Chapter 1: Go Time

Carrie is in a meeting with Lockhart, Dar, Scott and Quinn, and in the process of defending a controversial decision she had made when she feels a wet trickle down her leg. A look of confusion washes over her face, which Quinn immediately catches, until she looks down at herself and sees the wet stain spreading on her pants. Her water broke - early, no doubt the result of her high stress job and life in general.

"Oh fuck," was the first thing that came to her and the only thing Quinn needed to hear to send him into action. He quickly begins to gather the papers in front of him.

"I think we're done here, gentlemen. Carrie…time to go."

Lockhart, Dar, and Scott don't catch on as quickly, having been operating as if the impending birth of Carrie's baby would somehow never happen.

"I beg your pardon, Peter, we are far from done…" Dar exclaims sternly.

What a dickhead. "Unless you want Carrie's baby to be born here on this table, yes – we are." And with that, he helps Carrie to her feet and slowly escorts her out the door. The three men still confused, look from one to another trying to figure out what is happening.

With a level head and steady hand, Quinn helps Carrie into his car, gets her settled in the passenger seat, and calls Maggie let her know what's happening.

"Maggie? Peter Quinn. It's go time. Yes, I'm with her now and we're heading to the hospital. Great. We'll see you there."

"Fuck, Quinn. I'm supposed to have two more weeks. I haven't even figured out a maternity leave plan."

"Well I guess you forgot to tell the baby about this."

"Fuck you! This isn't funny - I'm not ready!"

He could now hear the panic in her voice and turns to see the fear in her eyes. He reaches across the seat to take her hand.

"Hey…it's going to be okay. Maggie is on her way to the hospital and she's calling your OB."

Quinn's words don't seem to register with Carrie. Her fears is not about the delivery, it's about everything after. He looks at her again and she still looks terrified.

"Carrie," he says with a steady voice, "listen to me, it's going to be okay."

He didn't know what else to say. He knew she still didn't have a plan for what would come next. Sadly, Carrie still hadn't totally come to grips with the fact that she was having this baby.

Quinn continues to hold Carrie's hand while he drives. She sits in silence, staring straight ahead. She inhales sharply as she begins feeling what she thinks are early contractions. Quinn watches her.

"You know you're supposed to breathe through it, not hold your breath."

"Fuck off," she barks back at him. He smiles and shakes his head in amusement and feels grateful that it will be Maggie in the delivery room with her.

Quinn pulls up to the Emergency Room entrance with a screech where Maggie is waiting. She opens Carrie's door and greets her with a wheelchair and a smile.

"Okaaaay – here we go!" she says cheerfully. Quinn races around the front of his car to try to help Carrie into the wheelchair, only to be shrugged away by her. Maggie then turns to Quinn and gives him a warm embrace. Quinn stiffens and is a little taken aback by the unexpected affection.

"What would she do without you?"

He smiles, awkwardly, then looks down at Carrie. "You're in good hands. I'll see you soon," and he gives her shoulder a squeeze. Carrie looks up at him and smiles weakly.