[Fiction] A new change

[Sakurako Hino]

Sakurako sits in the front foyer of Long's home, waiting nervously for an old friend. Neil Preston. She's been feeling very off lately, and it has concerned her.

After her trist with Long a couple months ago, she had discovered her Periods have been interrupted that she started having a month or two after her most recent change.

She had kept herself calm, hoping it's just an oddity, but the timing is quite worrysome.

She fidgets with a large book on rubber plantations of the 1800's that Origami left behind before her short trip to britain, while nibbling on a stick of pocky.

[Neil Preston]

A Fish Market was the closest place he could move through ... a large dauphine in the process of being gutted to be precise was his point of entry. He quickly apologized to the workman and then to his manager. Neil couldn't miss the co-worker making the quick call to some news agency or tabloid as he backed his way out of the area. There wasn't much he could do about that now.

The cabbie became rather reserved when Neil told him were he wanted to go, but he did drop Neil off as requested. It seemed that Long's reputation was still having some trouble so close to home. Neil rang the buzzer to let Endeavor know he had arrived.

[Sakurako Hino]

Sakurako jumps up, scared momentarily by the sudden sound of the doorbell breaking the silence. "Umm... coming!"

Sakurako was wondering who it was. It might be Neil, but it might be someone else. She looks through the door's spyhole, and seeing it was Neil, opens the door after unlocking it.

"Neil! It's good you came!" She looks around and quickly ushers Neil in before locking the door behind him. "I've been sort of nervous about getting you here. Wasn't sure if people would catch on."

She walks back over to the couch near the front door, and considers sitting down. Then remembers her manners. "Oh... is there anything I can get you while I am up?"

[Neil Preston]

Neil hugs Endeavor and as he pulls back he looks her over.

"No problems, Captain. Its good to see you. As for people catching on ... well, I think that a few people know I'm here. My means of jumping is a bit conspicuous."

Neil takes a deep breath then his brow wrinkles.

"Oh... is there anything I can get you while I am up?"

"Nope. I'm good."

Once Endeavor settles down, Neil hits her with the news.

"You're pregnant ... with twins."

[Sakurako Hino]

Endeavor is shocked. The sudden nature of his announcement.

"Wait... you mean... Twins? As in I'm going to be a mother of 2?"

Sakurako leans back, her head going back. "My god... And it's already been a month or so..."

She brings her head back up and starts laughing. "Son of a gun! Everything looks alright, doesn't it?"

[Neil Preston]

Neil smiles as the various familiar emotions wash over Endeavor's face.

"Everyone is healthy. If you let me do a quick exam, I can be more precise, but at first look, you and the kids have strong, healthy signatures."

After a moments hesitation, Neil adds,

"So, should I inquire who the father is?"

[Sakurako Hino]

"You can do a diagnostic, Neil." She says while still chuckling. But when he asks about who is the father...

"I would assume this is under Doctor-Patient priveledge, correct?"

[Neil Preston]

"I would assume this is under Doctor-Patient priveledge, correct?"

"Of course, Captain. I wouldn't be much good as a healer if I couldn't keep my patients' secrets."

He looks into Endeavor's eyes and adds,

"This is going to be somewhat difficult, isn't it?"

[Sakurako Hino]

"Not really by my wager... Since Long is the father." She sits back, and adjusts her blouse. "Then again, you can't really predict the future on hopes alone. But right now I don't think there are issues."