Eutopia (Lloyd Hansen AU)

25

Autumn sipped on her water as she and Lloyd sat at the table having lunch together, the first time in a while he'd actually come home to spend it with her. He'd said nothing other than an "Afternoon Auty..." to her, which meant that he was pissed off, either by something, someone, or even both. 

Autumn knew his moods well enough by now to know that it was something work related. But like the good little wife that she was, she didn't ask. He had become more open to her in regard to missions he felt as though were not damaging enough to share with her. 

It was a big step, and from that she had learnt a little bit more about him. 

In fact, he had started to let her in just that little bit more. Sure, there were days where he could be incredibly controlling, to the point where he'd still be his usual threatening self, but that wasn't directly caused by her. All it took was something small to piss him off. As of late? He was more caring towards her, ensuring she got her rest when needed, that she took the vitamins needed for their baby to keep growing stronger. 

But for Lloyd? He needed his wife to focus on her one and only task. 

Their child. 

Nothing and no one could get in the way of that. 

Not even a friend...which was why he'd come home to lunch with his wife. That and to check in on her. With the baby due in a month, things had begun to become a little more serious. He'd had people in to prepare the nursery, anything his wife picked out for her or the baby, she got. Nothing was too much. 
Lloyd had watched as she had been in the nursery just days before, folding tiny clothes, ensuring everything was in its rightful place. She was organised and he liked that. 

And despite her reservations, she would make for a wonderful mother. 

There was just one more hurdle to eliminate in order to make her finally take her mind from being filled with nonsense. 

"You're taking a trip to headquarters with me after we're done here". He now announced to her as she looked up. 

"Oh? Any reason?" 

He set his glass of whiskey down and looked at her. "There's something I want you to see, that I'll need your input with". 

"I didn't think that it was my job to..." 

"It is on this occasion". He stated firmly as he cut her off. "Have you finished eating?" She nodded. "Good. Let's get going then". His chair scraped across the tile as he got up. 

Autumn followed, knowing that he wasn't in a particularly good mood. He was being snappy and direct with her rather than his usual calmness toward her that he'd been showing lately. The feeling of unease was there though, and now she wondered just what he wanted her to see. 

Linking her arm through his, he led her to the car and helped her into the back. She was finding it a little harder to keep up with his pace and grew tired a little more easily. 

They arrived at headquarters and Lloyd now helped her from the car, his guards now nodding to him as they walked into the grand entrance hall. He led her down the hallway to the very end where there were two double doors. 

Throwing them open, he made his entrance. "Brought you something, think you'll like it" He said to the person in there. 

Autumn walked in after him and stopped in her tracks, now feeling a little nauseous as Eva stood there with two men guarding her. "What are you doing Lloyd..." Her voice cracked. 

"Well snickerdoodle, I'm about to administer her last rights, and you? Well...you're gonna be the one to shoot her". He told her casually, like it was just a normal day at the office. Except for him it was. 

Autumn stared at him. "You want me to shoot my friend? And for what?"

"I don't know Auty...why don't you fill me in? Because Eva here has failed in her duty as a wife, failed to adhere to the rules...and to tp it all off? She's been leading you astray, filling your head with all kinds of crap." Lloyd replied as he circled Eva, hands behind his back. "Ain't that right sweetheart?" 

Eva simply remained silent, but with a determined look on her face. 

She wasn't going to be broken by him. Autumn could see that. 

"She has only ever been loyal, and this is how you repay her". 

"YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON THE FUCKING PROJECT AUTUMN!" Lloyd now exploded. "I know you talk! You think I'm fucking stupid? You need to start thinking about our child! That is the only one important thing you should be doing! Instead, you're discussing all kinds of shit with Eva?" 

"We have said nothing!" Eva now stood up for herself. "Your wife will tell you that as well. We've only ever been devoted to the project and our husbands, but because in your eyes I've failed to have a child, you're going to just get rid of me". 

Lloyd sighed. "I'm not", and now thrust the gun into Autumn's hand. "But my wife is...that is, if she is loyal enough..." 

Autumn's head was spinning, the room suddenly feeling a little too hot for her liking. She fanned herself. "Lloyd...please...I know you can be a reasonable man when you want be. Just let her stay..."

He now came up behind her, hands sliding around to rest on her bump, breath now on her neck as he spoke. "Prove that you are loyal to me, and we won't speak of this again". He murmured. "And if you don't shoot? Then I will be incredibly disappointed to have to do the same to you once our baby is here..." 

It was blackmail. 

He knew exactly how to pull the strings and she would simply have to follow his every command. 

"Lloyd...please, I feel faint..." She said, simply wanting to be out of the room as soon as she could.

"Autumn...it's ok. If anyone is going to free me from this hell hole, then I want it to be you". Eva now smiled and simply nodded at her. 

Feeling her heart race, and with her husband literally breathing down her neck, Autumn raised the gun and looked away, shutting her eyes tightly as she fired twice to ensure it was quick, and then throwing the gun to the floor. 

Lloyd's grasp loosened and he sighed. "I knew you were the sensible one". 

"Please...Lloyd I need to sit down, I..." She fanned herself but then felt an ache travel across her abdomen, one hand now clutching it. 

"Autumn..." Lloyd now kept her steady, "Autumn focus on me..." He demanded. "Let's get you outside..."

As he steered her out, her legs gave way from beneath her, Lloyd's arms quickly catching her and holding her up. "HELP ME WITH HER!" He now yelled to his guards. "WE NEED TO GET HER TO EMERSON!" 

She clutched at her stomach. "No...no it can't happen now! It's too early!" 

The feeling of dread was back, but this time for all the wrong reasons. Their baby was coming and too early.  Now she would be faced with the one thing she had been scared of. 

Bringing their child into this chaotic world.