• the timing for this is Winter 05
• hormones get the blame for a lot of weird shit, but are they the only reason?
• finally, the ultrasound
• This one’s working title was Dream

Feedback: always appreciated!

His lips caressing her shoulder caused her to shiver in anticipation.  She reached up and dug her nails into the back of his neck, causing him to groan.  Her neck arched away to allow his teeth to gently gnaw on her shoulder.  His hand reached up and fisted in her hair, pulling her toward him.  She felt herself flush with her own building need.  She looked into his blue eyes and saw he was losing his battle for control. 

“Baby,” he said as he lifted his head from the delicious attention he was showering on her neck. 

“Don’t,” she mumbled.  “Don’t think,” was all she said.   

She heard his deep breath and felt rather than saw his grin before he pulled her tight to his chest, pressing his lips on hers.  She opened hers, welcoming his tongue with a sigh. 

She slid her hands under his shirt and up to his shoulders, effectively forcing him to peel it off.  He grinned as he noticed her tactic and his eyes widened at her proprietary gleam he saw reflected back.  He pushed her back onto her couch and covered her body with his, forcing her legs apart so he could settle.  She rubbed onto him and he knew she could feel his answering throb through both pairs of jeans.  He growled at her pressure and leaned in to capture her lips again, forcing himself to brace with his elbows by her shoulders. 

After several long luscious moments of deep kisses and her hands gripping his ass, he pulled himself back up.  He pushed her leg down and lifted himself off of her, rolling to his side.  He saw her eyes question his actions but he shook his head.  Grinning, he started to unbutton her blouse from the bottom and work his way slowly up.  Once he reached the last button, he smiled at her and licked his lips.  She wasn’t sure if he was aware of it, but she had to bite back a groan as she watched his tongue disappear. 

She sat up a little so he could relieve her of her blouse.  She took that opportunity to unbutton his jeans.  Smiling at her, he pushed her back down.  He reached over and traced the edge of her bra as it covered her breast.  He slipped his finger under the lace and stroked her nipple, feeling it contract.  He captured her lips again and groaned.  He was as impatient as her.  He fumbled with her bra, slipping the straps down first and trying to figure out the rest without breaking their kiss.  He was still struggling with it several minutes later, she realized.  She hadn’t been paying attention, she had been lost in the feel of his ass in her hands and his rock hard body molded against her. 

“Baby,” was all he said as his way to ask for help.   

She reached forward and undid the clasp.  It was in the front and he had forgotten that she usually wore that type. She could forgive him that, if the promises his body was telling her were fulfilled.  He trailed his tongue from her lips, nipping her bottom lips as he did so.  He nipped her neck again, causing her to shiver with her ache and desire.  He captured one of her breasts with his lips and proceeded to convince her that he did indeed think they were fantastic.  He always told her that, but now he was trying to prove it to her.  Her own need was building, building faster than she thought possible.  She groaned, gripping his ass and pulling her to him so she could at least grind on him and get some satisfaction. 

“Okay Baby, okay,” he said, lifting himself up and sliding his pants off.  Her eyes feasted on him, taking in every detail, noting every new scar and scratch, but mostly enjoying his maleness and beautiful body. 

“You gonna help me,” he asked, staring at her jeans still firmly on her.  She nodded in silence undoing the top button, unzipping them and slowly peeling both her jeans and panties off as she continued to lay on her back.  He grinned at her actions, she could be so damned sexy without even trying, his eyes told her. 

He lowered himself to her again, but purposely did not give into her yet.  Instead, he chose to shower her face and neck with kisses, trying to torment her until she couldn’t stand it any more and begged him.  He never got to hear any words from her.  She had other plans.  Instead she quickly shifted her hips and locked her ankles behind his back, pulling him in to her.  The feel of contact brought a loud gasp from both of them… 

Carrie woke up with a loud gasp and sat straight up in bed.  Oh God, what had she been thinking, dreaming?  She heard Mike stir next to her struggling to sit up.  She knew exactly what she had been thinking as the cold wave of reality hit her.  She pulled the sheets up to her, to help control her shaking. 

“It’s okay babe, it’s okay,” he rumbled at her in his deep roughened voice.  His hand touched her shoulder and she leaned into his touch, still smoldering from her dream.  He sat up in the darkness, wrapping his arms around her with her back against him, kissing her shoulder.  She knew he could feel her shaking and prayed he wouldn’t guess the reason behind it. 

She turned to him and pulled him close.  She wanted to wipe the image she had in her mind, wipe it clean.  She wanted to feel his maleness, his beautiful hard body.  She let her fingers trail across his shoulder, reaching into his hair.  She was already tingling out of her skin and wanted to bring him with her.  As soon as her fingers gripped his hair, she felt his breath quicken.  She pulled his head back using his hair so she could kiss his neck, paying particular attention to his sensitive spot just below his adam’s apple.  He growled at her attentions, sliding his hands down to grip her ass.  He expertly lifted her up and settled her onto his lap, making it easy for her when she decided she was ready.  He was always a thoughtful lover, even when she blindsided him, like tonight. 

She opened her eyes so she could see him in the dim light of their pale green night light.  She’d teased him when he bought it after their first night together, but he had told her how he stumbled and tripped in her room so she let it stay.  Now she was grateful for its illumination.  She could see ever ripple, every plane of his chest and shoulders.  She loved his beautiful body even though she never told him.  She traced his stubble on his jaw with her tongue and nipped at his neck.  She felt him shudder at her bite, smiling as she thought of other ways to torture him tonight. 

“Again,” he asked her as she dragged her nails across his shoulders and back.  She nodded in response to his question, forgetting that he couldn’t see very well in the dark, plus she just remembered he threw his contacts out tonight so he really couldn’t see a damn thing. 

She put her hands on his thighs lifting herself so she could impale herself on him.  She hoped he wouldn’t be surprised that she was so ready, so quickly. 

“Babe, you’re gonna kill me,” he groaned, wrapping his hand behind her head and bringing her lips to his.  He felt her thrust her tongue deep into his mouth, he welcomed her spicy taste and intrusion.  He closed his eyes, savoring the feel and taste of her. 

She pushed him back down so she could control their pace.  She started slow and easy, tormenting the hell out of herself because she was already half way there before they’d even started.  She managed to keep the pace slow longer than she expected.  He finally groaned and sat up, sliding his hands under her ass, effectively taking control... 

Snuggling up to him, she stroked a finger over his sweat slicked chest, listening to his breathing slow.  He still had one of his hands in her hair.  She noticed he seemed to like touching her hair, wherever they were. 

“Babe, what,” Mike asked in the darkness.  She didn’t answer because she wasn’t sure of his question.  “Carrie,” he started to chuckle, “where the hell were you when I was a horny teenager?” 

He mentally shook his head at her increased appetite.  It had spiked through the roof in the last few days.  They’d made love three times yesterday, all at her instigation and now waking up from some nightmare.  If she kept having these nightmares, he was going to have to start taking more vitamins and eating a hell of a lot more protein. 

He thought back to their interrupted dinner.  He was stirring the curry and just getting ready to start the rice when she surprised him by walking behind him, reaching around him and grabbing his dick.  He’d almost dropped the spoon, she startled him so much.  Last he knew she was in her room doing some work on her computer.   Curry had ended up on the ceiling and he knew that he'd have to clean it up tomorrow, but it had been worth it. 

He didn’t know how long this was going to last but he knew he couldn’t keep up the pace.  He was exhausted, but it never occurred to him to tell her no.  Not right now with all the other shit she had going.  He thought that might be a part of it, some of her insecurities and worry surfacing.  But she kept having nightmares that were causing her to wake up from a dead sleep and shake.  He heard her groans earlier as she slept and he hoped it wasn’t one of those dreams.  He heard her sigh before she said anything. 

