leave, he noticed her staring at a bunch of wall shelves that contained mementos, nick-knacks, and self-serving award plaques. It was just about the only thing not destroyed in his office. "Go ahead. If you don't, you'll just hate yourself in the morning." Jeff dead-panned. Akane shot Jeff a disgusted look before dispatching the last of her anger by yelling and kicking almost straight up through the shelves - mementos and things being catapulted throughout the room. "Feel better?" "Hai." The pair opened the door leading to the outer office and calmly stepped out. Jeff turned to his secretary and, with a sheepish smile, waved his hand at the mess inside. "I'm... sorry... got a little out of hand." Rachel just smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'll have it taken care of." "Take your time." Jeff looked hopefully at Akane. "I'm not going to be back for awhile. My wife is having a baby." "You don't say." Rachel almost chuckled out loud. "Good night, Mr. Lawrence." Akane just bowed embarrassedly and smiled at the older lady. Rachel winked in return. Akane got the feeling that she was going to like Jeff's secretary. "Oh, Mr. Lawrence." Something reminded Rachel of an earlier message. "What shall I tell Mr. Gaffney? He called again." "From where?" "I'm not sure. He said something about a phone booth." "Tell him to get to the American Embassy and hide under a bed. It always worked for me." Back at the Lawrence residence, Kasumi was dealing with other half of the family. She stood at the open master bedroom doorway, a beautiful vase filled with roses in her hand. Nabiki, now dressed in one of her maternity lounging outfits, lay curled on the bed staring out the open glass doors at the ocean beyond. "I found these in the kitchen," Kasumi said softly as she brought the roses in to Nabiki. "They couldn't have been there for more than a day or two." Nabiki slowly rolled over to look at the flowers, her face a look of confusion. "I think they're from Jeff." Kasumi placed the vase on Nabiki's dresser, carefully arranging their individual positions within the vase to present each at their best. "From Jeff?" Nabiki asked hopefully. "Unless you have unique burglars here in Hawaii that break in to homes and leave dozens of red roses in the kitchen, yes." Kasumi smiled at her little sister. "It would be my guess that he brought these over a couple of days ago in hopes of apologizing to you for all the troubles." Of course, Kasumi knew all about the flowers, the fights, AND the troubles. She quietly sat on the end of Nabiki's bed and ran her hand lovingly over her sister's leg. "I always thought I would be the first to have a baby." "Oneechan, I... I'm not sure I really want this baby." Nabiki sniffed as she picked absently at the pillow. "Nonsense. You've made your father the happiest man in the world." Kasumi smiled again. Something in that smile made Nabiki feel better. "All he seems to do any more is sit around the house with your picture, crying and talking about how proud he is of his little girl." Nabiki ran her hand lightly over belly and looked out the glass doors again. She wasn't really smiling now but seemed more at peace since her sister arrived. "If only Jeff were here." She looked again at her sister in a questioning way. "Do you really think he still loves me?" "Of course," Kasumi chuckled. "How do you think I got here?" "What?" "Jeffrey called me a few days ago. He was worried sick about you. Scared you wanted to leave him and return home to Japan." "That's crazy! I love Jeffrey!" Nabiki protested. "Well, somehow he got the idea you didn't love him anymore." Kasumi looked sadly out towards the ocean and sighed. "I listened to him cry for almost 30 minutes. He kept repeating how it was all his fault and how he was scared you were leaving. He kept asking over and over if I would come to Hawaii and talk to you." "He did?" Nabiki searched hard to grasp how much her husband was willing to give up for her. "Besides, mother would have been upset if I didn't come and help." The reference to mother paused Nabiki for only a second. It wasn't the first time Kasumi talked like she was having daily conversations with her dead mother. Nabiki didn't disapprove, exactly. It's just she didn't fully understand. In any case, Nabiki did what she always did whenever her mother came up in the conversation - she changed the subject. "Kasumi, is there anything I can do?" "Love your husband," Kasumi said with a smile. Then placing her hand on her sister's swollen womb. "And love your baby. You can do both, you know." Nabiki covered her sister's hand with her own and smiled. "I think you've both grown a little from this. Isn't there a shinobi saying about 'trials making a person stronger'?" Kasumi smiled again like she knew something no one else knew. "How do you...?" Nabiki began. As far as Nabiki could tell, Kasumi had never shown the slightest interest in their mother's heritage. "I've always known. Mother told me all about the 'Clan of the Cold Moon' when I was a little girl." She reached inside her blouse and produced an amulet exactly like the one Nabiki wore. "Of