This story takes place between episodes 12 and 13. Not having found an official timeline, I am estimating that 4 months have passed between Randall Lynch's death and this story. All the usual disclaimers apply.

Why in hell couldn't this new species, these Dominants, have some sort of physical trait to identify them? The guard thought to himself, watching a blond woman pass the entrance to the lab for the third time in ten minutes. Like bulbous heads or green skin like in STAR TREK. This new species was supposed to be smarter, don't they need a bigger head for all that brain power?. 

The guard watched alertly, but unobtrusively. He was new to the lab, but his training had been thorough. With the public acknowledgment of the new species, and the various attacks on the lab's personnel, security was now much more than a formality. If it were necessary, he was prepared, and authorized, to use deadly force. If it were necessary. He had been briefed on what was known about how the Dominants operated. He had been told they felt little if any emotion. But no one could tell him how to spot them before they came at him. 

On her fourth pass the woman stepped up to the doors. She paused with her hand on the handle to take a slow, deep breath. Pressing her other hand to her abdomen she pulled the door open. Just inside she stopped and looked swiftly around. The door closed behind her with a faint click, causing her to start nervously. Wiping her hands down her sides she approached the security desk and the watching guard hesitantly. 

"May I help you?" the guard asked, politely. Unseen by her, his hand was on the alarm button, ready to summon help if needed. He swiftly evaluated the threat she might pose. In her early twenties, he estimated, slight and pale. Dark circles made her eyes looked bruised. Blues eyes that looked at him anxiously, darting from side to side at the faintest of sounds. 

"I'd," the woman began softly. She paused to clear her throat. "I'd like to speak with Dr. Parker. Dr. Sloan Parker." Her voice had a breathy quality to it, making her hard to hear. 

"Dr. Parker? Do you have an appointment?" The guard asked, glancing down to check the list of expected visitors. 

"No." she admitted. "But I have to see her, have to talk to her." The woman's voice broke on a small sob. She pressed her hand to her abdomen. The guard frowned. His wife did the very same thing when she was pregnant and upset. Looking more closely, he could see that the woman's loose shirt seemed snug around the middle. 

"I'll call and see if Dr. Parker is available." He reassure her. "Why don't you have a seat while I find out when she can talk to you." He gestured towards a set of chairs against the wall. Picking up the phone he paused. "What shall I say you want to see her about?" 

The woman looked at him with haunted eyes. "Randall Lynch." Sloan Parker absentmindedly answered her phone on the second ring. She was absorbed in the readout from Ed's latest computer simulation on a serum to alter the Dominants' DNA to human. The news that a very nervous woman, who might or might not be pregnant, wanted to talk to Dr. Sloan Parker about Randall Lynch had her jumping from her chair so quickly it banged against the wall. Ed and Dr. Attwood paused as they were about to leave the main lab for a late lunch. Sensing Sloan's agitation Tom looked up from the book he was reading in an out-of-the-way corner of the lab. 

"What's up?" Ed asked. Sloan paused to looked at the men watching her as she rushed out of her office. 

"That was the guard downstairs. He says there is a young woman waiting who wants to talk to me about Randall Lynch." 

Attwood pursed his lips. "Lynch? What about him?" 

Sloan shrugged and headed for the door. "That's all she said." 

"Sloan wait." Tom began, but stopped when she snagged his wrist in passing. She didn't pause, but pulled him along until he caught up. 

"The guard thinks she's pregnant." Sloan tossed over her shoulder as she and Tom disappeared through the swinging doors. Ed blanched, then started to follow. Attwood stopped him. 

"Wait. Tom will know if the woman is a threat. If she has information, they'll bring her here." Ed nodded, reluctantly. Beeping equipment told him more test results were ready. Wandering over to the machine he looked at the printout, but didn't see it. His attention was elsewhere. Was this woman another victim of Lynch's? Another Kelly? 

Tom pulled Sloan to a halt just inside the reception area. Only the guard and a woman were present. The woman sat with her head down, hands clenched in her lap. Nodding to the guard, Tom focused his enhanced senses on the woman. Sloan waited, impatiently, but she waited knowing Tom was checking to see if the woman was dangerous. 

Tom could sense fear, despair and uncertainty from the woman, but no hostility. He held his focus for a moment longer, sensing something more. Sloan touched his arm, pulling his attention. Looking at the question in her eyes, he shook his head. The woman was not a Dominant. 

Just as Sloan stepped forward the woman looked up, alerted. She stood as Sloan approached, darting a nervous glance at Tom, then looking back at Sloan searchingly. Sloan took a moment to looked at her carefully. The baggy shirt the woman was wearing clouded the issue, but Sloan was pretty sure the guard was right. The woman was pregnant. Sloan smiled, hoping to reassure the skittish young woman. 

"I'm Dr. Sloan Parker." Sloan greeted the woman, holding out her hand. The woman shook Sloan's hand, returning her smile with a hesitant one of her own. "My name is Jenny Vansen." The woman introduced herself. She looked from Sloan to Tom questioningly. 

"This is Tom Daniels. He works with me." Sloan decided to keep the introduction simple. Tom nodded, giving her his practiced smile. The one designed to reassure and lull unsuspecting humans. He didn't offer a hand for shaking. Judging by her emotional state, he didn't think she wanted to be touched by a man. Jenny nodded in reply, but kept her attention mostly on Sloan, almost desperately. 

"The guard said you wanted to talk to me about Randall Lynch?" Sloan prompted Jenny, when the younger woman stood silent. Sloan saw a tremor pass through the other woman's body. Jenny hunched her shoulders and ducked her head. 

"Yes." She answered softly. Sloan considered the other woman's defensive posture. Her own stomach clenched. Whatever Jenny had to say, it was going to be bad. "Let's go to my office," Sloan suggested, putting an arm around Jenny. "We can talk more comfortably there." She felt Jenny tense at her touch and then relax. 

"Yes." Jenny said softly, glancing towards the guard. "I would appreciate that." 

Ed and Dr. Attwood tried to hovered unobtrusively as the threesome returned to the lab. Jenny kept her head down, letting Sloan guide her. Sloan headed towards her office, frowning at the men and shaking her head emphatically when they started to follow. Sensing their presence, Jenny stopped and raised her head. Seeing the three men, she hastily stepped back, placing herself slightly behind Sloan. 