“Kris thinks it’s because of the hormones,” she said quietly.  She wasn't so sure.  In all the reading she’d done, nothing like this was mentioned, not like this.  Maybe this was the start of it, she worried.  In spite of always telling herself she’d welcome it with open arms, she was terrified that is might actually happen.  Oh god, not now.  She felt ill at the thought.   

Hormones?  He guessed that made sense, sort of.  Did all pregnant ladies go through this?  Hot damn if that was the case.  He’d got months more to go, but there’d be an end in sight.  His only verbal response to her was a quiet grunt in acknowledgment of her words. 

“She says it shouldn’t last long,” she whispered.  She hoped that Kris was right.  After all this time telling herself she’d almost welcome it when it happened, now she knew that was a lie.  She was terrified that it actually would. 

At her words, he pushed back his disappointment.  Yeah, he’d just been bitching about it privately, but it didn’t mean it he wasn’t enjoying her extreme appetite. 

She didn’t voice her other worry that she’d jump the mailman, the UPS guy, any available man that came in range currently.  She was twitching and vibrating so much right now she didn’t think she had a shred of self control.  God help her if she was traveling with David, surrounded by all those beautiful bodies. 

“I’m sorry, Mike.  I don’t mean to wake you up or harass you,” was all she got out of her mouth before he interrupted her. 

“Did I say I didn’t like it, Babe,” he asked with a chuckle in the darkness.  “I don’t think I could keep this pace up indefinitely, but I am enjoying the hell out of it while it lasts,” he finished honestly. 

“As long as you’re sure,” she said as she leaned over and kissed him.  He wrapped his arms around her and smiled into her hair.  He was sure all right.  He had a vision of going through this kind of thing several more times as they expanded their family.  That thought, expanding their family, filled him with an indescribable joy and he knew exactly how he wanted to spend the next sixty years.  He was just about to close his eyes and sleep when a stray thought occurred out of no where. 

“Babe, are we going to go through the entire karma sutra,” he asked.  It finally dawned on him a second ago.  He heard her giggle and snuggle up to him tighter. 

“If you think you’re up for it,” she said as she traced the outline of his pec with her finger.   

“I’m willing and I’ll sure as hell try to be able,” was all he said quietly. 

“I didn’t want you to get bored, especially with me bugging you a hundred times a day,” she explained. 

“Bored?  Um okay.  I don’t see that happening in the next hundred or so years, challenging positions or not,” he admitted. 

“Do you have a favorite,” she asked as her voice dropped low.  He swallowed hard before he answered. 

“Oh yeah,” he chuckled.  “I’ll show you next time.”  He kissed the top of her hair and sighed as he felt himself relax in to an exhausted sleep. 

She waited until she was certain he was asleep before she slid out of bed.  His quiet snores told her when it was safe to slip out of bed.  She pulled on a shirt and some shorts, tucked the covers back up over him and walked out of the room.  She pulled the door closed to let him get some much needed sleep.  He was being so kind, so good to her that it just wasn’t fair.  She didn’t know why she didn’t always have pornographic dreams of only him, but she didn’t.  She felt hugely guilty about that and tried to make it up to him by being as giving as he was during their lovemaking. 

She started the hot water for some cider and flipped on her laptop in her office.  As that was getting up and running, she made her cider and checked the time.  Way too early to call Kris and worry her, even though that was exactly what she wanted to do.  How long was she supposed to be a nympho?  She didn’t trust herself to travel with David right now and that wasn’t good.  Lucky for both of them his schedule was light due to his injury and the season.  He still had appearances, but the days weren’t as hectic since he didn’t have to rush off to the arena afterwards.  She had been able to manage his schedule and the requested changes from home so far.  But she knew it wouldn’t last.  Once he started back in the ring full time, and the proposed program that had been mentioned started up, she was certain he’d need help on the spot. 

Maybe if she wrote Kris an email explaining her worries and asking how long she was a raging nympho?  Maybe that’d help ease her guilty conscience.  She didn’t feel horrible for jumping Mike at every available opportunity.  Okay, yeah she did, but he seemed to be okay with it, even though she could see he was tired.  She felt most guilty about some of her day dreams and fantasies.  What the hell was she doing thinking and dreaming about him, when she was the one who had repeatedly told him no?  Was she just a tease, was that her problem?  Did she really want him, but kept telling him no for her own perverse pleasure?  Shit, after all the years of court mandated counseling, she should be able to identify all of her neuroses.  Did she just have a need to fuck up her life, was that it?  Did she need to bring more complications into her already complex and busy life?  She didn’t think so, but that seemed the only possible explanations for her recent fantasies.   That word prompted her to recall some of the psycho babble relating to it – the creation of exaggerated images in response to an ungratified need.  Whatever.  She sure as hell didn’t feel unfulfilled.  Her body ached due to being extremely fulfilled so another bunch of babble down the drain.  She fuckin’ hated that shit and hadn’t trusted it then and distrusted even more as an adult. 

She took her cup and walked back to her office, pulling the door shut to keep the light and noise down so her poor exhausted man could sleep.  She noticed several emails from David that he sent late last night.  She scanned them quickly and got to work making the requested changes, fairly minor ones, but needed all the same.  Once that was done, she dropped him a quick email and text to tell him of the changes.  She purposely read her email first before she wrote one to Kris, trying to work up the nerve to tell her what was really bothering her.  John was due to fly in tomorrow for an over night stop and she was terrified.  Terrified of him, terrified of herself.  How could she tell him to stay way because she was a raging fuckin’ nympho?  He’d probably laugh at her and show up anyway, just to tease her. 

***

John followed the small woman into the kitchen so he could continue to explain why the Patriots were destined for greatness this year. She stopped unexpectedly, reaching for something in a cupboard. They were both silent for a brief second. His eyes widened as he looked at her, noticing her flushed face, slightly swollen lips. He swallowed hard, unable to take his eyes away from her lips. She had a tiny portion of her bottom lip trapped between her teeth. Oh God, he knew that look. He felt his body respond to hers of its volition. His brain was struggling to keep up with what he saw. His eyes dropped from her tantalizing lips to her breasts. Oh God, he wanted to stroke her already peaked nipples. His hand almost strayed before he caught himself and balled his hand into a fist at his side. His eyes traveled slowly back up to hers. He paused again on her lips, knowing he throbbed for the feel of her. He struggled to think, to form any words. His mouth was open, but he couldn’t get any words out. His pulse was pounding and he couldn’t pull his eyes away from her. Her tongue snuck out to lick her dry lips and he groaned out loud and closed his eyes, fighting for control.

His groan stoked her fire and she wanted to devour him on the spot. Oh my god, how could she ever turn away from him? Her gaze traveled over his chest and dropped to his jeans and she caught her breath as she saw his obvious arousal. She flicked her gaze back up with a tiny smile.

He looked at her eyes and noticed the color had shifted to almost moss green. That did it. He reacted quickly and reached behind her head and pulled her to him for a scorching kiss. He groaned again at the feel of his tongue inside her. He pictured tasting very inch of her, causing him to shake as he struggled for control. He felt her hands on his chest, savoring the feel of her touching him again. He let his left hand slide down to her ass, pulling her close. He loved to grip her ass. He ached to feel himself inside her again, he remembered how good she felt. He was so wound up, he started to consider the fact that he might actually be able to come with out any contact.

The feel of her hands changed eventually and he felt her pushing against him. He was confused as he deepened his tongue's probing. Suddenly she pulled away from him. She pulled her lips away, her hands pushed him away and she turned and fled with a sob. He blinked in confusion as he continued to feel his pulse pound for her. He watched her run up the stairs to her room and slam the door. What the fuck just happened? She still had the power to light his fire faster and hotter than anyone else and he needed some time before he could think and react to anything.

Carrie looked up from her bed, hearing his voice.

“Baby, open up. Let me in. Talk to me, Carrie,” he said from the other side of the door.

“No,” she cried. “Go away, please,” she pleaded.

“Carrie, open up,” he said, resting his head against the door. His mind was struggling to clear, slowly.