course, at first, I thought they were just stories. But after mother died..." "Why didn't you tell me before?" "Because the time was not yet right. You had not met Jeffrey." The two girls giggled together, sharing the irony of the situation. The baby took that opportunity to kick where Kasumi's hand was. They both felt the kick. However, each had a different reaction. "Did you feel that? How wonderful!" Kasumi beamed. Nabiki just grimaced and added: "Not when it does it all the time, Kasumi." She scowled at her belly. "Don't kick mommy." This just set off another round of giggles; Kasumi because of the absurdity of her sister's admonishment and Nabiki because the whole situation was so funny. They both heard the front door open. "I think that's Jeff now," Kasumi whispered as she got up off the bed. "I'll just leave you two alone." "Kasumi?" Nabiki seemed slightly panicked. "What do I say?" "Follow your heart," was all Kasumi said as she smiled and turned to leave. "You'll work it out." Out in the living room, she encountered Jeff and Akane. Kasumi just traded a smile and nod with Jeff before indicating the master bedroom with her head. "She's in there." Jeff modestly thanked Kasumi and disappeared down the hallway leading to the master bedroom. Akane started to follow but Kasumi's hand on her arm stopped her. "I want to see what happens," Akane protested. "You already know what happens," Kasumi replied with a roll of her eyes. "Besides, we're going to dinner and shopping. The cab will be here any minute." "We're just going to leave them alone?" She sounded incredulous, considering her last phone conversation with Nabiki. Kasumi sighed and shot her sister a look of pity. "Someday, you'll understand." She pulled her little sister towards the front door. "By the way, did you have any trouble with him?" "No, we just... redecorated his office a little." "I'd like to have seen that." "Well, it's still early. I'm sure his secretary is still there. Why don't we stop by. I really want you to meet Rachel. She's a neat lady." "I think I'd like that." The two girls closed the front door behind themselves as they left. Jeff paused at the open door to their bedroom, his hands in his pockets, his head bowed slightly. He hoped his look matched his apologetic mood. "Nabiki?" he called softly. "Nabs?" Nabiki rolled over to look at her husband, her eyes glistening with her tears. She hesitated, not knowing what to do. For, what seemed like an eternity to both, they could only stare at each other. Neither spoke but much was said. Still fighting her tears, Nabiki was the first to move; slowly holding out her hand, beckoning him to come to her. Jeff willingly complied. As he slid onto the bed, Nabiki took hold of his hand and squeezed it lovingly. "I'm sorry, Nabs," Jeff started. "Jeffrey, just hold me," was all she said. The two melted together, Nabiki's head nestled under his chin, their arms wrapped as tightly around each other as possible. Jeff stroked her dark brown hair lovingly, kissing her head occasionally. "I can't believe I let it get so out of hand like this." Jeff was fighting his own tears as he held the only thing he really valued in this life. "Can you ever forgive me?" "Hai." Nabiki should have felt some satisfaction that she had, once again, reduced Jeff to crawling back for forgiveness. Somehow, she wasn't enjoying the game as much as she had. For some reason, this one hurt her more than she could ever recall. As the scenes of what she had gone through in the last 24 hours, especially what she was prepared to do to get Jeffrey back, crawled through her mind, she shuddered and held him tighter. "Can we go back to the way it was?" he asked softly between kisses. "Hai, my husband. I'd like that." They kissed like long lost lovers until Nabiki broke the kiss. There was just one more thing to deal with. "Ah, Jeffrey." "Yes, my love." "You've been gone for almost three days." "Yes, my love." "You've been sleeping in your office haven't you?" "When I could sleep." "You don't have a shower down there, do you?" "I suppose not." "You could use a bath." <... or two.> "You want me to take a bath." "If you would. The furo is already hot." "OK. But only if you come too." "You don't mind me being like this?" She indicated her bloated condition. "Of course not." Jeff rolled easily off the bed, unbuttoning his shirt. "Come on. I'll help you out of those confining clothes." "Jeffrey... my water hasn't broken yet." She whispered, remembering the Lamaze class. "Hmmmmm." The two slowly wandered into the bath, their arms wrapped around their most precious possessions; each other. They were both changed - they were both the same as before. Akane and Kasumi remained in Hawaii for the rest of the week. Jeff returned to the house and all seemed to be back to normal - or, at least, what passed for normal in the Lawrence household. Nabiki still refused to cook, blaming occasional bouts of nausea as the reason. Kasumi willingly filled in, careful to avoid any of the modern conveniences Jeff had built in to the kitchen - not wanting to become used to using such devices and having to return to