"It's okay." Sloan sought to reassure her. "You're safe here. We'll have a talk and the gentlemen will find something interesting to keep them busy while we do." Sloan stated forcefully, glaring at Attwood. 

"Now Sloan," Attwood began. 

"No." Jenny drew away from Sloan's comforting touch slightly. She bit her lip and sighed deeply. "I imagine you will all be involved, so you might as well hear it at the same time." She smiled sadly at Sloan. "It's just, I've been afraid for so long." 

"Are you sure?" Sloan asked. When Jenny nodded Sloan gave her a quick hug and led her into the office. She fussed over getting Jenny comfortably seated. The men drifted in awkwardly. Tom instinctively took up a position as far from Jenny as was possible, given the confines of Sloan's office. Watching him, Ed and Attwood also gave Jenny as much space as was available. Sloan smiled her gratitude. She dreaded what was going to be revealed. Her brief encounter on the stairs with Randall Lynch still gave her an occasional nightmare. 

"Jenny," Sloan said gently, "this is Dr. Walter Attwood and Dr. Ed Tate. Walter, Ed, this is Jenny Vansen." Jenny gave each man a fleeting look but quickly returned her gaze to her hands, clenched in her lap. 

The scientists and Tom waited patiently for Jenny to compose herself. She continued to sit, head down for several minutes. When she began to speak, her voice was so soft that everyone had to strain to hear her halting words. 

"I run; I ran a small store out towards the desert. Four months ago I was attacked; raped; by Randall Lynch." She glanced up in response to the noise Sloan involuntarily made. 

"There was no police report of your attack." Attwood stated positively. The others looked at him in question. He shrugged. "Each victim of Lynch's was followed up on, once he was identified as a Dominant." He explained blandly. Sloan looked outraged. She drew a deep breath, ready to blast Attwood, and then let it out slowly in a long sigh. Following up on Lynch's victims made sense, especially after what happened to Kelly. 

Jenny nodded, but looked away quickly. She kept her gaze locked on Sloan, trying to pretend that the men were not there. "No. I was in a coma for three days after the attack. Even after I regained woke up I wasn't able to talk for a couple more days." Her fingers rose to touch her throat unconsciously, remembering the strength of Lynch's hands as he strangled her into submission. "By then, Lynch was dead. I saw no reason to," Jenny's voice faltered. "I didn't want to become a target of the media. Some of his other victims, the press practically camped on their doorsteps after..." she broke off, unable to go on. The memories were too vivid. 

"After he was identified as a member of the new species." Tom finished for her, gently. Jenny grimaced. 

"I decided to try to pick up the pieces of my life and go on. Fortunately, I had gone to school with people at the hospital, and with the sheriff. They agreed that making a circus of my life was unnecessary. With Lynch dead, what happened to me didn't need to become public gossip." Jenny paused and looked at each of the others earnestly. "I just wanted to get on with my life. I did my best to ignore the news about this new species, these Dominants." She paused, looking back down at her hands, clenched in her lap. "Why come to us now?" Ed prompted. 

"This latest news broadcast you made." For the first time Jenny looked directly at Dr. Attwood. "I couldn't ignore what you said; about the Dominants efforts to kill us, about how they can read our emotions," Jenny stopped to take a deep breath and let it out slowly, "and about the children, the halfbreed children. About how dangerous they are." 

"You're pregnant." Sloan said gently, trying to make it easier for Jenny. She flinched and squeezed her eyes shut. 

"Yes." She whispered. In a slightly stronger voice she continued, "I thought about an abortion, when I first found out, but I couldn't. The baby's not to blame and I know so many people want a baby. I figured I'd have it and put it up for adoption." "Then you heard the news of how dangerous such children can be." Tom stated flatly. 

"Yes." Jenny again looked at them all. "I'm four months pregnant, too late for an abortion. But I can't give this baby to unsuspecting people to raise. And I can't raise it myself, I can't." Jenny's voice broke and Sloan leaned over to comfort her. Jenny looked at her pleading for understanding. "I've daydreamed plenty of having children someday, of raising them in a loving home, but I can't love this." Jenny's hands fluttered over her womb. "I know the baby's not to blame, but; he hurt me very badly." A single tear trickled down her cheek. Sloan gathered her close and Jenny began to cry; deep, wrenching sobs that shook her whole body. 

Ed shifted uncomfortably and looked at Attwood for help. The grief in Jenny's sobs was horrible. He wanted to comfort her, he wanted to kill Randall Lynch, he really wanted to get out of the room. Attwood kept his expression neutrally sympathetic, but he too felt uncomfortable, and helpless. Both men turned to Tom. 

Tom leaned against the wall, watching Sloan closely. He was trying to understand his response to Jenny's grief. Emotions were so new to him he often found himself floundering, trying to identify the feeling and determine how to react normally to it. He had learned to use Sloan's reaction to emotions as a guide for his own. 

Straightening abruptly, Tom swept Ed and Attwood with a "What?" look and silently left. Ed and Attwood looked at each other, trying to gauge their chances of leaving the office unnoticed, too, when Tom returned. Ignoring the other men, he walked up to Sloan and touched her shoulder. 

Sloan looked up, her own eyes drenched with tears. Tom showed her the glass and tablets he was carrying. "She's getting a headache from the crying." he told her. For a moment, Sloan continued to stare into his eyes, seeking strength. Tom softly stroked his hand down her cheek, letting her see his concern. Then he stepped back and signaled the others to leave the room. Gratefully, Attwood retreated. Ed cast one more look at the huddled women, but knew he had nothing to offer right then that would help. Sighing, he too left. Tom softly closed the door to the office behind him. 

Safely out of hearing of Sloan's office, Ed turned to Attwood, running his fingers through his hair distractedly. "Oh, God. What do we do?" 

Attwood glanced back at Sloan's office and turned his patented bland look on Ed. "She came to us for help. We'll help her. We will get her through this pregnancy and we'll arrange a home for the baby." 

"You mean we'll turn it over to the government for study!" Ed shot back, angrily. Tom gave Attwood a warning look, which he ignored. 

"I mean we will help Ms. Vansen through her pregnancy and then we will find a home for the baby where it can be raised safely. Where it can be monitored, yes, to see if such children can be successfully raised by nonDominants." Attwood gave Ed a long look. "Ed," he began soothingly. "She came to us for help, we'll give it. Think what a great opportunity this is, think of all we can learn." Attwood spared a glance for a frowning Tom. "Without causing any harm to either Ms. Vansen or the baby." He stated emphatically. Tom challenge this with a look but Attwood simply stared back. 