“No,” he heard her say quietly.

“Please,” he asked. He wanted to figure out what the hell just happened. Dear God, when did he get so weak? He couldn't believe that he had almost forced himself on her. The lock clicked and the door opened slightly. He pushed it slowly open and saw her resuming her seat on her chair next to the window, pulling her knees to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees and stared out at nothing.

“Carrie,” he asked as he stepped through.

“John, don’t. Don’t come any further, please,” she pleaded. He saw she had unshed tears filling her eyes. He clenched his jaw, hating to see her cry. He hated knowing he had been the cause. He stopped five feet from her, as asked.

“Carrie, what the fuck just happened,” he asked quietly. He wanted to yell and pound the wall in frustration but knew that wouldn’t get any response from her.

“I’m so sorry, John. I didn’t mean to. I don’t ever want to do that to you, it’s not fair,” she said, continuing to stare out the window with tears slowly trailing down her cheeks.

“Baby,” he said as he started to step closer.

“Stop! Please don’t.” She drew a trembling breath before turning her eyes to him. She saw he was still suffering the effects of her tease. “I told you I was fucked up and now look at me. I’m a fuckin’ teasing whore too! Just leave me alone. I’m such a piece of shit,” she wailed and turned away to continue her study of nothingness.

“Carrie, how can you say that? I don’t think that. I don’t know what the hell just happened, but it’s not your fault. I just as much to blame as you, ya know,” he said, struggling through the fog. He tried to chuckle to get her to listen to him and maybe tell him what happened. How had he misread her body so badly that he almost...he pushed that thought away. He stood in silence as he watched her stare out the window. He wasn’t sure how long he stayed in one spot but he eventually found his voice enough to ask, “You want something to drink, Baby?”

She shook her head in response without looking his way. He sighed and turned from her, knowing that she had retreated from him for now. He missed the look of pain and regret that passed over her at his exit.

He walked into their kitchen flipping on her electric kettle, intent on making her something hot and maybe soothing. After he found some cider for her, he opened the fridge and grabbed himself a beer. He took a long drink as he waited on her water to heat. His mind and body were calming down and he was getting more confused. He still didn’t know what happened, but her reaction was even more puzzling. He had just poured the hot water for her cider and was stirring it as he heard what he thought might be Mike driving up. He rubbed his chin as he thought about that and what to say to the man. How did he explain that he’d made Carrie cry and he didn’t know exactly why, and he sure as hell didn’t know why he damn near jumped her?

“Need any help,” he asked Mike as the other man opened the door and came through with several tied small white plastic bags. Mike looked at him and shook his head with a smile.

“This is dinner tonight, John. Sorry that it’s not,” was all Mike got out before John stopped him with a hand wave.

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to cook for me all the time. I’m just grateful you let me stay,” he said. He stepped away from the counter to let the other man set his burdens down and open the intricately tied white bags.

“Is she awake,” Mike asked as he reached for some plates in the cupboard.

“Yeah,” John sighed, thinking about what to say to the man and why Carrie was crying. Mike looked at him quizzically. John frowned and explained, “I made her cry, Mike. I don’t know why, but I did,” he said with deliberate vagueness.

“She okay now,” Mike asked.

“I think so. I was just going to bring her a peace offering,” he waved at the steaming cup of cider on the counter. Mike nodded as he continued to pull out styrofoam containers from the plastic bags.

“Go for it,” he said. “Can you let her know I brought dinner home,” Mike asked. John nodded and reached for the cup dubiously. He wasn't sure of his reception upstairs, but he'd try. He tapped at her door and waited for her to respond. He tapped again.

"Carrie," he said quietly. No response from the other side of the door. He tried the handle and was surprised that it was unlocked, but opened it bracing himself for her wrath at his intrusion. He looked at her seat by the window first and glanced around the rest of the room quickly, finding nothing. He saw the door to the bathroom was shut and tried knocking on that door.

"Carrie," he tried again. He heard some noises as he rested his forehead against the door. "I brought you some cider, Baby. I know you said you were cold earlier, so I thought it might help. Mike's back with dinner," he said to the blank door. He could still hear some sort of noise on the other side, but wasn't going to intrude anymore than he already had. He put her steaming mug on her dresser and left.

Carrie heard John's voice on the other side of the door and prayed he wouldn't open it. She forgot to lock it before and knew he'd hear it if she did it now.

Mike looked up as he walked back in to the kitchen. He frowned when he saw it was just John. "Everything okay," he asked the other man.

Mike had noticed John's confusion and possibly anger when he'd walked in initially, but wasn't sure that he was right or maybe he was just being fanciful. At Carrie's continued absence, he started to think his idea was right on target.

"No, she's in the bathroom and wouldn't come out," John said as he silently berated himself and his complete lack of control. He never wanted to force himself on any woman and he was even more disgusted that he's almost done it to her. Mike's brows rose at that information. He continued putting all the bags away and brought down three dinner plates.

Once he'd gathered enough serving spoons for their feast he turned to the other man quietly, "I'll go see if she's okay. She's been having a tough time recently, not sleeping and nightmares and shit."

John was taken back at that information. Carrie'd never had nightmares that he knew of. That might explain some of it, but damn. He nodded at Mike and continued to castigate himself for what he'd almost done. It was unforgivable.

"Babe," Mike said as he tapped on the bathroom door. He saw the untouched cup of hot cider on the dresser that John had brought up.

Once Mike finally opened the bathroom door, he saw she was oblivious to her visitor. She was also unaware of her surroundings. She was naked and huddled in a corner of the shower, with her head down. The water was pounding her, without any discernible reaction from her. He didn't pause to think as all of that registered. He opened the shower door and stepped in, fully clothed. He was instantly drenched but he managed to reach over and shut the water off. He knelt down to her and touched her shoulder lightly.

"Carrie," he whispered. He didn't get any reaction from her. Other than the fact that she was breathing, he didn't detect any movement from her. A horrible thought intruded.

"Carrie," he said louder as he touched her wet head. Still no movement from her. Oh no, he thought silently to himself. Not again. He reached under her chin and lifted her face so he could look at her and confirm his fears. She had that same blank look that he'd seen once before and it had scared him just as much as then. He slid one arm under her tucked legs and one arm around her shoulders, lifting her up to his chest. He stepped back out of the shower and walked with her cradled in his arms to their bed.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart. Just fine," he said as he set her small passive form on the bed.

He dashed back into the bathroom and grabbed a towel to dry her off before he tucked her in. He returned with one of her favorite big soft towels and wrapped her in it so he could strip out of his wet clothes so he wouldn't drip all over her. He grabbed a towel from the bathroom quickly and dried himself off in a rush. He knew he didn't have to rush because she wasn't going anywhere but he still felt the need to get her dry and settled quickly. He pulled on some clean sweats and a t shirt before he returned to their bedside. She was just as he had left her, but now her skin was pale and covered in goose bumps. He cursed himself, noting her lips were also pale.

"Damn it," he muttered. He slowly unwrapped her and started to dry her from the feet up so he could tuck her in quicker. At least that was his rationale. He didn't hear the door open behind him.

"She okay," John asked behind him.

"What," Mike turned on the other man in anger. John stepped back, but looked at Carrie's still form on the bed and her vacant gaze. "What the fuck did you do to her," Mike snarled.

"Um, nothing," John said, fascinated by her current state. She stared vacantly at the wall. "What the hell's wrong with her?"

Mike refused to answer, knowing he'd just snarl at the other man and he needed to get her into bed before he ripped into him fully. John silently watched as Mike gently dried her off and pulled the covers back. He lifted her legs and was reaching for the covers as John silently pulled them back up for him. Mike met the other man's eyes and remembered his own reaction the first time she'd withdrawn.

"She'll be fine, John," Mike said to ease both their minds. John nodded, but his eyes said he wasn't convinced.