Japan where she would be without once again. Nabiki called her father and endured an hour on the phone listening to him blubber about how he was going to be a grandpa. Every now and then during the phone call, she would look over at Jeffrey and roll her eyes. Jeff and Nabiki both went with the girls to see them off at the airport. While Akane and Nabiki were trading barbs about practically everything (things had gotten back to normal there too), Jeff and Kasumi huddled together, talking in low tones. Nabiki waited until the ride home to ask what Jeff had said to her older sister. "I was just thanking her for coming." He paused to change lanes. "...and for being such a good sister." "I think she likes you, Jeffrey." Nabiki crossed her arms and stared at her husband. "But don't get any ideas." Jeff knew she was kidding but couldn't resist teasing her, for old times sake. "Oh, I don't know. I bet Kasumi would make a good wife." "For anyone but you, Jeffrey. You're already married." "She probably wouldn't be as much fun as you to wrestle with anyway." "Even in my current condition?" "Especially in your current condition." He shot his wife a sheepish grin. Nabiki smiled back while absently rubbing her swollen belly. "It's kicking again." "Probably going to turn out to be a knuckle-dragging martial artist." "My child will NOT be another Ranma." Nabiki glared at her husband before another baby's kick caused her to flinch and scowl down at her unborn child. "Don't kick mommy! And you're NOT going to be some stupid shinobi shadow warrior either. You're going to be a nice, normal... financier." "Like mommy?" Jeff absently asked. "Yes, like mommy." Jeff had another remark but decided it could keep. Instead, he just rolled his eyes and said nothing. He knew the baby, boy or girl, would have to undergo some shinobi training if only to fully bind the child to its heritage. As far as Jeff was concerned, the child could become anything it wanted. All of which only highlighted the differences between Japanese and American parents. [Month 9 - Battle Stations!] It was almost exactly nine months since Jeff and Nabiki were married. By all calculations, the baby was due any day now. Jeff's mother pretty much moved in and took over the cooking and cleaning. As it was New Year's break from school, Kasumi and Akane returned as well, courtesy of Jeffrey sending them tickets (First Class this time). There were no problems with Anne Lawrence and Kasumi Tendo sharing the same kitchen. For some reason, they seemed to mix well together; Anne as the mother and Kasumi as the dutiful eldest daughter. Kasumi willingly fell into the 'follow mommy' role she remembered from her tragically aborted youth; enjoying immensely the reduced responsibilities and having someone to share the daily activities with. Anne finally had what she always wanted; a daughter to follow her around the kitchen. By the end of the first day, Kasumi was actually learning to have fun again - mommy took care of all the 'big' stuff. It was New Year's Eve, Anne and the girls decided to make a night of it - American style - leaving the very pregnant Nabiki home with her husband. Jeff had been dispatched to round up some snacks and a small bottle of champagne (remembering Nabiki's problems with the last encounter - a very small bottle). Kasumi left some of Nabiki's favorite rice cakes for the couple to share as midnight approached. Nabiki settled into her favorite chair, happily munching on a rice cake and watching New York City's New Year's celebration on the television. For almost the first time in 9 months, Nabiki was totally content. She was savoring the familiar Kasumi touch to her rice cake when the first one hit her. Like a cartoon character, Nabiki's eyes popped wide open. She had been warned for months what the first contraction would feel like. This, however, was unlike anything she had prepared herself for. With a full mouth of rice, Nabiki looked apprehensively down at the mound that was once her firm, flat stomach. "You wouldn't dare," she growled after swallowing her rice. "It's seven o'clock in the evening. I'm NOT going to the hospital this time of night. You can just wait until tomorrow." Jeff's arrival at home was greeted by the sight of his wife, seated in a chair, eyes wide and panting like a husky who just finished running the Iditarod. He tried to act undisturbed. "Having a nice evening, dear?" he calmly asked while setting the sack of snacks on the kitchen table. For months, everyone had been drilling into him the importance of remaining calm. After what he had been through, remaining cool while watching Nabiki squirm in labor was a snap. "Contraction..." she gasped stiffly. "Excuse me?" "It's time..." She went back to panting. "Time?" The mention of 'time' actually had him confused. 