AN Yes, lovelies, I'm still working on HR, but this little bunny was nibbling on my toes, begging me to tell everyone about its workings. So, here she is!

DISCLAIMER Rah, I don't own...

Her legs bounced against the top of the toilet seat, her nails tapping against her knees. It was hard to be as anxious as she was quietly. Her hands were shaking and her breath was hitched. These, quite possibly, were the longest two minutes of her life. When had a couple minutes turned into a couple hours, dragging by slower than a snail in winter. "Dammit, I can't stand this sitting around," her voice rushed out in a whisper, not daring to speak in a normal tone. The man sleeping in the next room did have super hearing, after all. It would be just her luck for him to wake and come to investigate. Especially before she knew the answer.

She paced the length of the bathroom, stepping as lightly as she could. Her fingers drummed against her bare thighs, an old shirt of his covering the upper half of her body. Her hair tickled her arms, and she closed her eyes, her fingers trailing along the wall. Not that she didn't have the layout memorized, eyes closed or open. She'd been here long enough to memorize it all.

Checking her watch, she was astonished at the time. 0415. Five minutes had passed while she paced. Her steps were hurried as she crossed the short distance to the sink. The test sat neglected, waiting for her attention to be returned to it. Holding her breath, she lifted it from the smooth marble, shifting to better light, bringing the box with her. Two little pink lines stretched from the top to the bottom, clear as day. She placed the box next to it, rereading the directions. One line, not pregnant. Two lines, pregnant. "Oh God," she whispered, the test falling from her shaking hands and clattering to the floor. Se followed suit, landing with a loud thump.

Her kneews drew to her chest, her forehead resting on her raised knees. How would he react to such news, especially after being together for such a short time? Not well, she imagined. It wasn't like either of them were in the right line of work to raise a child, herself especially. As soon as Joan found out, she'd be reduced to desk work. The excitement of fieldwork was over for her, so soon after just starting. A year and a half, that was all the fieldwork she would be seeing, even if Joan offered it again. No way she was putting herself in danger with a child. She wasn't going to leave any kid of her's motherless if she could help it.

"Annie?" His voice jerked her from her thoughts, her eyes shooting to him. "Here," she whispered, her voice cracking. She knew he'd catch it, but she hadn't even known tears were streaming down her face. Immediately he was at her side, hands searching for her face. His voice was calm as he made shushing noises, pulling her close. She clung to him like he was her lifeline, the only thing holding her down. He was.

His shirt grew wet with her tears quickly, but he didn't seem to mind. He simply held her close, rocking her on the cold tile. His arms wrapped around her tighter, holding her as close as he could. She appreciated such an act. He comforted her when he didn't know what was wrong without a single question.

Eventually she drew enough strength from his embrace to draw back, wiping fruitlessly at his soggy shirt. He caught her hands in his swiftly, causing her to jump. It astonished her how he did such things, though he had done them the entire time she had known him. Always catching her mid-movement. "What's the matter?" He asked, hands moving to her face. His thumbs brushed at the moisture, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Auggie, do you love me?" Her voice was soft and se was sure he would pick up immediately on her feelings. She sighed when he drew her close again. "You know I do, Annie," her nose tingled with his scent. He smelled of mint and pine, drawing strength from him again.

"I sure do hope so, Aug, 'cause I've got some news for you," she paused, burying her face in his neck. "I'm pregnant." Her voice was so soft against his smooth skin, she didn't know how he'd hear. She knew the words clicked inside his head as his arms tensed around her. Not a good sign, she decided, drawing back and away from him, breaking from his grasp. The damn tears blurred her vision again, masking the man she was moving away from. She should have expected him to not take it well. What did you expect? A party?