"Babe, you're gonna be pissed at me if let you go to bed with you hair soaking wet," Mike said quietly as he dried off her shoulders and pulled the cover up. She was still sitting up, but unaware. He wrapped the towel around her hair and gently squeezed.

"John, can you go into the bathroom and grab me her hair stuff and pick," he asked the other man.

John did as Mike asked and stepped into her huge bathroom. He'd never seen it before so was surprised at the size of the huge shower. He turned to the vanity and sinks, thinking that her hair stuff would be there. After flinging open a couple of cupboards he found what he needed. He wordlessly handed the items over to Mike and waited. If help was needed, he wanted to be able to help care for her.

He watched as Mike opened the bottle of hair goo as she called it and put a small amount in his hands. The scent filled the air causing John to smile, realizing that was the scent he always associated with her. It wasn't her perfume after all, it was her hair stuff. Mike ran his fingers over her hair, trying to spread the stuff through. He knew she'd be pissed if she woke up and her hair was matted. He knew the other man was still in the room, but chose to ignore him for now. He grabbed her small pick and dragged it through her wet hair slowly, watching the curls reform as soon as he released them from the pick. He was humming to her softly as he continued to drag the pick through, slowly working his way through her thick head of hair.

"Time to go to sleep Babe," he said directly to her when he was finally finished. She swiveled her gaze his way and slowly nodded. She laid down as he pulled the covers up with a smile. He got up off the bed and leaned over, kissing her head. He looked over at the other man and jerked his head toward the door. He followed John out and shut the door behind him. John went down the short flight of stairs in silence. He was shocked, upset, confused and many more emotions he couldn't put a name to.

Mike silently descended the stairs behind the younger man, not ready to talk to him yet. He had too many thoughts swirling around in his head to be able to converse intelligently about something he knew very little about.

"Mike, you gonna tell me what the hell that was," John asked quietly.

Mike sighed and scrubbed his face with his hands before he said a word. He met John's eyes and motioned for the other man to have a seat on the couch.

"You want a beer," he tossed over his shoulder as he went into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I get the feeling I might," John said as his thoughts returned to his baby's vacant look and still form on the bed.

Mike handed him a beer and waited for him to open it and take a drink before he attempted to answer the other man's question. He had some of his own, but they'd get to them eventually.

Mike set his own beer down on the end table so he could pace as he attempted to explain the unexplainable.

"Carrie's going to be fine in the morning. Don't ask me how, but she was last time." At the other man's look, he explained, "It's happened once before and I freaked out so bad I called Kris. She told me that she'd be okay and it was just her way of shutting down. She said she learned how to do it years ago, as part of her training." At the other's continued silence and frown, Mike continued, "She's aware, but shuts herself off. You saw that she understood? I don't know what else to say. She only did it the one time before and that was months ago." Mike was silent as he remembered what had prompted her actions. Oh no, not that. His temper blazed to life before the thought even finished forming.

"What the fuck did you do to her, asshole," Mike turned on the other man.

John reeled back on the couch at the other man's anger. He was still turning over the idea that she could shut herself down like that. He'd never heard of such a thing before.

"Um, nothing," John said as he refused to meet his accuser's glare.

"Bullshit," Mike shouted at him. John slowly brought his gaze up to the man that had just moments ago been gentle and tender with his baby. He recognized Mike was furious at him and he had a horrible feeling Mike knew what he'd almost done to Carrie.

"The one time she pulled away was when I kissed her the first time. She wasn't expecting it and I know it freaked her out. You got something you want to tell me, asshole," Mike said through his angry glare.

John felt himself flush and cursed himself because he knew Mike could see it. He wouldn't be able to deny his actions, even though he was ashamed of himself and what he'd almost done.

"Uh, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I kissed her and she pulled away. Next thing I knew she was upstairs crying," John admitted quietly. He stole a quick glance at Mike and saw his fists were balled and his face was flushed.

"You sure that's all, asshole," Mike asked as he worked his jaw.

John nodded and took a long drink of his beer. He felt like such a piece of shit, so immature since he couldn't seem to control himself around her. He thought he'd seen her look at him with her eyes hot and her lips...God, just thinking about her lips distracted him. Shut that shit off and pay attention to her pissed off boyfriend, he chided himself.

Mike reached for his beer, considering the other man's words. Would that be enough to make her retreat? Considering all the other shit she had going and worrying her right now, it might. He'd try to ask her about it tomorrow. Right now he wanted to beat the shit out of the man sitting on the couch, drinking his beer.

"Do I need to beat your ass to remind you," he asked the other man. John shook his head, he did not want to fight Mike. "You remember she's off limits," Mike asked John with a snarl. John nodded but stayed quiet. It was a topic they had never discussed before. There was never a need before, John realized.

"Tomorrow, when she wakes up, if I find out something different than what you told me, I will beat your ass. Right now I'm too fuckin' tired anyway," Mike said as he turned from the other man without another word.

John watched him climb the short flight of stairs and go into their room without a backward glance. He let his breath out slowly as he considered the other man's words. She could distance herself like that? What the hell kind of childhood did she have that she had to learn how to do that? He knew about a small portion of it, and he knew it was a very small portion. She’d never hinted about anything that was so bad that she had to distance herself so thoroughly. He was trying to remember a term he'd heard before. It was what violent crime victims did or people who were repeatedly abused. What was that term, he fussed. He stopped as he realized he was avoiding what was really upsetting. He had made her feel so threatened that she had to retreat? That was unforgivable and he knew that once he got home, he was dragging his ass to church. He didn’t usually have enough time, but he’d make the time next week. He needed some guidance right now, so he set his beer down and closed his eyes. He let his mind empty as his breathing slowed. He sat quietly and bowed his head as he offered up a prayer for forgiveness and guidance. He prayed for his family, for their safety, for their health. He prayed for all the guys and gals he worked with, for their continued safety. After praying for everything and everyone else in his life, he finally worked his way to praying for Carrie. He knew she wouldn’t appreciate it, but he had to do it. She needed strength, from within. She needed to let others help her on her journey. He wanted to be there for her. But, even if it didn’t include him, he wanted her to have the strength to continue on her journey. He finally lifted his head and wiped his eyes. He hoped that she had the strength because he obviously didn’t.

As Mike closed the door behind him, he flipped the light on. She was in exactly the same place in the bed as when he left her. That in itself was weird. Seeing her sleeping like that was un natural to him and it made him uneasy. She was usually all scrunched up with the blankets covering her almost completely except maybe the top of her head. He slipped off his mismatched sweats and shirt, flipped the light off and walked back to the bed. He sat down and rubbed his hands over his face feeling his control start to slip. He let out a deep breath and flipped his side of the covers back and climbed in. After pulling the covers back up enough, he reached for her. She didn’t move so he shifted to her side, something else that was unusual. He pushed that thought back down. He put his arm up and around her pulling her close. She didn’t shift at all, it was like she was still not aware. He reached over with his other arm and pulled her to his chest. He buried his face in her damp hair as he felt the first of his tears start. God Babe, let me help you, let me protect you, he thought. As soon as his brain formed those thoughts, his tears changed to sobs. Oh geeze, what a big baby he was. She scared the crap out of him when she went vacant or whatever the hell it was and he didn’t know how to help her. He didn’t want her to ever be so scared that she felt she had to do that with him around. He wanted to protect and help her, he couldn’t imagine his life without her. He didn’t want to imagine what he’d do if she decided…he couldn’t even think it. Oh babe, let me love you, let me help you, let me be your partner, he thought, kissing the top of her still damp head. His recent indiscretion intruded briefly, solidifying his resolve to never let her know about it. He had too much to loose. It was a long time before he finally drifted off.

