Omega Lab

Limbo

Chapter 22- Limbo

The ambulance met Dr. Watanabe in the emergency room, dressed in scrubs. Bashir was filled with relief to find his colleague ready and waiting.

"I was doing rounds when I heard it was you so I jumped in right away to assist the birthing team," Kevin explained as they wheeled Sena down the hall. 

 Bashir shook his hand, relief pouring out of the normally put together alpha. "Thank you."

"We'll take good care of Sena and the baby." Kevin put on his mask and disappeared through the surgery doors. Bashir stood still as a statue watching for some time. There was so much blood. He clenched his fist. Please be okay.

A few moments later, Tenpo laced his fingers through Bashir's and gently pulled him away.

"Let's go get something to drink."

 Bashir tried to pull away.  His tongue was dry and felt like he'd been chewing cotton.  "I should be here."

Tenpo touched his cheek. "We don't know how long it'll take."

"I know but I want to be there anyway."

Tenpo sighed and nodded.  Bashir was a stubborn bastard and he knew there was no room for argument.  A smile lit up his face as he turned around.

"Congratulations, Tenpo and Doctor Bashir."  Cash held out a small brown teddy bear.

Kira smiled. "Either way, you're gonna be daddies today."

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The clock on the wall ticked away in the waiting room to the birthing floor while they waited.  The nurse in the emergency surgery ward got tired of Bashir harrassing her every half hour and banished them to the birthing floor where Sena would be brought when finished.  The seating was more comfortable and there was a tv.  Tenpo knitted a mint green baby sized blanket. Kira rubbed Cash's swollen ankles while Bashir wore a hole in the floor. On the tv, reruns of 1990's sitcoms were playing.

Cash felt his stomach tighten. "Kira, I'm hungry."

"Me too, Cash." She rubbed his stomach. "Be patient."

He pouted. "But-"

Not wanting a repeat of the park, she rubbed his belly.  "We're here for Bashir and Tenpo. Don't be selfish."

Bashir turned. "It's okay. We're all hungry and worried." He walked over and handed Kira a black plastic card. "Take Tenpo and feed him too."

Tenpo stood and put away the blanket. "I'm fine."

"It's been hours," Bashir put his hand on Tenpo's belly and looked into his eyes. "You must be starving."

Tenpo picked up the desperate plea in his tone and conceded.

"Feed my baby," he kissed the top of Tenpo's head and went into the hall.

They watched him approach the nurse's station and exchanged glances.

"Is it really okay to leave him?" Cash asked.

"No." Tenpo turned and headed to the elevators.

"Then why?"

Kira put her hair up.  She already knew from the park what was wrong with her long time colleague and friend.  An alpha she admired and cared for like a family member despite their endless bickering.  "Bashir's freakin' out and he doesn't want us to see."

The elevator dinged and opened. Tenpo slowly got on and pushed the café button. "He'll never admit it."

Cash put one hand on his stomach and tried to push the baby's foot out of his ribs. "How do you know?" The wood faced doors closed and whisked them down to their floor.  Cash was new to the team and didn't fully grasp the subtle nuances in conversation and behavior between the ones he deemed were his family.

Kira laced her fingers through his and kissed his belly. The buzzer dinged and Tenpo got off first. Kira started after him.

She didn't answer my question. Cash pulled her back as she started to get off.

"Cash, this is our floor."

"Tell me," he insisted.

She looked deeply into his eyes with a sadness that made his chest ache. "Do you remember when you were in the hospital after Kevin's stalker attacked?"

He nodded.

"This is like that. His babies are in danger and there is nothing he can do about it but watch helplessly. It's a horrible thing when an alpha feels they have no control and that someone they hold sacred could be lost."

He followed her out of the elevator. "But there's no way to control something like this."

"And that's why he's freaking out.  He's a doctor.  He knows what's up."

Tenpo loaded his tray up with an assortment of items from the cafeteria. Kira 's eyebrows went up.

"Wow, you're gonna eat all that?" she asked.

"I never feel full," he looked at the fruit and yogurt on Cash's tray. "That's all your're eating?"

Cash frowned. "What? I've gained enough weight."

Tenpo chuckled and rubbed his rumbling belly. "It's not going to last forever. Enjoy your pregnancy."

Cash looked over at Kira. "Can I?"

She shrugged. "You might as well. You've been miserable watching your weight. Enjoy it. It's almost over."

He smiled. "If you insist."

"There's enough to stress about. A few pounds won't hurt." She placed a sandwich and a drink on Tenpo's tray. "It may be a long night. Bashir will need something to keep him going."

Tenpo sighed. "True." He sniffed.

"What's wrong, Tenpo?"

Large tears rolled down his cheeks.  "I was so pissed when Sena got pregnant. I was the one who wanted to have a child. He didn't even want one.  I felt like, once again, he was stealing my special moment with Bashir." He wiped the tears from his eyes.

Kira paid for their food and said nothing.

"Did you wish for him not to have it?" Cash asked as they sat down to a table.

Tenpo stared down at his tray. "At first. Then I thought, 'it's cool. My little one will have a brother or sister to play with'."

"You're not feeling guilty about this, are you?"

Tenpo covered his face as he began to sob. "Yes."

*Poor Tenpo. 

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