Tom held Attwood's gaze a moment longer and then nodded, accepting that he meant what he said, at least for now. Tom had no illusions that should Attwood's government bosses decide otherwise, Attwood would comply. Attwood turned back to Ed, who had been watching the silent exchange intently. 

"Right now, Ed," Attwood continued, "we have to concentrate on making certain Ms. Vansen is healthy and that the pregnancy does not endanger her well-being." As he had known it would, this suggestion of danger to Jenny diverted Ed's attention. Pausing long enough to give Attwood a hard stare, Ed headed towards the lab equipment wondering, What could they use? With a last look towards Sloan's office, Attwood headed for his own. 

Ed busied himself preparing tests to run on Jenny and the baby. Start with the basics, he told himself, blood tests, DNA tests, anemia. What else? Ed shook his head. They'd need to call in a obstetrician. He didn't know enough about normal pregnancy to spot anything abnormal. 

Tom sat and waited patiently. There was nothing he could do right now but be there for Sloan. And keep an eye on Attwood. So far, Attwood hadn't made any phone calls. Tom would have expected him to get in touch with his government boss about this new development. Why hadn't he? Tom found Attwood almost as difficult to predict as he had Lewis. For now, Attwood was in his office, doing whatever it was Attwood did, but not using the phone or the computer to send a message. So, Tom waited. 

Tom stood as the door to Sloan's office opened. "I'll be right back." Sloan said as she closed the door behind her. Tom wrapped his arms around Sloan as she came to him. He held her tight, knowing she needed the comfort of physical contact. She sniffed once, twice and then straightened. Tom loosened his hold, but didn't let her go completely. From the safety of Tom's arms Sloan looked around the lab. "What, no government goons?" she asked, surprised. 

"Attwood hasn't called his boss yet." Tom told her. When she looked at him questioningly he just shook his head. He didn't know what Attwood intended, either. 

Sloan glanced back at her office and sighed. Tom let his arms drop, reluctantly, as she stepped away. "Let's find out." she said. By the time Sloan and Tom had reached the door to Attwood's office, Ed had joined them. Without looking up, Attwood waved them to chairs as they came in. 

"We'll need an obstetrician." Ed burst out as he sat. "I don't know enough about pregnancy to know what to look for." He paused, waiting for Attwood to look up. 

"Why haven't you call your boss yet?" Sloan demanded. Attwood smiled mirthlessly. 

"I thought it would be best, for Ms. Vansen, if we had all the details worked out before we brought anyone else in. I do not believe it would be in her best interest if she were removed from our care and taken elsewhere." Attwood sat back in his chair. "So what do we need, besides an obstetrician we can trust?" 

Ed and Sloan looked at each other and then at Tom. He looked back, blankly. "I've had no experience with pregnant women." He assured them, hurriedly. "I've no idea what she, and we, will need." 

"A place to stay. Prenatal care. People around she feels safe with." Attwood began. The others looked at him, surprised. "I've been making lists." 

"Do any of you know of an obstetrician we can co-opt?" Attwood asked. The others shook their heads. "No, neither do I. I'll check around, discretely. What about a place to stay? And she can't stay with you, Sloan." Attwood continued before Sloan could open her mouth. "You only have one bed in your place and we need you well rested. Ed's place is even worse." Attwood looked speculatively at Tom. 

"I could just stay here, at the lab. Or a hotel room would be just fine, I should think." Jenny said hopefully. She stood in the doorway with her arms wrapped around her waist. "And I have an obstetrician. You could call her to discuss my case." Jenny bit her lower lip. "She knows about Randall Lynch. In fact, it was her concern about possible complications that got me to face what was happening." Jenny looked at Sloan, "I'll give you her number." Sloan nodded but did not smile. 

"Jenny," she began gently. "My doctorate is in science. Ed is the only M.D. here." 

Jenny looked from Sloan to Ed in dismay. She paled and closed her eyes. Ed started to rise, but Sloan urgently signaled him to sit back down. Sloan waited until Jenny's breathing began to slow. "Jenny?" She asked softly. Jenny kept her eyes closed a moment longer, but she nodded. 

"We could bring in another doctor, a woman." Ed offered conciliatorily. Jenny shook her head no. She opened her eyes and looked at him. 

"No, that won't be necessary." She tried to smile bravely. "I can handle this." She heaved a quick sigh. "Let me give you her number." 

Ed nodded, relieved he wouldn't have to fit in a crash course in obstetrics overnight. 

"Good." Attwood sat back. "While we see if we can't come up with more comfortable quarters than the lab, Jenny, why don't you call your doctor so Ed can get started. See if she can come to the lab for a few days. And Ed, maybe, you could start some of the preliminary tests now. If that is all right with you, Ms. Vansen." Attwood arched an eyebrow. 

Jenny looked at Attwood searchingly. She glanced at Sloan who smiled to reassure her, although to tell the truth Sloan had no idea why Attwood was being so heavy handed about getting the woman out of the office. Slowly, Jenny nodded. "All right. What did you have in mind?" She asked Ed as he stood up and gestured her towards the main lab. "Well, let's start with the basics; blood pressure, temperature, blood test." Ed's soothing tone faded as he and Jenny moved away. 

"What was that all about?" Sloan demanded as soon as she was certain Jenny was out of earshot. 

"She can't stay in the lab, at least not for more than a day or so." Attwood began seriously. "She has no security clearance, she'd have no privacy and ..." 

"And certain unnamed persons would be sure to decide that such an environment was not suitable for a pregnant woman and insist on moving her elsewhere." Tom continued calmly. 

"Exactly." Attwood frowned. "We need to find a better solution." 

"We need a safe house, and someone to be with her all the time." Tom said. 

"Yes. But more than one person, and not you, Tom. We need you available for other things. Ed would be spending time with her, anyways, but we'll need someone else for her protection." 

Sloan looked at the two men, puzzled. "Are you expecting trouble? Do you think Jenny is in danger?" She asked alarmed. 

Tom shrugged. "Not expecting, just being careful." Tom's tone became earnest, trying to make Sloan understand. "Sloan, Jenny is pregnant by a Dominant. If they find out that her baby was fathered by Lynch, they'll be determined that we do not have it to study. Lynch was a rogue, so it's not likely they know about her, but just to be safe, she needs to be guarded." 