***

He woke up to daylight streaming in the windows and glanced at the clock. He started to nod off again, but the time finally registered. What the hell was he doing sleeping still? What the hell was she still doing sleeping? She was normally up hours ago and he didn’t remember her getting up. His brain started to clear the fog of sleep away and he remembered the previous night’s events. He looked at the top of her head and frowned. She was still in bed, still sounded like she was sleeping. Kris’s long ago comment about her getting more than four hours sleep came back to him. He lifted his arm up and away, easing away from her gently. He slowly rolled out of bed because he didn’t want to disturb her. Neither of them had been getting much sleep recently, particularly her with her recent nightmares. He’d let her sleep as long as she could today. She didn’t have anything urgent.

He’d pulled on his discarded sweats and shirt, stumbling downstairs, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He staggered into the kitchen and stopped when he saw that John had already run out for a pot of coffee from the local Starbucks. That was handy, he chuckled to himself. He grabbed a mug and filled it with the morning brew. He had just taken a long swig that was pleasantly scalding when John popped his head around the corner.

“Morning,” he said to the coffee drinker. Mike raised his mug in salute and gave him a small grin of thanks for grabbing the java. “How is she this morning,” John asked. He couldn’t stand it. It had been bugging him for hours. He had hoped he’d be able to be polite and wait until Mike told him, but he blurted it out almost as soon as he saw the other man. Mike set his mug down slowly.

“She’s still sleeping, John.” At the others raised brow at the surprising news he continued, “I know. But I think I remember Kris telling me she’d sleep. But the more I wake up, the more I’m not so sure.”

“She slept the whole night,” John asked. That was a first, if true. Mike nodded and his expression conveyed to John that it was extremely unusual.

“Yeah. She’s still sound asleep. I’m pretty sure that I don’t have to tell you how odd that is,” Mike said, alluding to Carrie’s time with the younger man. John nodded at the other’s words. Another thought prompted him to speak.

“Isn’t Dave on the road,” John asked Mike. He saw the other man pause in the act of refilling his mug.

“Shit. You’re right. Where’s her cell?” Mike asked as he finished pouring his second cup. They both looked around for the minuscule object, knowing that David would call her if he needed some help.

Mike finally found it by her small her chair on the table. Its light was blinking, indicating it had at least one message. Mike grimaced as he held it up to John with the light blinking.

“Any ideas,” John asked in reference to how to retrieve her voicemails.

Mike flipped open her phone and smiled as he remembered her service’s particular function. He hit and held the button, bringing it up to his ear. John watched him in silence, hoping none were from David. He watched Mike pull the phone away and press a button. Mike shook his head. John breathed a sigh of relief.

Mike shook his head, raising his hand. He mouthed the word, Dave. He walked back to the kitchen for a piece of paper so he could write it down. Shit, he wasn’t quick enough. He had pen and paper ready and replayed the message. Mike was thinking how the fuck do I fix that, as he listened to Dave’s message. He saved it and moved to the next one. From someone he’d never heard of, talking about something he knew nothing about so he skipped it. Next one was equally confusing. The next one was Dave again, adding more shit to his earlier request. The message had been left this morning, so Mike knew he needed to call his buddy, pronto. John was watching and worrying with Mike. He knew some of the things Carrie handled for Dave and he had no idea how she did any of it. Mike finally closed the phone and shook his head.

Well,” John asked.

“I have no idea,” Mike said, obviously distracted and concerned by his buddy’s request.

“Does Dave need some help or what,” John said loudly to bring Mike’s attention back.

“Oh yeah. Yeah, he does and I don’t have a damn clue about where to start or how to do it,” Mike admitted. This was his exact nightmare. Dave would need something and he couldn’t help. Shit, what to do, he worried as he dragged his hands over his face.

“Where’s her little computer,” John asked. He thought maybe that would be a good place to start since he knew she always had it near when she traveled with David.

“What,” Mike asked vaguely. He was still struggling with his nightmare of letting his buddy down. He poured the rest of his coffee down his throat quickly, hoping it would energize his brain. John shook his head at the other man’s actions.

“Did she have it with her down here, do you know,” John asked. He looked around the couch, peering in the kitchen quickly and walked back to the chair where Mike found her cell. “Here it is,” John said triumphantly. Mike looked over at him and frowned. He was worried about what he was going to tell his buddy.

John flipped open the cover and noticed it was a new one from the time he had tried to help her months ago. Things looked different. How the hell did he turn it on, he worried. He flipped it over and felt for any tiny buttons. His fingers felt a small indent and he pressed it, hoping for the best. The screen sprang to life. Now what, he worried, glancing at it. It looked very different than the other one. Think, he chided himself. Finally, he thought he tapped the right thing because a calendar popped up. Type in today’s date, he remembered. After several failed attempts, he succeeded.

“Mike,” He smiled and waved the small device at the other man. He noticed Mike starting to pace. Mike frowned and walked over to him.

“Do you know how the hell to figure that thing out? I’m pretty sure I don’t,” Mike said. He remembered watching her tap her keys quickly and things flipped on the screen too quick for him to follow.

“This is today’s schedule, look at all those little things. If you touch them just right, more shit pops up,” John said. At Mike’s dubious look, he said, “Trust me. She showed me once.” John touched the screen and everything went blank.

“What the hell did you do,” Mike accused John. John was confused, he didn’t think he’d touched anything.

“Let me call Dave and explain things first, then maybe he can tell me what he really needs, because I didn’t really understand a damn thing,” Mike said as he punched a button on his own cell. John continued to stare at the little computer again. He set it on the dining table and flipped it over, in case he missed something.

“Hey, Bud. I wasn’t expecting you to call. Good to hear from you,” David’s voice said across the miles.

“Yeah, sorry that I’m calling. I got your messages from Carrie’s phone,” was all he said before David interrupted him.

“What the fuck’s happened now,” David asked in a long suffering voice.

“Um, kinda hard to say really,” Mike hedged, scraping his hands over his face.

“Is she okay,” David wanted to know.

“Yeah, she’s sleeping still,” Mike said.

“Really? Isn’t it after nine at home,” David asked him. Lil’ Sis sleeping that late was unheard of. John was listening to Mike’s end of the conversation and was glad he didn’t have to explain last night to him.

“Anyway, what can I do from here to help you with your shit, Buddy? I didn’t understand a damn thing you said in your messages. Didn’t make a bit of sense to me,” Mike admitted. He knew Dave had several media things today, but his requests weren’t clear.

“Shit,” David said and sighed. He was in the back of a cab, riding to the airport so he could start his busy day. He had hoped Lil’ Sis would be able to get it all straightened out before he touched down in Dallas .

“It’s not a big deal. Don’t worry about it. I’ll deal. What the hell’s going on that she’s still sleep,” David asked.

He heard Mike sigh and could hear him rub his unshaven face over the phone. That told him things were not good - if it was after nine, Mike wasn’t shaved and ready for the day and Lil’ Sis still asleep. What the hell happened this time? Oh, damn. He just remembered Cena stayed last night. Great, that added a whole extra layer of complication to whatever it was. David waited his buddy out. He knew he’d tell him eventually.

“You care if I drink my coffee and talk,” Mike asked his buddy, stalling for more time and poured his next cup. David grunted his acknowledgement into the phone.

“Um, she got upset for some reason and decided to pull herself away last night,” Mike said quietly. David mulled over his friend’s words. What the hell was he talking about?

“What? Pull herself away? What the hell does that mean?”

“Um, I don’t know what it’s called but she did it before. Remember when I called last summer and Kris told me that she had some serious ass training?” Mike said quietly. He knew John was listening too. David was just about to tell his friend he was full of shit when he finally figured out what he was trying to describe.

“Ah, walkabout! That’s what they call it,” David explained.

“Um, okay. Whatever,” Mike shrugged.

“What the hell happened that she did that,” David asked. Things were forming in his mind and he had several guesses, particularly with their house guest.

“I don’t know,” Mike sighed. He glanced at John who had turned the little device over and was busy inspecting it suddenly. David also remembered Kris telling him she’d be okay.

“Okay, don’t worry about it. I can make do today. I was just asking for some simple tweaks to my schedule, nothing major. I can manage today. No sweat, bud,” David said more to assure his friend. He knew he needed to call Kris before he got to the airport.

