Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 20: Inverted numbers won't fix themselves

Flashback:

Miami Medical Research Facility

Miami, Florida

March 2001

Juliet knew that inverted numbers didn't fix themselves. She needed print-outs and she would go home and fix them by hand. Then fax them back to work. Have David put them in the computer. She knew by now her coworkers had noticed her waddle when she walked. The hire-ups above Ed eventually found out that Nora had made a critical mistake and she was let go. So Juliet didn't have to worry about her anymore. The rest of her coworkers knew about her condition now, but they kept quiet about it. It was strange, the mood in the lab was almost eerily calm. Reaching her desk, she found the papers she was looking for. David approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder, nearly startling her.

"Hey Jules. You should really be off your feet. I don't like the looks of those ankles. You want me to walk you back to your car? Or better yet, I can take you home?"

Juliet shook her head and smiled.

"That's sweet of you David, but I'm ok. Oh not again. This is the 47th time today I've had to pee."

David watched as she gathered up her papers with the inverted numbers and left the lab. He wasn't going to let her just leave by herself. Juliet made her way to the bathroom and locked herself in. Making her way to the counter she gripped it and took a breath.

"Not here baby."

She heard a knock on the door and then David's voice.

"Juliet it's David. Is everything alright in there?"

Shutting her eyes and then opening them, she strode over to the door and opened it up, letting David it and shutting it. Locking it up tight she sighed.

"David I'm in labor."

David's eyes widened, but he somehow knew she'd been like that for a while.

"Ok. Let's get you comfortable. Here. Use my jacket as a pillow."

His brain kicked into overdrive and he went over to the emergency kit attached to the wall. Opening it up, he found a pair of surgical scissors, some gauze, a scalpel, gloves, antibiotic ointment and some peroxide. The only things of use to David were the surgical scissors, gauze, scalpel and gloves. Everything else he set aside on the counter. Unlocking the door and peeking his head out, he found one of the cleaning ladies had parked the restroom cart just outside. She was busy cleaning the single men's restroom. Grabbing for a handful of towels, David went back to Juliet, shutting and locking the door.

"Here, this ought to help out a lot."

Helping Juliet settle on the bathroom floor, David went about organizing everything he needed. Juliet looked up at him with wide eyes.

"By surprise, I didn't mean I wanted this baby to be born on a bathroom floor of where I work."

Placing gentle hands atop her stomach she stroked it and continued her thought.

"Please don't hurt me on the way out ok?"

David shot her a sympathetic look and got up once more to turn on the tap in the sink. This was the only way he could make it drown out her screaming.

"There, that should drown out your screams."

Juliet shook her head and pointed to something on the ceiling.

"Not if that camera has anything to say about it. Look, the little red blinking light."

David swore under his breath and looked up at the camera mounted by the door and aimed at the sink.