Chapter 17 - Ice

The fire we built between us burned through the night and we snuck out to the extraction zone early that morning.

When we got back to Sunset Valley we went straight to Devon and handed in the photograph along with another small something that I managed to pick up while I was inside the command tent.

A small chest with an inscribed disk inside. While I was frantically snapping pictures it caught my eye and it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Blue and I were given a couple days off to rest up with the tech team worked on the photographs and disk. We were feeling to full of excitement and adrenaline to just take it easy so we decided to go for a jog down the our beach.

Well that was unexpected. It has been a long time where a hard workout has made me feel sick and I know it isn't anything I have eaten. And I couldn't be...

Uhoh.  I turned to Blue. He had a confused and slightly worried look on his face.

Suddenly I was nervous. If I'm right, if I'm pregnant, well we've never got a chance to talk about it. Not knowing where to begin I stumbled through the words. "Blue, um, well, you know when we were so cold in that tent and..."
That half smile curved across his face. "How could forget that my little fire."
"Yes, well, you see, I think, Blue I think I'm pregnant."

His jaw dropped open and he stood there for a moment looking dumbstruck. I feel like the silence stretched for what seemed like an eternity until he came back to the moment. "Rosé are you sure?"
"It's the only thing that makes sense. I know it isn't anything we've talked about or planned, but I think you are about to be a daddy."

A look of awe crossed his face and slowly that half smile broke into a full grin. "I'm going to be a daddy," he said still half shock. "Rosé that is amazing! I can't believe it. I'm going to be a daddy!" With that he scooped me into his arms and carried me all the way home.

The pregnancy soon became too noticeable to hide and we had to tell the agency.

 Obviously I had to be removed from active duty for the duration of my pregnancy but life had been moving at such a breakneck pace lately that I didn't mind nearly as much as I thought I would. Blue was kept on and very soon sent out to investigate a lead on a possible piece of this 'puzzle' we were trying to solve before mum did. I decided that before I got to far advanced I would pay a visit to Plum and Blaze and share the news.

Looks like I wasn't the only one with a bit of news. Blaze and I sat around chatting and gossiping like school girls for hours until Plum came home from work.

Blue was becoming so involved in the pregnancy.

Before this little miracle came into our lives I never would have thought of us as a typical family but now I would sometime just sit and daydream about a normal family life.

The days and months slipped by. After we had snuck into their hideout the RATS had promptly packed up and left to whereabouts unknown. Blue was working harder than ever to crack the case. I think he too sensed that perhaps it was time to move away from a life of intrigue. Before I knew it the day I had been dreaming about and dreading in equal measure arrived.

Blue rushed me to the hospital. Our little miracle now had a face and a name. Bondi Kei Parfait meet the world.

Unfortunately our little family moment didn't last long. Blue was getting very close to cracking the case and was sent out soon after Bondi's birth on what he believed might be the last big mission. Not wanting to sit home and worry I once again trespassed on Plum and Blaze. They had just had their little girl, Almond, and we spent a wonderfully cosy evening sitting around as a family.

Plum walked me to the door cuddling Bondi. As he was saying goodbye I heard the noise of a motorcycle from the street. Wrapped up in the warmth of the moment it didn't register right away.

By the time I looked up there was no one there. I am not sure why but it caused a feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. There are plenty of motorcycles around these days. Convincing myself it was just some kid showing off I made my way home. With Blue gone the house was empty and dark. Tonight it had almost an eerie feel to it. Shivering slightly I quickly opened the door in hopes of making the feeling disappear with a bit of light. Thoughts of comfort were quickly dashed out of me by the sight of a notepad.

They had Blue. And the only way to get him back was to steal the box, the very box that was key to cracking this case. I had to choose. Do nothing and hope the agency cracked the case, track down the RATS and bring Blue back. Or steal the box from the agency and use it to ransom Blue.

No choice at all really. I called Plum and asked him to come over and look after Bondi. He came no questions asked which was a relief because I have become sick of lying to people about my life. Slipping in and out of the headquarters was easy . No one looks twice at an agent coming in to collect some equipment and lucky for me they don't check to closely when leaving either.

I was not the first to arrive for the meet.

"I knew you would make the right choice." The voice was muffled but oddly familiar and most definitely female.
"Where is he? What have you done with Blue?" I was nearly frantic with worry at this point.
"Did you really think you would get what you wanted that easily. For once in your perfect little life you should have to work for something."
"That's it! I am tired of taking to a mask. Take that thing off and face me."

She snorted in derision. "I don't think so. I see no reason why someone like you should see my face."
Frustration and training kicked in.

A well placed kick to the head knocked her helmet off and left her slightly stunned. But my advantage was shorted lived. As she turned to face me I lost all ability to move.

Nuala?!? The shock of seeing my supposedly dead twin rendered me immobile. I turn stunned as I heard a noise behind me.

Not again!