“Hey, I gotta let you go. I’m almost at the airport. Take it easy today and don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine, really,” David said again to try to cheer his friend.

“Okay. I’ll let you go. Sorry that I couldn’t help you Dave. I feel like a major shit head,” Mike admitted.

“Nah, no big deal. Talk to you later and make sure you kick Cena’s ass for me, will ya,” David joked.

“Oh yeah,” Mike smiled as he looked over at the younger man. “Have a good day and stay safe, Dave. Take care,” Mike said as he prepared to hang up.

“Thanks, you too. Bye,” David said as he hung up. He hit the first speed dial button and waited. He needed to call Kris again this morning. When they had talked earlier neither knew about Lil’ Sis’s predicament and he wanted to make sure he was right in the fact she’d be okay.

***

John looked up from his contemplation of her device as the phone rang. He didn’t know if he should answer it, since Mike was in the shower or just let it ring. It stopped after the third ring. John hoped who ever it was gave up. He hoped his baby had slept through it.

She picked up the annoying device and held it to her ear, “Hello?”

“Carrie? Did I wake you,” Kris said in a cheery voice.

“Um, yeah,” Carrie answered as she looked around at the room, noting that it was late. She couldn’t tell how late but it was bright sunshine out her windows. Kris heard her confusion and sighed quietly.

“How are you feeling this morning,” Kris asked. She wanted to find out if there were any aftereffects from last night and also if she was still suffering from her latest hormone imbalance induced affliction.

“Stiff, thirsty, hungry” Carrie rattled off in that order as she woke up more.

“Well, it is late and you’ve been lazy sleeping all this time away,” Kris teased her. Carrie was quiet as she struggled to sit up and pull the covers with her.

“Shit,” Carrie said as images of last night permeated through her fuzzy brain.

“What’s wrong honey,” Kris asked.

“Damn it. I did it again, didn’t I,” she asked her sister and didn’t wait for an answer. “That’s why you called, isn’t it? Mike called all freaked out.”

“No, Mike didn’t call me at all. Dave did,” Kris said quietly and waited for Carrie to understand and maybe tell her why she went walkabout last night.

“David? Isn’t he somewhere between Dubuque and Dallas by now?”

“Should be,” Kris said quietly.

Carrie connected the dots and guessed that Mike called David and he in turn called her sister. She dragged her fingers through her hair and was surprised that it wasn’t matted considering she remembered being in the shower as she struggled for control. A sudden thought crystallized for her.

“David need some help this morning,” Carrie asked.

“Um, he didn’t say. He just called to let me know Mike called and why. He’s worried, you know how he is,” Kris reminded her sister.

“Yeah, I do. So, what’s on your agenda today,” Carrie said as she shifted topics.

“Not much, just got some groceries to buy today, nothing major. I was thinking about buying you some more clothes. They have their new stock in and your wardrobe needs some rejuvenating,” Kris chuckled. What she deliberately didn’t say was that she was looking forward to hunting for some cute maternity clothes for her tiny sister. Kris knew if she didn’t buy them, her sister would just wear oversized clothes and call it good.

Mike heard voices and cracked the door open so he could make sure she was okay. He still had to shave, but he was relieved to hear Carrie talking to someone on the phone and sounding like her normal self. Sounded like Kris, the more he heard.

“Whatever. If you say so. There’s still something I haven’t even worn yet,” Carrie admitted.

“What? No. They all coordinate, I told you that. You’re such a worrier,” Kris teased her sister.

“I just have a hard time imagining that that purple skirt will look good with anything,” she admitted. Kris knew exactly which skirt she was referring to and it would make her sister look like a million bucks, if she’d only trust her and wear it.

“Just try it, for me,” Kris teased.

“Okay. Next time,” she promised, hoping she’d have the guts to go through with it.

“How’s you’re other problem,” Kris asked. Carrie knew exactly what she was asking about since she had emailed, called and generally whined to her in the last few days.

“Seems a lot better this morning. I’m not twitching and tingling so much,” Carrie said quietly. The more she thought about it, she felt back to normal, not nympho-ish at all.

“That’s a relief,” Kris giggled.

“I know. Poor Mike. Now he can get some sleep,” she giggled.

“I don’t think he minded, do you,” Kris teased.

“No, that’s what he said. It’s been exhausting though. Plus, how do you explain the fact that I wanted to jump the poor boy bagging my groceries the other day. I mean, holy shit! Poor boy wasn’t legal, wasn’t even very exciting, but I seriously contemplated expanding his education,” she admitted.

“You didn’t,” Kris teased.

“Yeah, I did. That’s how bad it’s been. I’m just glad that it might be done,” she admitted.

“Wonder if Mike’ll feel the same way,” Kris teased.

“You’re bad. He’ll probably be relieved that he can get some sleep. I’ve been waking his tired ass up, I’ve been so wired.”

Mike finished putting his razor away and reached for a towel to dry his face. The side of the conversation he heard was very revealing. He smiled replaying her comments about the kid bagging her groceries. He went through that shit all the time, it flitted in and flitted out quickly, but it was just part of being a guy, as far as he was concerned. As long as he didn’t act on it, he didn’t worry. But it sounded like Carrie was worried that she’d even thought that. He thought about the sweet young thing that worked where he always went to get his coffee in the mornings. Would it taste just as good if it was made by some fat old dude? Probably, but he wouldn’t enjoy it as much. He thought it might be time to let her know he was upstairs with her, plus he needed some clothes anyway. He opened the door from the bathroom all the way and stepped out.

She looked up from her giggles with Kris and smiled at him. It sent warm fingers of pleasure through him, just her simple smile.

“I gotta go, Kris. Mike’s making funny faces at me,” she giggled again and winked at him. He walked over to the huge walk in closet to snag his clothes

“Okay honey. I’ll probably be over later with some clothes. I need to weed out the old stuff anyway,” Kris said.

“Okay, I know how you are. Thanks and I’ll see you later,” Carrie said as she watched Mike slide on his boxers with his back to her. She loved watching him, even more if he wasn’t aware of it because he was more relaxed that way. Oh shit, she just missed what Kris had said.

“What? I missed that,” Carrie admitted.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll see you later,” Kris laughed and hung up.

Carrie clicked the phone off and continued her appraisal of the man she shared her bed with. More than that. They shared a lot more, but she still shied away from even thinking about it. She flipped the covers back and met him in the closet as he was pulling a shirt on.

“Morning,” she smiled at him. His brows rose at her and the fact she was standing naked and unembarrassed. He loved the fact that she had little inhibitions about her body, frequently walking around in some state of undress.

“Morning, Babe,” he rumbled, wrapping his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. He felt the tension leave as held her to reassure himself that she was okay, seemingly be back to normal.

“Did you have any breakfast plans,” she asked, pulling away.

“Not really. We have a huge amount of take out to eat from last night, but I don’t think egg rolls and sashimi is good morning fare,” he said as he slipped on his shoes. She noticed he wasn’t wearing his boots today, so he wasn’t quite as towering over her.

“Oh? Okay. I just need something to drink anyway,” she said walking towards the door. Mike saw her and her intention was obvious.

“Babe, we have a visitor,” he reminded her. Her hand stopped in the act of turning the knob on the door.

“We do?” She paused for a split second and then grinned. “I don’t think he’ll be upset if I walk around naked, do you,” she teased him. She said it as a joke, but Mike felt his temper stir at her words.

“He won’t, but I will,” he said seriously. She lifted her brows in surprise at his words and walked back to the closet so she could grab some clothes to satisfy his puritanical sense of propriety.

“You’re no fun,” she chuckled as she emerged from the closet just wearing one of his Batista shirts. It was so large on her that the short sleeves almost reached her wrists.