Sloan glanced out the door to the main lab. She could just see Jenny sitting on the edge of a chair, nervously twining her fingers. "She's been through so much already." Sloan said sadly. 

"And we will do our best to see that she doesn't have to go through any more." Attwood assured her. 

"A woman." Tom continued planning. "She isn't comfortable around men. She'll need at least one woman around to be able to relax. A woman as a bodyguard would be easier on her." 

"You're right." Attwood agreed. "But who? Our resources are very limited if we won't call on my contacts for help." 

"Maybe Ray would have some ideas." Sloan suggested. 

"Perhaps." Tom considered the idea. 

"I will see about making arrangements for a place for Jenny to stay." Attwood said. "For now, Sloan, why don't you go out and keep her company. I'm sure she would feel better with a woman around." Sloan studied Walter for a moment, wondering what was going on in his governmentally inclined brain. "All right." She conceded, heading for the main lab. "But be very careful Walter, I don't intend to turn Jenny over to the government." 

"Your boss is going to find out what's happening soon enough." Tom warned Attwood as he, too, prepared to leave the office. "She'll want to move Jenny elsewhere, someplace safer." Tom's tone of voice made it clear what he thought such a place would be like. 

"Possibly." Attwood agreed. "But perhaps not. If she sees that Ms. Vansen is comfortable here, she may consider it prudent not to upset her." 

Tom nodded thoughtfully. "Jenny is very emotional, on edge. Too much more stress could have physically consequences. That would be a good angle to push." 

In the main lab Sloan discovered that Ed had neatly solved the problem of Jenny's discomfort with men; he had commandeered a female lab assistant to do the actual hands-on work. While he sat at a computer imputing the data, the assistant, Mary, took Jenny's blood pressure, listened to her heart and drew blood for analysis. 

"Hey Sloan." Mary greeted her. Jenny gave her a hesitant smile. 

"Hey, yourself." Sloan replied. She liked Mary's irreverent manner and knew her to be a valuable member of the lab team. Done at the computer, Ed wandered over now that Jenny had reinforcements. 

"Everything looks normal." He told her. "But I'd feel more comfortable with an expert's opinion. Could you call your obstetrician now?" 

Jenny glanced at the clock. "She should be at the office, unless she's gone to the hospital for a delivery. She usually takes a break about now, so this would be a good time to call." 

"Great." Ed enthused. "Let's go to my office where it's more private." 

In the office Ed waved Jenny to a chair, being careful to give her plenty of space. Dialing for an outside line, Ed handed the phone to Jenny and settled into another chair. Biting her lip, Jenny dialed. 

"Hi, Marcia, is Grace there? Can I talk to her? Thanks." Jenny stared blankly at the wall while waiting. "Hi, Grace. I, ah, I took your advice." She held the receiver away from her ear and Ed and Sloan could hear someone saying "Jenny!" in a loud, exasperated tone. "I'm fine." Jenny said into the mouthpiece, carefully keeping the rest of the phone away from her ear until the noises stopped. "Really." She listened for a moment. "Okay. Grace. Grace! Why don't you talk to Dr. Tate, he's the M.D. here." Jenny thrust the phone at Ed. He frowned at her before taking it. "She's a bit protective of me." Jenny explained slightly embarrassed. 

"Hello?" Ed said. Sloan divided her attention between Jenny, who sat back in the chair and closed her eyes, and the conversation Ed was having. 

"Yes, she seems to be fine. Blood pressure, temperature and all that seem normal…No, I have no experience with pregnancy…Right now, bringing in another obstetrician could be difficult…Okay…Okay." Ed ran his free hand through his hair and looked at Sloan with a slightly stunned gaze. "Right, we'll be expecting you." He hung up the phone, a little dazed. 

"She says she'll be here tomorrow morning." He reported. 

Jenny smiled, the first really open smile they had seen from her. Then she chuckled. "Grace can be a bit overwhelming." She understated. "But she's been a good friend for years." She grew pensive. "I wouldn't have survived so far without her." 

"Friends strengthen us." Ed told her simply. 

"Right," Sloan stood up. "Now that that's settled, let's find out what arrangements Walter has made about a place for you to stay." 

Attwood had been busy. Calling in several favors, he had arranged the use of a penthouse in a high security building for Jenny's stay. As he explained to Tom, the owner, a slightly paranoid CEO, had installed the building with the latest advances in security. And since the CEO's company did extensive research in high tech devices, many of the security measures were not yet on the public market. Currently the CEO was out of the country so they could use the penthouse for a couple of weeks. 

While Mary lent Ed her support, Tom took Sloan home to pack an overnight bag. For this night, at least, Sloan would stay in the penthouse with Jenny. Tom and Ray would also be in the penthouse, as protection, although they agreed not to tell Jenny that was what they were there for. For now, she didn't need to know that she might be in further danger from Dominants. 

Stopping at a grocery store, Sloan bought the necessities for dinner and breakfast. Tom added a box of plain crackers to the basket. "For Jenny." When Sloan simply looked at him puzzled he said questioningly, "I read somewhere that crackers were good for morning sickness?" Sloan looked from the crackers to Tom. She smiled to herself. He could be so thoughtful. 

"Yes, they can be." She assured him. 

Back at the lab they found Jenny resting while Ed ran tests on her blood and boned up on pregnancy. A duffle bag with Jenny's belongings had been brought in from her car. The car had been moved to the secured garage by a guard. As soon as Sloan and Tom reappeared, Attwood sent them off to the penthouse, where Ray would meet them. Ed waved an absentminded goodbye to them, immersed in his work. 

At the penthouse, Ray was waiting for them at the elevators. Once inside, Tom quickly and thoroughly checked the security while Jenny and Sloan unpacked their things in the bedroom. Since it was getting late, Sloan quickly fixed dinner for the four of them. Jenny rested on the couch and watched as the others worked. 

Conversation lagged during the meal. Not knowing the circumstances of the attack, Ray and Sloan were afraid of saying the wrong thing and upsetting Jenny. Tom followed their lead. Apologizing for her manners but pleading exhaustion, Jenny went to bed soon after they finished. 

After checking on Jenny to make sure she had all she needed, Sloan returned to the living room. Ray had taken over one of the recliners and was dozing. He or Tom would be awake all night. Sloan chose a comfortable chair across the room from Ray and settled in with the book she had brought. She carefully tilted the shade on the light so as to keep it off Ray. 

