Being Different

An Unwelcome Surprise

A/N: Damien and his father receive some unexpected news...

"Dad, I never got to ask but I can't recall coming home yesterday from practice..." I asked, when I managed to sit up and take some hot soup. I was at home since I hadn't been feeling too well.

"According to the caretaker at the poolside, some kid came running out of the locker room looking really distraught saying that you had lost consciousness and he needed help getting you to the infirmary, a kid by the name of Randy...

You managed to blurt out Hawkes' phone number which he called, so Hawkes got you home but you were in a really bad way..." He said.

My eyes went wide. It wasn't a dream, it really happened! I nearly choked on my soup! My dad rubbed my back and looked at me.

"Are you OK? You look like you've seen a ghost!!!" He remarked.

There was a knock on the door and Hawkes entered. It was a phone call from the doctor's office.

"I'd better take this. It sounds urgent. I'll be right back" He picked up the line and nearly yelled out loud. "He's what??? Doc, are you kidding me? Der...Damien can't be pregnant!!! You told me that you had done a thorough examination and that there was nothing to worry about! Those were your own words, doctor! How on earth could that have escaped detection from you of all people! Alright, we'll come in for some tests. I'm certain that he would like to know as well and what would be the logical thing to do next. We'll be seeing you soon, doctor. This will definitely go on your record for missing such vital details as to his condition!" His expression darkened as he put the phone down.

My dad came over and sat by my bedside, pulling me close to him as he rubbed my back again, his gentle gaze piercing into my eyes and into my heart. I began to feel overwhelmed with the news but I determined not to let it influence my decision.

"I suppose you heard all that...Do you have any further recollection about what happened during your kidnapping? Anything that could possibly give us more to go on, son? It's important that you remember if you can. What are your thoughts right now on this sudden revelation?" He grimly asked me.

"Firstly, I would need to know who the father is...but there's little doubt in my mind I think. There was a point during their physical assault on me that I blacked out. To be honest, anything could have happened. I need to know just how far along I am and if it can still be aborted. I don't want to go through nine months of labor for a kid I didn't want! It's my choice, isn't it?" I asked, feeling antsy about the whole situation.

"Of course, it is. I wouldn't want you to feel obligated for something that happened wrongfully to you. If you were indeed raped by those men, I swear, so help me, I will make sure those sons-of-bitches pay for what they did!" He brought a fist down angrily on his thigh.

"By the way, a kid named Randy has been asking how you are..." He mentioned. "Anything going on with this boy that I should know about?"

"Well, that day I fainted...He and I were...We were..." My dad raised his eyebrows at me and finished my sentence.

"...Having sex?" He queried.

I gulped nervously, mortified at dad's conclusion, and uttered a tiny 'no' to his question. He drew a hand across his face in relief. "Damien, I'm not going to tell you how to live your life or anything like that. You're close to being an adult...a responsible one I hope. But please, please be careful with who you go out with or even who you eventually do it with! You're still my little boy!" He pulled me to his chest now, tears dusting his clear, blue eyes. "As a parent, and especially as your father, having a son with your unique physical condition, you need to be very careful. I don't want to see my boy get hurt..." He gasped.