The Beast Within

Chapter Sixteen: Tragedy's Bring People Closer

The next week was weird for Ecco, they never talked about what happened and it made her more confused, Jerome and Nyssa would either be at each others throats or openly flirting with each other in front of everyone, she didn't get it, what confused her the most was the way they'd both act towards her, Nyssa would hold her hand, flirt with her or give her quick kisses or even grab her sometimes and Jerome would send her lustful looks and flirt with her sometimes, feeling confused and fed up with their lack of communication about what happened she decided to confront them, Jerome and Nyssa were in the kitchen eating when she marched up to them "hey pretty girl" Nyssa said and Jerome continued to eat "what's going on?" they both looked at her confused "with?" Jerome asked and she huffed "us, well you two.. I don't know, you're confusing!" "calm down, take a breath and tell us what you're confused about" Nyssa said and Ecco did what she said then sighed "you're both.. I don't know, one day we have a threesome and the next day you act like nothing ever happened, and then you both flirt with me and you kiss me and hold my hand.. I don't get it" they both looked at each other confused then back to Ecco who was clearly frustrated and a little hurt.

"Look.. we didn't mean to confuse you, and we're sorry if we did, it's just.. after we have sex, it's over and done, we don't talk about it" Jerome nodded agreeing with Nyssa and Ecco sighed again "I just.. I thought I did something wrong" Nyssa shook her head and stood up, she wrapped her arms around Ecco and pulled her close "we didn't mean to make you feel that way at all, that was never my intention, you did nothing wrong.. and I'm still very attracted to you, but Jerome and I don't have sex all the time, most of the time I'm tired, but trust me, that will not be the last time we ask you to join us.. or just one of us might, Jerome might want to and I might.. don't worry your pretty little head" Ecco nodded and Nyssa kissed her lightly "does that make you feel better? are we okay now?" Nyssa asked and Ecco smiled and nodded, Jerome stood up and slapped Ecco's butt slightly to let her know that he agreed with what Nyssa said, feeling better she left the room to let them talk.

Jerome opened a beer and Nyssa rolled her eyes "it's ten in the morning" "it's 5 o'clock somewhere" she sighed and he walked over and put his arms around her waist "what's the matter?" "I feel bad, she's gone a whole week thinking we hated her or something" he nodded "I know, but you fixed it" she nodded slightly still feeling guilty "I know, but I just can't help but feel bad" he shrugged and pulled her a little closer "I know, why don't you tell me about the baby? that always cheers you up" "you don't care though" "I care about how you feel, and if it makes you feel better than talk away" she couldn't help but smile "so tell me, what fruit size is it up to now?" "a lime" she beamed and her cupped her cheek "I told you it would make you feel better" she rolled her eyes playfully.

"I'll be in my second trimester tomorrow" she said happily and he smiled at her happiness "that means you'll stop freaking out about losing it right?" "not entirely, but I will be a lot more relaxed" "good, I don't like it when you stress out, it gives me a headache" "cause you worry?" "no.. because I have to listen to you stress out" he jokingly deadpanned and she pushed him back laughing "asshat" "pain in my ass" he retorted and pulled her close "I gotta say, I'm definitely not complaining about your changes" he said running his hands up her chest and she playfully slapped his hands "is sex all you think about?" "I wasn't thinking that.. but now I am" "good thing you have another girl to play with now.. I'm going for a nap" she said and Jerome rolled his eyes as she walked away "I didn't realize pregnancy made you boring!" he called out as she left the room "you can always join me sleeping!" she called back, he did want sex but for some reason laying in bed with Nyssa while she slept sounded better to him,he quickly followed after her and they laid down.

Nyssa rolled over and snuggled into Jerome's chest, he sat up a little and she opened her eyes "mm, what time is it?" she groaned "2 AM" he said and she huffed "why in the hell are you awake?" "can't sleep" "why?" she asked hooking her leg over him and sitting up to straddle his waist and he placed one hand on her back and the other on her thigh "just thinking" "about?" "who's last name where you gonna give it?" "I hadn't thought about it, why?" "just wanted to know since I realized I have no idea what your last name is" "oh.. it's Raatko-Al Ghul" "Raatko?" "my mothers last name" "you don't really talk about your family much, doll" "not much to tell.. my father and mother are dead and my sister's a bitch" he chuckled and nodded, suddenly his face twisted when he felt something wet in his lap "what the fuck? did you just piss on me??" "what!?" she flicked the lamp on and looked down and both their faces dropped, her legs and Jerome's torso was covered in blood "Jerome-" "get dressed, now!" he said helping her up.

They rushed to the hospital and Jerome waited outside while they checked her over, for the first time in his life, he was scared, he didn't realize it but he had grown an attachment to the baby, and he was scared for Nyssa, he didn't want her to have to ever hear that she'd lost her baby, he paced the waiting room when someone put their hand on his shoulder, he quickly turned his head and was shocked by who it was "relax, I'm not going to arrest you.. not in a time like this, Lee let me know what happened" Jerome nodded "I.. I'm worried for her Jim" he said and Jim saw real fear and worry in his eyes, it wasn't like the show he put on when he was first arrested, this was real and he knew it.

Nyssa laid in the hospital bed worried with tears in her eyes, finally Lee came in "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, we're a little full up tonight" "it's fine.. just please tell me I didn't lose the baby" Lee smiled and she instantly relaxed "calm down, you and the baby are just fine.. you experienced something called heavy spotting, or implantation bleeding, the baby is just making itself known and preparing your body for a long stay" Nyssa smiled happily as tears of joy fell down her cheeks "oh thank god" "you're doing a great job, don't worry so much and you'll both be just fine" she nodded and Lee walked out, she got discharged and smiled brightly when she saw Jerome's fiery hair in the waiting room "Jerome" he snapped his head to her and ran to her, worry all over his face "are you okay? is the baby okay?" her heart fluttered at his worry and she nodded "we're both just fine" he relaxed and pulled her in for a hug "I'm so sorry doll, I'm sorry I wasn't in there with you" she nodded into his chest "it's okay, you're here with me now when I need you" he felt a tear escape his eye but quickly wiped it away and pulled back and placed his hand on her stomach "so.. it's okay?" "just fine and perfectly healthy" he let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding and cupped her cheek, she leaned into his touch and they both just stayed like that for a minute, at that moment they were both just worried and thankful parents that needed each other.

Jim and Lee were walking out to leave the hospital when they both looked to the waiting room to see Jerome and Nyssa holding each other, Jim looked at Lee and sighed "he may be a maniac, but I've never seen Jerome look more human than he did tonight, when he thought he'd lost his baby" Lee stared a little longer then looked to Jim "tragedy's or even near tragedy's bring people closer, he just needed that fear in him to truly understand it" Jim nodded and brushed his thumb over her cheek knowing she was thinking about their baby they had lost "let's go home, I'll run you a bath.. you need it after this shift" Lee smiled tiredly but happily and followed him out.

Jerome and Nyssa drove back home, they changed the sheets and got back in bed "I'm so tired" she said into his chest and her rubbed her back "go to sleep doll, I'll be right here when you wake up" she leaned up and pecked his lips and laid back down and slowly drifted to sleep in his arms, Jerome watched her sleep and his gaze trailed to her stomach, he sighed and placed a hand protectively on her belly and slightly rubbed it "I know I've made some mistakes.. but you're not one of them, your mommy is so excited to meet you, you gave us a big scare tonight.. I was even scared, but I'm glad you're okay little guy" he laid his head back and soon fell asleep, Nyssa wiped a tear from her eye and snuggled closer into him and fell back asleep.