Tom came and looked over her shoulder at what she was reading. She turned her head to smile up at him. Suddenly her breath caught. She remembered another time, not so long ago, when there had been guards and she had been reading and Tom had teased her about it. She remembered the terror that followed. For a moment, that terror was back. 

"Sloan!" Tom's voice, low and urgent, reached her. "Sloan, you're safe. Lynch is dead. You're safe." Sloan blinked, and saw Tom gazing at her in concern. She gave him a shaky smile. Both of her hands were clasped safely in his. He lifted one hand to stroke back the hair from her eyes. 

Sloan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Again, and once again she inhaled. This time her smile was stronger. "I'm okay, Tom. Just a bad memory." Tom nodded, but he didn't release her hands until she tugged on them gently. Reaching up she put her freed hand on his cheek. "I'm okay." With one last caress of her hair, Tom retreated. 

Taking another deep breath, Sloan settled back and opened her book. She read steadily. Two hours passed, and Ray got up to take over from Tom. Tom sat down on the floor by her chair and rested his head against her legs. Neither said a word, but as she read, Sloan buried her fingers in Tom's hair. Eventually, unable to stifle her yawns, Sloan went to bed. 

Next morning, the crackers came in handy 

They were all back at the lab early. Jenny rested on a couch in Attwood's office while everyone else busied themselves while awaiting Grace Adler, Jenny's doctor. When the guard phoned at 9:46, everyone was relieved. Tom left to escort the doctor to the lab while Sloan went to wake Jenny. 

Soon Tom was back with an attractive woman in her early thirties. "Grace!" Jenny cried as soon as she saw the newcomer. Swiftly she flung herself into the other woman's open arms. As the two woman hugged, the others stayed back. "I'm glad you took my advice, Jenny." Grace said, holding the other woman by the hands. "But I wish you had let me know you were coming. I'd have rearranged my appointments and come with you." 

Jenny smiled self-deprecatingly. "I just grabbed a few things and started driving." she admitted. "I didn't dare give it any more thought." Ed frowned, but Grace just nodded. She should have expected it, knowing Jenny as she did. 

"Well, you got here safely." Grace turned to regard the others watching. "Hello, I'm Grace Adler." Attwood took charge, introducing everyone and Grace politely acknowledged each in turn. But as soon as Grace understood that most of Jenny's care would be from Ed, and she darted a surprised look at Jenny when this was revealed, Grace's interest in the others vanished. She was intent on Jenny's welfare and as she explained, she could not stay long. She had other patients she had to get back for. 

"In fact," Grace told Jenny sadly, "I'll have to go back this evening. Mrs. Peters' time is very near and I have to be there." 

Jenny bit her lip but nodded. Mrs. Peters' pregnancy had been almost as rocky as her own. She would be in good, albeit male, hands, here. "I understand, really. Thank you Grace, so very much, for coming." Grace hugged the younger woman again, fiercely. Then she turned to Ed. 

"Let's get busy, shall we?" She said briskly. Ed nodded, and led the way to his office. Sloan decided to join them, at least until the discussion went beyond her medical understanding. Tom, too, decided to sit in. Jenny, still tired, bid them a good morning and returned to the couch to nap. Attwood, regretfully, had other duties he had to attend to and so he left. 

Grace had not only brought the records of Jenny's pregnancy with her, but also all of Jenny's medical records since childhood. Ed had prepared a number of printouts to show her, highlighting Jenny's current health and some of the differences between homo sapien and homo dominant. The two doctors quickly got over formalities and settled down shoulder to shoulder to poured over the records and compared them to the test results. Sloan looked on amused as Ed and Grace became absorbed by the work. 

The day passed quickly, for most of those at the lab. Ed and Grace barely touched lunch as they poured over the medical records and test results. Sloan had listened as Ed gave Grace a rundown on all the information they had been able to gather on the previous human/dominant pregnancies they had identified. According to all their information, these pregnancies had seemed normal. No special problems had been encountered by either the mother or the baby. Once the discussion veered into the medical aspects of pregnancy, though, Sloan was soon lost in the medical jargon. Eventually, she admitted defeat and went to get some work done in her own office. 

Tom stayed a while longer. He didn't understand what the two doctors were talking about either, but still he stayed, listening and watching. He had been taught patience by an expert and although he had no medical training, by listening carefully he was able to learn some of what Jenny was experiencing now. Finally, though, he too left Ed's office. 

Jenny napped or read for much of the day, passively letting others plan her future. She did, however, joined Sloan and Tom for lunch in the cafeteria. Attwood appeared and disappeared at intervals. 

Finally all the medical records had been exhausted. Ed and Grace were left with guesses and speculation. Making certain that Jenny was not nearby, Grace took the time to filled Ed in on some of Jenny's personal background. Raised in a dysfunctional family, Jenny had always been very emotional and highly sensitive. The pregnancy had been very difficult for her to deal with. She had nearly miscarried twice already. Each episode had been brought on by an emotional upset. Jenny would have to be treated very carefully. "Take good care of her." Grace demanded. "She has always been fragile, emotionally. I really didn't know if she would survive, not just the physical trauma of the rape, but mentally. I kept a suicide watch on her for weeks after." Grace smiled fleetingly. "She's shown surprising strength lately, more than I would have imagined given her childhood. But I really worry." 

Ed placed a hand reassuringly on Grace's arm. "We'll take care of her." He promised fervently. Kelly's ghost was never far away. 

Then it was early evening and time for Grace to head home. 

"You take care of yourself, young lady." Grace said fiercely, as she hugged Jenny close. "I've told Ed he's to treat you fine and I'll be available at anytime for a chat session. Just call." Grace paused to clear her throat. "You'll be okay with a male doctor?" She asked Jenny in an undertone. Jenny smiled, a little sadly. 

"Ed's very kind. I'll be okay with him." She reassured Grace, through her own tears. 

"I'll be coming up to visit frequently, I promise." Grace said as she gathered her belongings. "Be well." 

"I'll walk with you, if I may." Tom said, picking up Grace's briefcase. She gave him a surprised glance. 

"Sure." Grace paused once more just outside the main lab's doors to look back. Jenny was struggling to smile and waved. "I hope she will be okay." Grace said to herself. 

"We will do all we can to see that she is." Tom promised her. 