“That’s not all you’re wearing, is it,” he growled. He was still simmering over her earlier comment. She rolled her eyes at him, lifting the oversized dress/shirt and flashed a lacy black thong at him. He walked towards her and shook his head.

“Damn, you’re no fun this morning, mister grouch,” she flounced back into the closet and re-emerged in a better but still ill fitting shirt and running pants. He didn’t rise to her bait of being mister grouch, he was just relieved and, he admitted to himself, exhausted. “Have you had coffee yet this morning, grumpy gus,” she teased him.

“I’ll give you grumpy, little lady,” he smirked as he reached for her. She dodged out of his way and opened the door, laughing as she ran down the stairs.

John looked up at her arrival and smiled in relief. She was laughing as she ran into the kitchen with Mike not far behind. He watched as she stuck her tongue out at the bigger man and saw his answering grin. He backed away, not wanting to get caught in their love play. He slowly walked back into the bedroom he used and flipped the game console back on.

He was startled when he glanced up some time later and saw her leaning on the door frame, watching him. He exited the game and turned his full attention to her. She looked like she had something to say. He had many things he wanted to say too, but he’d wait.

“G’morning, Carrie. You look like you’re feeling better,” John said. He thought that was a safe thing to say. He had no idea how or what to say about her state last night or his role in it.

“I feel tons better, thanks. How are you this morning, John,” she smiled. She knew he was bothered by the crowd reaction, but he was doing exactly as he was asked and was told not to worry about it, even though he couldn't help it.

“Pretty good, just trying to relax and get my head ready for the week. You know how it is,” he returned her smile. She nodded, but looked like she was far away, contemplating something entirely different.

“John,” she started and he met her eyes. “I want to apologize for scaring you last night and for freaking out on you,” she finished, looking past him and staring at the wall.

“Baby, I should be apologizing to you. I’m the one that stepped over the line and I’m sorry. I don’t know what the hell I was thinkin’,” he said quietly. He knew exactly what he was thinking in truth, but he wasn’t going to share that thought with her or she’d worry for her safety all the time around him. That was something he didn’t want.

“Honey, it’s not your fault. I’ve been having some issues recently and should’ve told you to stay away, but I didn’t.,” she admitted with a shrug. John shook his head at her words. She was always shouldering the blame for everything.

“How about we both say we’re sorry and call it good,” he asked her, grinning. She looked so damn cute in her over sized t shirt and warm ups. He wanted to see what she looked like under all of that, but suspected he’d get a black eye for even asking, particularly after last night. He was itching to see and feel all the changes she was going through, but knew that was a line that he couldn’t cross. Not after last night’s temper from her boyfriend. So, he’d behave himself and pretend that it didn’t matter, when in fact it gnawed at him constantly. His challenge was to not let her see, keeping the illusion that she was safe with him. He didn’t want to risk putting any more distance between them.

Carrie nodded at his words, thinking he was a nut. A sweet nut, but a nut all the same. She shifted the topic to work related issues.

“So, tell me. When are you going to drop that spinner of yours,” she teased. He grinned at her, working himself up to telling her another one of his ridiculous stories.

Carrie’s laughter made Mike pause as he flipped the morning paper closed. He fought down his jealously of Cena and the fact that he was always making her laugh. He wished he had that gift. He usually ended up looking stupid and sounding even dumber, so he didn’t try much anymore. Besides, they had their babies they needed to concentrate on. He didn’t think making her laugh was any where near as important as making sure she’d eaten or was getting enough rest.

Next week, he told himself. Next week they’d know how many and the genders if things went well. Plus, he’d get to quiz the doctor on some issues that had cropped up. Carrie didn’t seem too worried about them, but he was. He’d try to contain his worries about their kids until after they got the doctor’s full report. She had made him promise that much. Rubbing his hand across his face again, he remembered that Carrie had insisted that both he and Cena were expected at the ultra sound. More jealousy surged knowing that in spite of his protests, he hadn’t been able to sway her. He’d tried to explain his reasons. She’d listened politely the entire time, but smiled sweetly at him and told him in no uncertain terms that Cena was coming too and that was final. Women, he thought in exasperation. Who the hell understood them, he sure as hell didn’t.


***

Mike paced the length of the living room again, signing loudly as he glanced at his watch again. The small woman on the couch was not impressed by his hysterics. Watching him complete another circuit decided it for her.

“Sit down, for shit’s sake. He’ll be here,” Carrie said quietly. Mike shook his head, glancing at his watch for the hundredth time.

“We’re going to be late, Babe. I hate that. Doctors hate that. They’ll make us wait or worse, reschedule us,” Mike said in irritation. Carrie took a calming breath, knowing that his hysterics weren’t about the timing today, they were more at nerves relating to today’s findings.

“We’re fine, Mike. You worry too much. John text’d when he landed, when he got the car and he should be here any minute. Relax, honey. The doctor’s office is only ten minutes away. We won’t be late,” she said quietly.

“But what if we are,” Mike fussed. Any other words stopped as Mike straightened up and looked at the door. Carrie’s brows rose at his actions, thinking he was being just a little over the top. John would arrive soon enough and then they could all go and get the party started. Mike walked to the door, opening it before John had a chance to knock.

“Finally,” Mike said with ill grace. John’s face went through several emotions quickly, deciding on the appropriateness of any of them. With a relaxed smile in place that was wholly appropriate, he clapped the other man on the back.

“Good to see you, too,” John said with a laugh. Carrie’d risen at the door opening. She reached her arms out to John for a brief hug, ignoring the irritated man looming beside her.

“You’ll have to excuse himself. He’s wound up. You look tired, honey. You sure you’re up for this shit today,” Carrie murmured to his ear as he wrapped his arms around her in return.

“Yeah, Baby. I’m good. I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” John said seriously. Mike glared at him silently as he flicked his eyes to his watch, again. “Looks like we need to get this show on the road,” John chuckled.

Mike sighed loudly and nodded, grabbing his keys and walking back out through the door. Carrie shook her head at his actions. Once this was finished today, she was going to chew him a new ass for his childish behavior. John followed the pair, letting it all roll off him. Today was too important to let someone else fuck it up for him.

Once on the road Carrie broke the silence with, “Slow the fuck down, Mike. We are not late and these babies aren’t going anywhere, unless you get in an accident.” Mike thinned his lips, biting back on his reply. He did lighten his foot on the gas pedal, finally. John sat in silence at the wrangling going on with them. He didn’t know what the hell had happened or why Mike was being such an asshole today. He would’ve thought Mike would be his usual fussing self, not letting Carrie do anything, especially today. At least that’s what he would be like, if he was in his shoes. John shut that line of thought off, knowing it wasn’t worth the energy it would take for him to banish them later.

“You said they know we’re both gonna be there, right,” John asked, more to break the tension than anything else. He was fairly certain she’d explained to him a couple of times that the doctor or rather the technician was aware and cool with it.

“Yes, it’s all set. They balked a little when I told them your sizes,” Carrie teased. Mike frowned in confusion, but stayed quiet, navigating the traffic. John squinted at the glaring sun in his eyes, turning to her instead.

“What?”

“They had to find some scrubs for you guys to wear. Didn’t I tell you,” Carrie said seriously. She prayed that she’d be able to keep a giggle from escaping before she managed to fuck with both of them. John shook his head at her and shrugged. He was fine with changing into those hospital things. Whatever it took was his motto for the day.

“Why am I just now hearing this,” Mike demanded as he turned in to the parking lot. Carrie blinked at his anger, but forged on, intent on showing him how ridiculous he was being.

“Because it’s not important, is it? You did remember to wear shorts today, right? Not those god awful holy ones either,” she teased. Mike spluttered in embarrassment. John grinned, but kept his words to himself. His baby knew he didn’t bother with any underwear outside of the ring.

“Why the fuck you aren’t riding Cena about his underwear choice for the day,” Mike asked, easing the big truck into a too small of a parking spot. John stirred, intent on answering but a quick touch to his hand stopped him. She winked at him quickly.