'Contraction', he understood but the time reference... "Jeffrey no baka!" she growled. "The baby!" "Oh. Well, I suppose I better get the car." Jeff turned to leave. "Your bag...?" He actually looked a little lost - like his brain was not making all the right connections. Nabiki shot him her most serious 'look'. She'd been waiting and preparing for this moment for the last 9 months. All the craziness, all the fears, all the anticipation, were about to be rewarded. Nabiki was in no mood for her husband's mental 'check out'. "In the bedroom, genius," she snorted, her eyes tiny slits. Jeff shot his wife an embarrassed look and went to retrieve the bag they'd packed for the last two months. Nabiki struggled to get out of her chair; no mean feat considering her condition. They met at the door. "By the way," he asked with one hand on the door knob. "How far apart are they?" "Huh?" "The contractions." "Beats me. I've only had one." Jeff dropped the suitcase with a 'thud' and stared at his wife. "You only had *one* contraction? How long ago?" "I don't know." she squirmed. "Maybe 7, maybe 8 minutes." "I'm calling the doctor." He walked calmly over to the phone. Nabiki just stood at the door and stared like she had been abandoned. Quickly dialing Doctor Bridget's number he was relieved to hear her pick up on the second ring. "Yeah, doc, I think she's in labor." he began calmly. "Oh, about 8 minutes or so apart. Yeah. I understand. Okay, I'll let you know." Turning to Nabiki as he hung up the phone, he gave his wife a look of pity. "She says you're hours away from delivery and not to leave for the hospital until the contractions get to five minutes apart." Nabiki's surprise quickly dissolved into her typical irritated look. "I don't care, Jeffrey. I want to go to the hospital NOW!" For several seconds, they stared at each other; a silent battle of wills. A battle Jeff knew, as usual, he would lose. "Fine." Jeff finally said with a sigh. he thought while picking up the suitcase again. Loading Nabiki into the Jeep Cherokee was tougher than it looked. Getting someone so unbalanced up into the front passenger seat was like loading a squirming oversized sack of potatoes - in Nabiki's case, a growling squirming oversized sack of potatoes. Setting off at slightly over the speed limit, Jeff easily negotiated the Hawaiian New Year's Eve hiway congestion as he guided the large vehicle in and out of traffic. "Where's mom and your sisters?" he asked at a stop light. "Shopping," Nabiki answered with a strong grip on both the door handle and dash mounted passenger assist bar. She was braced for another contraction. Jeff had been warned by Doctor Engman that she shouldn't be in actual pain at this point and should expect an overreaction by Nabiki at the first signs of labor. Judging by her wide eyed look and current posture, she expected the next contraction to be a spine-bending, eye-popping whopper. He decided to try taking her mind off the contractions. "Shopping for what?" "A used battleship." she snapped. "How should I know?" Obviously, *that* didn't work. Jeff figured he would just call his mother on his new portable phone from the hospital and keep his mouth shut for now. As luck would have it, Jeff's driving attracted the attention to the local constabulary. Seeing flashing lights in his rear view mirror, he began to pull over. "Jeffrey Lawrence, don't you dare stop!" "Dear, it's the police. I don't think a high speed chase through downtown Honolulu is the best choice for someone with a pregnant wife." Jeff tried to reason. "Besides, once he sees what we're up to, he's bound to give us an escort." Nabiki's incredulous look told him she wasn't buying it. Ever since the wedding trip, she didn't trust American cops. Still, pulling over was the smart thing to do. Once stopped, the pair waited for the officer to approach their car. He seemed to be taking his time. A fact Nabiki kept pointing out. "Now, let *me* do the talking," Jeff warned. "You're in no condition to negotiate. Besides, your English isn't the best." "What's wrong with my English?" she demanded. "Let's just say, you haven't mastered some of the nuances of the language yet." "My English is as good as your Japanese." She folded her arms and glared at her husband. "All of which explains why you're pregnant, Nabsie dear." Nabiki's response was, gratefully, cut off by the officer knocking on the driver's side window. With some relief, Jeff recognized the patrolman. "Evening, Ralph," Jeff chirped as he rolled down the window. "How's things?" "Fine," he replied shining his flashlight on Nabiki. "Mr. Lawrence, are you aware you were doing 75 in a 45 zone?" "Well, you see..." Jeff started. "I having baby!" Nabiki screeched in her 'best' English. Obviously, bored with the conversation already. "Oh, I'm sorry. Ralph, have you met my wife, Madam Butterfly?" "Mrs. Lawrence, I'm pleased to meet you." He reached through Jeff's window and stuck out his hand. "It Tendo-Law..." she never finished. Just after tentatively taking his hand to shake, her next contraction hit. At best, it was only a mild discomfort. To a nervous and inexperienced Nabiki, it was like a knife stab. With a howl of pain, her grip on Officer Ralph's hand tightened like a vise. As the contraction rolled past, she let out a yell that Ranma would have been proud of and sharply pulled on the officer's arm. The fact she came from a martial arts family was profoundly proven as Officer Ralph