Tom escorted the doctor to her car and watched her leave. He wanted a few minutes alone to think. He felt sorry for the pain Jenny had endured. He would spare her more pain, if at all possible without endangering Sloan. But he found himself torn once again between his nature and his desire to be what Sloan wanted him to be. 

As a Dominant, he had strong instincts towards the protection of an unborn Dominant child. Those instincts were in direct conflict with his current actions. To keep the baby hidden from its own kind, to consider turning that child over to humans to study and raise, felt wrong. It felt like betrayal. 

Tom had already betrayed his own kind, siding with the humans. He had come to terms with that. In fact, as he had told Lewis, it no longer felt like betrayal. Partly because of his feelings for Sloan, but also because he truly believed coexistence was possible. But could he risk the baby on his hope for the future? Especially when he had no trust in Attwood's government boss. He grimaced as he tried to sort out the best course of action. 

Maybe he should talk about this with Sloan. Sometimes talking to her helped him understand these emotions he was letting himself feel now, helped him clarify his confusion. Yes, talking to Sloan would help. But later. For now, Jenny's safety was the priority. 

That evening everyone stayed late at the lab. After a semi-healthy take-out dinner Sloan challenged Ed and Jenny to a game of poker. Tom declined to play, choosing instead to lean against the wall and watch Sloan. He enjoyed watching Sloan. He enjoyed feeling her pleasure when she won a hand, her glee when she successfully bluffed. Protecting Sloan, pleasing her, making her happy had become his life. 

The game had become heated when he suddenly pushed away from the wall. Startled, the others looked up, but all his attention was on the hall door. Then they heard her, Attwood's government boss. Sloan and Ed exchanged worried looks. 

"What's the matter?" Jenny asked uneasily. She watched the others with wide, apprehensive eyes sensing their tension. Sloan strove to hide her own worry. 

"Oh, Attwood's government contact is here. Sometimes she can be overbearing." Ed snorted at the understatement. A slight smile flickered across Tom's face, but he didn't look away from the door. 

Attwood had been waiting. He moved quickly to intercepted the woman in the hall. Arguing with her, he took her arm in a firm grip and led her into his office. She tossed a look into where Jenny and the others were, but let herself be diverted. Tom noted, however, that several of the people who had come with her had stationed themselves at all the exits. Everyone, but Tom, jumped when the intercom on Sloan's desk buzzed soon after. 

"Ed, would you come in here, and bring those medical records with you." Attwood ordered. 

Ed forced a smile for Jenny's sake. "Ah, the Dragon Lady awaits." He said, melodramatically. Detouring by his office for the files, he presented himself in the door to Attwood's office. Tom stood in the door to Sloan's office, watching and listening. 

"Ah, Ed," Attwood began. "This is Doctor Jeanne Damphouse, an obstetrician." Tom noted that once again, Attwood failed to give a name to his government boss. The closing of the office door cut off his eavesdropping. Tom turned back to Sloan and gave a reassuring smile for Jenny. 

"Is she here because of me?" Jenny asked. 

"Possibly." Tom answered. Sloan frowned at him, not wanting to upset the younger woman but Tom continued. "She is involved in our work concerning the Dominants. She might be here to make certain you are receiving the best care you can get." 

"Can she interfere if she doesn't think you are taking care of me well enough?" Jenny asked Sloan, somewhat fearfully. Reluctantly, Sloan nodded. She gently tried to prepare Jenny for the possibility. 

"She might feel you would be better cared for elsewhere, with a woman doctor." 

"I don't want anyone else taking care of me." Jenny exclaimed. "I'm fine here." Jenny's breathing became shallower and more rapid. 

Tom stepped towards her, stopping just out of arm's reach. He squatted down and looked her intently in the eyes. "And that is what Ed will convince her of. We won't let you be taken from us, Jenny, I promise." Tom spoke with conviction. He had no intention of letting the government get its hands on this child, at least not until he had sorted out his own feelings on the matter. 

Jenny stared back at him, trying to judge his sincerity. Sloan remained quiet. Tom's declaration had startled and disturbed her. She wasn't sure what could be done if Attwood's boss was adamant about removing Jenny from their care. But she didn't want to further upset Jenny if it could be avoided. Finally, Jenny relaxed and sat back in her chair. She believed Tom and was willing to let him take charge. 

Tom and Sloan waited uneasily. They kept up an idle conversation to keep Jenny entertained. Jenny, on the other hand, seemed completely relaxed. She had accepted Tom's declaration and was no longer worried. Sloan had noticed before how passively Jenny behaved. The young woman seemed content to let others make decisions for her. Yet she had apparently made the decision to have the baby all on her own. Sloan was puzzled by the duality. 

Nearly forty-five minutes passed before Ed returned. He was accompanied by a trim woman in her fifties. Giving Sloan and Tom a quick look of triumph he went over to Jenny and knelt down, not quite touching her. "Jenny, this is Dr. Jeanne Damphouse. She's an obstetrician and she is going to be working with us during your pregnancy." 

Dr. Damphouse held out her hand to Jenny. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Vansen." Jenny looked from the doctor to Ed. 

"Working with us? You'll still be my doctor?" Jenny pressed for reassurance. Ed smiled widely. 

"Absolutely. Sloan and I will still be involved daily. Dr. Damphouse will be helping." He said. 

Jenny took the doctor's hand and shook it briefly. Dr. Damphouse sat in another chair. "Let's get acquainted." She suggested. 

Ed moved to where Sloan and Tom stood. "Well?" Sloan hissed. He smiled again, pleased with himself. 

"It wasn't easy. The Dragon Lady was determined to remove her from here. But between the medical records Grace brought, Jenny's two near miscarriages, and a rather sharp conversation that Dr. Damphouse had with Grace over the phone, we managed to convince her that to remove Jenny from our care would seriously jeopardize the pregnancy. Actually, Dr. Damphouse was a big help, there. She's a good doctor. Once she was convinced, she made it clear she would not support their planned course of action. So, the Dragon Lady's not happy, but we remain involved." 

"What changes is she insisting on?" Tom prompted. Ed grimaced in acknowledgment that not everything had gone their way. 

"Jenny's to be moved to a safe house just outside the city. Either Sloan or I will be there with Jenny all the time, at least at first." Ed looked at Sloan. "I know this will cut into our work here, but I think it is necessary for one of us to be with Jenny to reassure her. And to make certain she's not moved without our knowledge." He finished cynically. Tom looked at him with approval. Ed had gotten the concessions needed to keep Jenny happy and healthy. 