“Because John isn’t wearing any, that’s why,” she smiled into the other man’s glare. Mike blinked in surprise, unable to think of anything to say to that. He slid his eyes over the top of her head to the other man in a question. John grinned back at him and nodded with a shrug.

“Why you would remember that is beyond me,” Mike muttered to himself as he slid out of the truck. He reached his hand up to help her down.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. You don’t have to change clothes. I was teasing you,” she said quietly.

“What? Why,” Mike asked, locking the truck with a press of a finger. Carrie pulled away from his obvious attempt at claiming her hand.

“Because I was trying to be funny and you are being an asshole,” she said, setting her hands on her hips and standing her ground. Mike looked back at her in surprise. John looked at his baby, knowing the other man was not going to win this round. He knew that look and if Mike didn’t, he was a bigger fool than he’d given him credit for.

“How can you say that? I am not being an asshole,” Mike whined. Carrie looked at him, knowing how stressed out he was about today, but that was still no excuse.

“Whatever you say,” she said quietly, grabbing John’s hand deliberately, taking him along as she left the other man.

“Baby, you’re bad,” was all John said quietly. Carrie nodded, knowing that Mike would catch up quickly. He wouldn’t want to be left out. Her left hand was quickly captured by Mike. She glanced at him briefly, noting his thunderous expression.

“Am not,” he said quietly. She looked him in the eyes and nodded. John gave her other hand a gentle squeeze. God, give her strength. This was just the beginning…

Once they were in the room, waiting on the tech, Mike looked around at the strange looking machine. John looked at the paper covered exam table with a smirk.

“Baby, do you need me to pull these things out for you,” he asked in reference to the stirrups.

“Oh fuck off,” Carrie giggled. “That’s only one time a year thank you and that is not today.” John winked at her but refrained from comment.

“You sure we don’t have to change,” Mike asked, clearly worried that no one had suggested it yet. The door opened to admit a young man in scrubs as Mike finished his question.

“What was that, sir,” the technician asked. Mike glanced at him and flashed a glare at Carrie, clearing asking why he was in scrubs and they were not. Carrie rolled her eyes at him and read the tech’s name badge.

“Gabe, is it?” At an answering nod she continued. “Mike thought he’d have to wear scrubs today and he thinks he’s missing out on something,” Carrie explained. The tech smiled back at her, looking way too young in her eyes to be out of school, let alone be known as one of the premier ultrasound techs in the region.

“Ah. Mister Adams and Mister Cena? Don’t worry about the scrubs, guys. You’ll get your chance during delivery and stuff. I’m wearing them so I don’t have to do laundry,” he explained with a straight face. John chuckled and shook his hand introducing himself. Mike quickly followed suit, not wanting to look like an asshole. Gabe busied himself with the machine, turning it on, trying to remind himself that his patients’ right to privacy was foremost. He was very aware of the identity of his patient this morning, including both potential fathers. He knew of both of them. His dad used to work with Mister Adams, having nothing but good things to say about him. And he was a long time wrestling fan so he knew the name John Cena very well.

“Miss Martin, is there anything you want to ask before we get this started,” Gabe asked, putting on his gloves. He glanced at her chart and pulled the gloves off with a grimace. “Sorry,” he said quietly, slipping on a different pair. She nodded at his actions.

“Um, no. I don’t think so. If you can tell the sex of the babies, we want to know,” she said quietly, sending out her own private prayer. Both big men nodded at her words. Gabe smiled in response, most people wanted to know if possible. Pointing out that the men needed to stand by Carrie’s head and out of his way, Gabe positioned Carrie on the exam table. He propped it up a little, making it almost a forty five degree angle. A position he knew was uncomfortable, but usually yielded the best results with small women.

Gabe lifted her shirt, exposing her rounded tummy. Because of her posture, her tummy looked particularly rounded, when in fact it wasn’t much more than a small bump currently.

“Look at you, baby. You could give Umaga a run for his money with that gut,” John teased. She laughed with him, taking no offense at his words. Mike refrained from comment, too worried to joke about anything.

Gabe took a tube of liquid, telling his patient that it would be cold as he squeezed the gel on to her tummy. It always was, even if he carried it in his pocket beforehand. He made sure to smear some low on her abdomen, thinking that she was probably carrying very low considering how small she looked. Mike and John each grabbed a hand and stood in silence as Gabe moved the weird looking probe over her bump. All was silent as Gabe moved the probe around, looking at shadows that made no sense to anyone else in the room.

“Okay,” he finally said. “I understand you know you’ve got two in here, right,” he asked. Carrie nodded in silence. John and Mike both blinked, looking at each other at the unexpected news. There’d be time for words later, Mike’s look clearly said.

“Twins,” John asked quietly.

“Yes, Mister Cena. Let me show you,” Gabe said as he moved the wand and stopped to tap some keys on the machine. “Here is one,” he said just before he moved the wand again. "And here is the other." John frowned, staring at the shadows on the screen. They didn't look like a damn thing to him. Gabe continued, pausing to tap on keys at seemingly random times. The three perspective parents were silent and watchful.

"Okay, I think we can safely say that these babies will be making their entrance into the world around the first of May." At the techs words, two sets of eyes frowned as they attempted to do that math in their heads, trying to possibly guess better at the parentage. "Did you want to hear them," Gabe asked, smiling at the woman reclined. She nodded in silence. A few seconds later, the rapid sound of a fetal heartbeat was heard in the room.

"Is it always that fast," John asked. Gabe nodded.

"Yup, they got lots of growing to do," he explained with another grin. He shifted the probe across Carrie's tummy to find the other baby. Another rapid thumping filled the room with it's life assuring sound. Carrie listened in silence to the sounds of her babies, knowing tears of joy were sliding down her cheeks. She never thought she'd get to experience being a mother and now she was hearing the proof of her changed reality. She felt Mike's grip tighten, telling her he was aware of her tears and probably had a few of his own. She couldn't tell, she couldn't see well enough to notice.

"Let's see if these babies will cooperate and show us what they got, huh," Gabe said, moving the wand over Carrie's tummy again. In the few seconds of silence, all three waited impatiently. "You know you've got twins, but did you know they're sharing a placenta, Miss Martin? This means in all likelihood they'll be identical." Carrie nodded, she remembered.

"No shit," was all John could say. Mike hadn't spoken a word in many minutes, he was too overwhelmed.

"Ah ha," Gabe cried. "We can definitely see something there. See that," he pointed to one of the blobs on the screen. All three tried to peer at it intelligently. "I think I can safely say you are going to be having twin boys, Miss Martin." A split second later both potential fathers let out their own roars and high five'd each other spontaneously.

"You sure," John asked through his mile wide grin. He still couldn't see what the hell there was to see. Gabe nodded and pointed at a shape in the shadow. John peered at the blob on the screen. "You mean? That's...that's his junk?" John's grin took over his entire face. Mike let out a relieved sigh, touching Carrie's tears in an attempt to stem their flow. Gabe moved the wand to the other blob on the screen with a smile.

"Yup, both of them are showing us what they got today," he grinned.

Carrie had half a second warning of Mike's grip going slack, making her look at him quickly.

"Mike," she asked slowly. The man in question had gone pale and quiet. "Oh fuck! John, catch him," she said as she saw Mike start to sway. John leaped behind her head in time to stop the other man from toppling over.

"Easy buddy. I got ya," John said, easing him down into one of the small chairs in the room. Without prompting, John pushed the man's head forward to his knees. He'd dealt with people passing out before.

Gabe had been speechless in the few seconds it had taken for John to catch the other large man. Now, his brows were climbing high in surprise, at both the lightheaded man and the WWE superstar that was quick enough to catch him.

"There's always a first time for everything," he said, mostly to himself.

"No one's ever fainted before," Carrie asked, taking the offered paper towels to wipe the goo off.

"No, not at this stage of the game. Usually they save it until the very end," Gabe said with a smile.
 

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