was yanked off his feet. The sound of his head impacting the door frame of the Jeep was like a melon hitting the sidewalk. In an instant, Officer Ralph See, pride of the Honolulu Police Department, was out cold, collapsing on the street like a rag doll. Jeff leaned over to look at the comatose officer. "Ooops." "Jeffrey, get me to the hospital." Nabiki said forcefully, a slight tinge of panic in her voice. "NOW!" "Dear, we can't leave Officer Ralph laying unconscious on the street like this." Jeff opened his door and got out. Nabiki watched incredulously as Jeff opened the back door and slid the unconscious patrolman into the back seat of the Cherokee. Her stare continued as Jeff got back behind the wheel and they set off for the hospital again; leaving Officer Ralph's patrol car, lights still blinking, empty by the side of the road. The rest of the trip went well, in spite of Nabiki ripping off the door handle when the next contraction hit. Obviously, she had a very low threshold of pain... or an even lower threshold of panic. Rough timing indicated the contractions were still 8 minutes apart. Pulling up at the Emergency entrance of the hospital, Jeff jumped out and ran inside. A nurse and two orderlies pushing a gurney passed him going the opposite direction. Jeff dashed up to the admissions desk practically shouldering an older gentleman out of the way. "My wife's in the car..." Jeff began in a demanding voice. "Excuse me, sir," the admissions clerk cut him off icily. "You'll have to wait your turn. This gentleman was here first." She indicated the fellow Jeff had displaced in line. Jeff did a double take between the pair and flapped his arms in frustration. "Now, then," the clerk said pleasantly turning back to the other man. "About that ingrown toenail..." That was all Jeff could take. "Ingrown toenail??? I've got a woman in labor out there!" "Well, why didn't you say so?" the clerk growled. Signaling for a nearby orderly, she added sarcastically: "I trust *you're* the father?" "Well, yes." Jeff suddenly felt like he did something wrong. Perhaps that's what she wanted him to feel. In any case, he was directed to show the orderly to his pregnant wife. Rushing outside, Jeff pointed to the car. After a quick look inside, the orderly just shook his head. "You've *got* to be kidding, man," he said pointing to the only occupant of the car; Officer Ralph who was now sitting up in the back seat rubbing his head. Jeff charged up, looked quickly through the car and stepped back in confusion. The orderly just looked at him like he was nuts. "Hey, man. Did you, like, leave her at home or something?" "I swear to you, she was here a minute ago." Jeff gestured towards the front seat. "Mr. Lawrence," a nurse called from the doorway. "Your wife is asking for you." Jeff tossed his keys to the orderly and started for the building. "Park it," he ordered. "Cool," the orderly replied as he jumped into the driver's seat. Officer Ralph, regaining consciousness and finding himself alone in a suspect vehicle with a strange driver, did the obvious. "Let's see your license, kahuna," he growled at the poor orderly. Jeff rushed up to the obstetrics floor and quickly changed into the surgical greens given to him by the head nurse. He didn't need to be shown which room his wife was in. Her voice cut through the quiet of the floor like a buzz saw. A Japanese buzz saw. She had apparently forgotten how to speak English. "I want my doctor! I want my husband! Jeffrey!" Jeff entered the room to find a harried nurse trying to fit a blood pressure cuff around his wife's upper arm. It was like wrapping a writhing snake as Nabiki alternated between bracing for the next contraction and fighting off the annoying nurse. "Are you the husband?" the nurse asked, giving up on the blood pressure cuff. "And the father of the baby." Jeff grinned. "What a surprise, huh?" "Is she always this loony?" "Naw, she's a Tendo. They're *all* like that." "Does she speak English?" "She likes to think so." "Jeffrey!" The nurse took that opportunity to slip out to find some help... or a large tranquilizer gun. "So... comfy?" Jeff smiled, being careful to remain out of arms reach. "Fine. I'm wearing a gown with no back. I'm laying on a cold table. I've got baka nurses trying to poke me, prod me, and otherwise make me more miserable than I already am and I'm about to pass a bowling ball." Nabiki growled at her husband while unleashing her most lethal 'look'. "And no panties either..." Jeff added as he bent over, a mischievous smile on his face. "Jeffrey!" Nabiki sharply snarled. The nurse returned with reinforcements and the group proceeded to prep Nabiki for delivery. She struggled less due to the arrival of her next contraction. Scared and confused she looked at her husband in wild-eyed panic. "Breathe, dear," Jeff admonished while making panting noises. Nabiki began her panting while glaring at her husband who seemed to be enjoying the moment. "Good girl. Keep it up and I'll get you a Scooby snack." "Have you called your mother yet?" Nabiki asked between pants. "I want Kasumi. [pant-pant-pant] I want Akane. [pant-pa