"Moving!" Jenny suddenly exclaimed. "Where? Why?" She pushed herself out of the chair and away from Dr. Damphouse. "Ed?" She asked, coming to stand before him. "Where am I going?" She asked, plaintively. Ed spared an exasperated look for the doctor before turning a reassuring face to Jenny. 

"It's okay. Really. You're going to be staying at a house just outside the city. You'll have fresh air, there's a garden and the house has a full medical set up so you won't have to travel for testing. Besides, you'd have had to move in a month or so when the penthouse's owner came back. This way you can get settled and know you won't have to move again until after the baby comes." 

"It's really okay?" Jenny persisted. 

"Absolutely." Ed stated positively. Jenny frowned at him for a moment longer and then nodded. 

"Okay. When do we go?" 

"Right now." Attwood stood in the doorway with the government woman. "Yours and Sloan's things are being collected from the penthouse and will be brought to the house for you." He turned to Sloan. "Can you spend the night, tonight, at the house with Jenny?" 

"Of course." Sloan said, smiling at the younger woman. "I'd be happy to." 

Swiftly, everyone piled into cars driven by men in suits. Attwood's boss had been unhappy when Tom joined them, but since Jenny seemed comfortable around him, she made no comment. She only gave Tom a long look, which he returned fully. 

The house sat by itself on an acre of groomed land. A high stone fence surrounded the estate. Tom took note of the security measures. They were good. Maybe good enough. 

Jenny was quickly settled into an upstairs bedroom for a nap. Sloan's belongings were found in the bedroom across the hall. Tom took time to make an inspection of the grounds and security set up. He noted two possible trouble spots. When he returned to the house he sought out the woman and told her of his findings. She stood, studying him for long moments. 

"Thank you, Tom. I will have security take those areas into account." She said politely. Studying him a moment longer, she raised a hand. Immediately, an athletic woman strode to her side. She repeated Tom's information to the woman, verbatim. "See that Charles is informed immediately." The woman nodded and strode off. Then Attwood's government boss, who while ignoring the others had introduced herself to Jenny as Maggie Winters, left the safe house. 

Ed and Tom stayed for dinner. The safe house came with its own professional cook The meal was delicious. Afterwards, reluctantly, the two men said goodbye and were driven back to the lab. Jenny retired for the evening soon after. Sloan stayed up a while longer, thinking. Then she too went to sleep. 

In the morning Dr. Damphouse took Jenny's blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. The data was transferred to the lab so Ed could correlate the information. For the next two days, either Ed or Sloan stayed at the safe house with Jenny. Any suggestion that they both be gone brought on an anxiety attack in Jenny. So, despite the difficulties being away from the lab caused, one of them was always at the safe house. On the fourth night, it was Sloan's turn to sleep over. 

As Jenny settled into bed that night Dr. Damphouse came to check on her. Stroking the younger woman's hair out of her face, Dr. Damphouse was relieved to find her temperature normal. Earlier Jenny had been slightly feverish. "Sleep well, Jenny. I'll see you in the morning." 

Jenny smiled at the doctor sleepily. "Good night." The doctor closed the bedroom door behind her softly. Jenny settled into sleep contentedly. She liked being looked after. 

The guards outside never heard a sound. Death was instantaneous. Black clad figures approached the house on four sides. Pausing under windows, they waited for the signal that the alarms had been bypassed. Each then inserted a thin tube into the house through the window casing. A faith hissing was the only sound. They waited. 

Jenny slept. Sloan was in her room, working. Downstairs, staff and guards played cards or read. Only one had time to notice anything amiss. She staggered to her feet and tried to reach the alarm but collapsed almost immediately. Soon, everyone in the house was unconscious. 

Jenny drifted in and out of deep unconsciousness. Time passed. Some subconscious knowledge was trying to wake her, but the gas was strong. She felt herself being carried. As she faded in and out she heard a man's voice, harsh, somehow familiar "no side effects!" The voice frightened her. She let herself slip back into blackness. 

Jenny opened her eyes cautiously. Her head hurt. She lay still, confused. She felt so weak. She could barely lifted her head. What was wrong? Had she been ill? 

The baby! She pressed her hands to her womb and felt the fetus kick. So the baby was all right. She lay still, straining to hear. Silence. Had she been left alone? Slowly Jenny sat up. She squeezed her eyes shut as a wave of dizziness swept over her. Where was Dr. Damphouse? 

Opening her eyes, Jenny looked around. She was in a medium sized bedroom done in bright yellow. It was not her room at the safe house. She stroked her hand over the flower printed sheets and comforter. The room held a rocking chair, bookcases filled with books, a desk, and a bureau. Jenny felt confused, and disoriented. Where was she? 

A window! Jenny lurched to her feet and shuffled along the wall to the curtains covering the window. Bracing herself on the wall she pulled the curtains open. Outside the day was sunny. She saw a lawn that ended in a thick stand of trees. No one was in sight. Jenny turned away from the window and looked around again. She saw two doors. She made her way along the wall to one. 

Locked. Jenny continued around the room to the other door. This one lead to a bathroom. She bathed her face with cold water and drank. 

Feeling stronger, Jenny explored the bedroom. Opening the closet doors, she found it full of clothes, maternity clothes, in her favorite colors. The books in bookcases were all the kind she liked to read. Word puzzle books sat on the desk. Jenny felt chilled. Wherever she was someone knew her. And she had a horrible feeling it wasn't Grace. She began to gasp for breath as nervousness turned to panic. 

The locked door opened and a woman entered. Jenny stared at her wide eyed. She was a stranger. Jenny's knees buckled. 

The woman rushed to her side and caught her before she fell to the floor. Frowning, the woman lifted Jenny easily and carried her back to the bed. "Who are you?" Jenny asked tremulously. "Where am I?" 

The woman merely straightened and crossed her arms. She turned to look at the doorway. Fearfully, Jenny looked, too. A man entered. 

She couldn't breath! Terror overwhelmed Jenny and she fainted. The man quickly crossed the room and checked her pulse. Then he placed a hand over her womb. Reassured that the baby was well, he stepped back. "When she begins to awaken, give her the sedative the doctor left." He ordered. With a last, lingering look at Jenny's swollen abdomen, he left the room. 

Attwood entered the main lab where Ed, Sloan and Tom waited. His expression was grim. 

"What!" Sloan jumped up. "What have you found out?" 

