A/N: Sorry for the wait! As many of you may already know, things got a little crazy here in Texas for a while. We didn't receive any damage here, thank goodness, but we've been running a skeleton crew at work so we can send every available person we can to help with disaster relief. 12 people having to do what it normally takes a crew of 30 to do for several weeks = dead tired Nechan. But! Our people are back home and healthy and whole. What more could I ask for? Enjoy!

Entwined

Chapter 46: Miscommunication

Am I ready to be a mom? What if I turn out like my own mother?

"Rissy, did you leave the test in the upstairs bathroom last night?"

Gray eyes flicked away from the book she wasn't really reading in Rae's direction. "I don't really remember. Thought I threw it away. Why?"

Rae pointed out the window to where a very uncomfortable looking Raph was training. "He also found Kaylee's stash of baby gear and has clammed up ever since. Will you talk to him? It's driving Mikey up the wall."

Rissy frowned. "Why can't Kaylee talk to him?"

"She's at work. Besides, you two are like siblings. You'll be able to get through to him."

"Well, I can try."

OoO

Leo cracked an eye. That was the third time Reni had sighed since he started meditation today. Long raven tendrils floated gently with her movement as she fiddled with a stick closer to the lake. Leo stood and crossed the short distance easily.

"Is something bothering you?"

"You said that the Foot you ambushed last night told you about a hostage in exchange for their life."

Cobalt eyes hardened. "I didn't like using threats to get information either bu-"

"That's not it. I've got a horrible feeling that I know who they have."

OoO

"Hey, tough guy, walk with me for a while."

Raph grunted, but stood and started following Rissy towards the forest. The silence between them was easy, an unspoken agreement to confidentiality. The weary empath sighed as they came to a clearing.

"Raph, we need to talk."

"About me screwing up with Kaylee? Look, I already told her I know and don't want her to get rid of it, but she's denying the whole thing."

Gray eyes rolled. "That's because she's not the one pregnant, you big duh."

"Oh yeah? Well why does she have a bunch of bags of baby stuff under our bed then? And what was with the positive test in the bathroom?"

"The test was my bad. I really thought I had thrown that away properly."

"Wait, so you're the one who's..?"

"Yeah. I'm the one who screwed up."

Raphael's face went from relief to shock to miffed as what Rissy implied hit home. "Hey, look at me. It's not a screw up, it's a damned miracle! Little sis, none of us thought it would ever be possible, well Mikey did but he's a goofball on the best days." A moment passed with only the sound of Rissy's quiet sniffing breaking the silence. "Have you talked to Donnie yet? About the...?"

Chestnut curls shook. "Not yet. The girls and I just found out yesterday."

"You need to tell him."

"I know. I just... I got some things to work through first. I'm terrified of being just like my own mother."

"Why?"

Gray met green with equal parts ferocious and fear. "My extra senses come from my father's family. She was afraid of them, and so anytime I displayed or discussed them I was beaten. I ran away on my 15th birthday to live with my father's mother."

"You ain't gonna be anything like that."

"You don't know that."

"But I do. You said it yourself, remember? You've danced with plenty of demons, and you're still a good person. Now look, I won't mention anything to anyone else until you're ready for it, but it's no good keeping this a secret from Don. He's worried about ya, we all are."