Sloan giggled as she tossed one of the couch’s pillows at him,”I said I was pregnant.”

Ed wasn’t quite quick enough to catch the pillow so consequently it hit him square in the face. “Y-You’re have a baby?” 

Sloan grinned as she stood and headed toward the small kitchen in her apartment. It was Saturday and she and Ed were having their traditional ‘the weekend’s finally here’ celebratory breakfast.

“That’s usually how it works.”Sloan replied as she poured pancake batter onto the small grill. 

Finally regaining his composure enough to form a semi-coherant sentance. The young brown haired man stood and walked over to the kitchen counter struggling to control the rage that was building. His friend was putting up a brave front but he could see the anxitey and fear in her eyes. If Daniels had taken advantage of her in any way shape or form Ed would personally string the man up by his fingernails.

“Sloan,level with me.”Ed pleaded as his hands gripped the counter,”This happened while you and Daniels were on the run,didn’t it?” 

Sloan’s grip tightened on the wooden spoon as she turned to face him. She hadn’t missed the fact that he was now calling Tom by his last name. “He didn’t force himself on me,Ed if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“He’s always had a spell on you.”Ed protested as he leaned against the counter.

Turning back to the pancakes Sloan closed her eyes and mentally counted to ten. She knew Ed was only being concerned. That he was only asking these questions with her best interest at heart. In his defense she had just dropped quite a bombshell. “Tom and I are in love.”Sloan corrected as she flipped three of the pancakes. 

Ed ran a hand over his face,”Then why isn’t he here with you,Sloan?” 

Sloan couldn’t hide the shadow of pain that flickered across her face,”He thinks he’s protecting us.” 

“He’s protecting himself,Sloan.”

“That’s not true and you know it!”Sloan protested as she whirled to face him,”Ed,you didn’t see him. You didn’t see him after Lewis reprogramed him. Even in that state,when he had no control over his actions he still did everything he could to protect me.”

Ed sighed,”And I’m forever grateful for that,but it still doesn’t excuse.....” 

“I didn’t tell Atwood this when you two found us.”Sloan said in a soft voice as she leaned against the counter,”Lewis gave Tom a choice.”

Ed froze,”What kind of choice?”

“That he would let me go unharmed if Tom returned to them.”

“He agreed to that?”Ed asked in amazement,”Knowing what kind of *man* Lewis is? Knowing what his life was like with them?” 

Sloan nodded sadly,”Yes.”

“Does he know?”Ed asked softly. 

Sloan shook her head,”No,I only found out two days ago.”She rested her chin on her hand as she looked at her friend,”Ed,I could really use your support.” 

Tate took her hand in his squeezing it gently,”You have it,on one condition.” 

Sloan looked at him warily,”What?” 

“I want to take you back to the lab,run some tests. Make sure everything’s okay.” 

Sloan gently touched his face,”Alright.”She agreed softly,”But first we eat.”