Don't Play with Fire (Turks FF7)

23) I'm What?

"Congrats, Miss Mcgrail, you're pregnant."

"What?!"

"Told you."

"That would explain your 'illness'. Ever heard of morning sickness?"

"Oh god," I groan, face buried in my hands.

"It's not that bad, Kat. I have a kid."

"I've been drinking and smoking and all that stuff too... What if it winds up missing an arm or something?!"

"Relax, I'm sure it'll be fine. Do you know who the father is?" #-$+.

"No," I huff, trying not to destroy something and/or scream. Stupid stupid STUPID!

"I see," he sighs. "Well, I think you should at least tell someone so that it doesn't kill you." Elena? No, she's bound to tell someone. Rude? He'll freaking murder both Rufus and Reno with his bare hands.

"Okay," I stand. "Um.. Thanks, I guess." I pick up the papers and start toward the door. "Can you please not tell anyone?"

"I won't." I nod and leave the room, feeling suffocated by his presence. He's not happy about it either. I crush the papers to my chest, not entirely sure what's on them, but I don't want anyone to see just in case.

The stairs feel like they go down forever, the apartment hallway feeling claustrophobic. And when Reno comes out of his with a smile directed toward me, I feel like I'm underwater, unable to breathe. I bump into him trying to pass by, his hand clamping down on my upper arm. Much to my dismay, the papers scatter all over the floor.

"Reno!"

"Wasn't tryin'," he huffs, bending over to help me get them up. Freaking out, I slap his hands away and pick the sheets up myself. "Okay, geeze. Chill the @&$- out, Kat."

"Sorry."

"What's up? You're practically vibrating."

"I'm fine," I shake my head, peeking around him to find my door. So close...

"What're these?" He asks, starting to pry the sheets away from me.

"No!" He raises his eyebrow in confusion, holding his hands in the air. "Uh, they're just... Medical stuff. You know, height and weight and stuff."

"Why's that such a big deal? I already know that stuff."

"You do?" I ask, trying to keep this conversation going so I can get home without being bothered about the papers.

"Yeah. You're five foot five, weigh close to nothin', and you've got a blood type of A positive."

"That's stalkerish of you."

" 's what happens when you live with me for three years."

"So you stalk Rude too?"

"He's a not a pretty girl."

"Okay. Um, I've gotta go. I'm tired and stuff. Night Re."

"Night."

If only I'd noticed the piece of paper that had been slyly pushed behind Reno by his shoe.

~|~|~|~|~

Another morning of being 'sick' comes, me struggling to resist the urge to smoke. I leave after getting ready, getting into the elevator and riding up to the office area. Rude and Elena are standing close to the coffee machine, the blonde chatting like always. I get my usual cup of black coffee and join them, trying to be normal.