• "Hey Misaki, where are you going?"

    "Away Ripcord." Misaki continued on her way through the training area.

    "Away? Wha....why?"

    "Because we aren't wanted!" Tears had finally reached her eyes now that sorrow was filling her heart.

    "But you can't leave; you're in no condition to travel anywhere." Scarlett had come in as the voice of reason. Unfortunately it didn't seem to work so well; as Misaki just kept on walking.

    "Come on Misaki, don't leave. Whatever the problem is, I'm sure we can fix it." Duke didn't want the little dancer to leave; she was like the mother bear to the team.

    "I'm sorry guys, but I can't stay with a man who doesn't want me." She had stopped to say those words to her close friends.

    "Please don't lea...."

    "Misaki." Ripcord's voice had been interrupted by a deeper, rougher voice. A voice that had the ability to make her knees weak.

    *I won't cave, I won't cave.* Misaki chanted a few times before she responded to the man. "I'm still leaving."

    "Please don't leave.....I...." The voice couldn't finish his sentence.

    "You what? You already stated that you didn't need me; so what can you possibly say to make it better?" Misaki was still chanting as she stood still.

    "I....."

    "This is the one time that you get in the middle of a lovers' quarrel. When the poor guy can't get the words right." Ripcord stepped up to the distraught man. "Dude, this would be the time where you say 'I love you' and make things better." He whispered.

    Snake felt his stomach turn into knots as he took in the words that the pilot had said. Taking a deep breath he did the only thing that he could think of and reached for his visor.

    "I take it that you have nothing to tell me, so if you'll excuse me." Misaki started to walk again; ignoring the pain and pressure that was starting to form in her lower back.

    "Is this what you want?" The deep voice was no longer muffled; turning around Misaki was shocked to see a pair of beautiful honey brown eyes pleading with her. "Misaki, please forgive me for getting upset. I should not have said what I did." He was now walking towards the woman who couldn't seem to move. The people that had stopped everything, watched as they held their breath. Misaki stared as the man she loved fell to his knees and placed his hands lovingly upon her swollen stomach. A tear escaped his eye as he looked up at the woman he loved. "I....I love you Misaki.....I love you and our child with all my being." There, he had finally said the words that needed to be said; and like Hawk had said, he felt better.

    The happiness seemed to spread like a wildfire through the two lovers. "What took you so long?" A small smile graced Misaki as she wiped the tears away from Snakes face.

    "Fear, mixed in with some stupidity." The smile was reflected on Snake Eyes face.

    "What am I going to do with you? Well aside for the obvious...." Misaki couldn't finish as she felt a sudden pain that was followed by a strange wet sensation. Her grimace had alerted the father that something was wrong....very wrong.

    "Misaki." He quickly stood and gripped her shoulders gently.

    Looking down the pair saw clear fluids beginning to pool at Misaki's feet. "Ummmmm I think I need to get to Doc." Pain confirmed her assumption. "I really need to get to Doc now....She's early!" Panic and fear was setting in now and before anything else could be said; Snake had her in his arms and was on his way to the infirmary.