"We've pulled five good images off the surveillance tapes. They made no effort to hide their faces." Attwood said. He handed several photos to Tom. "Do you recognize any of these four?" He asked. 

Tom carefully looked over the photos. "This one." He said showing the others a picture of a white man with a trim beard. "He once brought a package to Lewis while I was training. The others I don't know." He handed to photos back to Attwood who placed them on a counter. "And the fifth?" He asked, nodding towards the photo Attwood still held. Attwood turned the picture so they all could see it. It was Lynch. Jenny's subconscious fought to keep her in protective darkness. Something was very wrong. Something she didn't want to face. But eventually her body rebelled. She awoke. 

Lynch! Jenny sat up and looked around in terror. She was alone. Lynch! No that wasn't possible. He was dead! Then Jenny remembered a news broadcast, Lynch had had a clone. But the clone was dead, too. Another clone? Jenny's breathing became more and more erratic as she tried to think. 

Before she could become hysterical, the locked door opened and the woman came in. Swiftly, she moved to the bed. Jenny tried to flinch away from her, but the woman grabbed her firmly by the arm. Before Jenny could react, the woman had given her a shot. Jenny gazed at her in fear. 

"A mild sedative, only." The woman unbent enough to assure her. "So you won't lose the baby." Jenny's hands slid to her abdomen. Slowly, her breathing eased and she let the woman lay her back on the bed as her muscles relaxed. Turning her head, she saw Lynch standing in the doorway, watching. Her breath caught, but the sedative kept her from panicking. She felt detached from her fear. 

Lynch stepped into the room, but stopped well away from the bed. He stood for long minutes, looking at her searchingly. "Be calm." He finally said. "I'm not Randall. I have not interest in harming you." Jenny could only stare back, unbelieving. 

"I'm not interest in you." He continued dispassionately, "only in the baby. You will remain here and be well cared for, until the baby is born. You need not fear me. Randall and I shared few interests, or traits." A mild look of distaste passed over his face. "I find no enjoyment in inflicting pain on others for amusement." 

Jenny looked at him, afraid to hope. With the sedative blanketing her panic, she was able to look at this Lynch thoughtfully. His hair was shorter, neater than Randall's had been. He was clean shaven and dressed in a suit. She searched his face for some assurance beyond his words. He looked back at her dispassionately, almost disinterestedly. She couldn't imagine Randall Lynch every looking at someone that way. He had enjoyed the terror, confusion and pain he had inflicted. He had watched her closely, reveling in her emotions. 

"What's your name?" Jenny asked, timorously. 

"Matthias." He told her. "You will remain here, with me, until the baby is born." He gestured towards the window and beyond. "We are very isolated, no one will be passing by who can help you. Someone will be here at all times. And if, somehow, you should manage to run off," now a slight trace of amusement crept into his voice, "we will have no difficulty finding you." Jenny swallowed nervously. 

"For now," Mattias continued, "Martha will see that you eat lunch and rest. Later, once the sedative has worn off, if you are calm, you'll be able to go outside for a walk." Finished, he left, leaving the door open. Jenny stared after him, torn between fear and hope. 

"He is quite sincerely." Martha assured her. Jenny looked at the Dominant woman questioningly. "He will do nothing to harm you, nothing to harm his child." 

Jenny looked at her, not understanding. "His child?" 

Martha shrugged. "Genetically, since he and Randall were clones, the child is his. And he wants it. So you will be well cared for." 

"And after the baby is born?" Jenny questioned, hesitantly. 

The woman regarded her with detachment. "He really isn't like Randall. I do not know what he plans for you after, but I am sure that there will be no pain involved." It was a rather lackluster answer, but for now, one that Jenny would have to be content with. She began to believe that she would not be hurt, at least for now. 

Sloan was sick at heart. Lynch had Jenny! Not Randall, of course, but one of his clones. Based on her experience with a clone, it might as well be Randall Lynch. 

Attwood had been notified of the kidnapping within minutes of its discovery. Tom had sped to the safe house, fearing for Sloan's safety. He had arrived to find her groggy, but unharmed. The relief had been nearly overwhelming. Then Tom had begun to think. 

The kidnapping had taken place in the early morning but had not be discovered for nearly an hour, when the guards' scheduled check in had not taken place. None of the people in the house had been killed. The violence had been kept to a minimum. These facts puzzled Tom, especially once one of the attackers was identified as Lynch. The two Lynches he had encountered had been men of great violence. Leaving the guards and the doctor alive was inconsistent. 

Sloan's anger and fear distracted him from his thoughts. He had been rebuffed when he had tried to comfort her before, but maybe now he could give her some hope, however fragile. 

"At least we know that this Lynch isn't like the other two." He stated flatly, jarring the others in the lab from their dark thoughts. 

"What do you mean, not like the others!" Ed raged. "He kidnapped Jenny!" 

"Ed." Attwood said quietly, but firmly. Ed subsided. Attwood looked at Tom questioningly. "What do we know?' 

"Both of the Lynches we've encountered before were rogues, absolute loners who took pleasure in causing pain and death. This Lynch was working with others when he took Jenny. And he left everyone in the house alive. Neither Randall Lynch or the other one would have." Tom explained earnestly. "And he won't want to harm her, emotionally or physically, at least not right away." 

"The baby!" Sloan followed Tom's reasoning uncertainly. "He won't want to hurt the baby?" She wanted to believe Tom was right, but found it hard to accept that Lynch, any Lynch would care. 

"Unlikely. And even if he didn't care, I doubt he could have found four others to help him who wouldn't. Our children are vitally important to us, they are our survival, our guarantee of existence." Tom tried to make Sloan understand how unlikely it would be that five Dominants would countenance the killing of an unborn Dominant child. He looked deeply into Sloan's eyes, willing her to believe him. "Jenny will be well taken care of, as long as she is pregnant. And I promise Sloan," Tom continue earnestly, "I will do all I can to find her in time." 

"And so will the government." Attwood added. "Tom's reasoning is good. Since Jenny is likely to still be alive, every effort will be made to find her." Attwood paused and gave Ed a sympathetic look. "Ed, why don't you put aside Jenny's test results you are working on. You can go back to them later." Ed gave Attwood a blank look. "Instead, concentrate on your genogenesis serum. If you can get it working we might have a way of getting to the Dominants before Jenny has the baby." 

It was a somber group who went back to work.