Tai was sitting alone when Ace joined her. She jumped when his arm brushed hers. "Hey," Ace said softly.
"You look like shit," Tai said, looking Ace up and down.
"Wow, thank you," Ace said and raised an eyebrow at her.
"You look exhausted. Why are you at school? You should be resting," Tai said.
"Please, don't tell me that. It's all people are saying. I'm fine."
Tai arched an eyebrow.
"Okay, I'm not fine. But I'm well enough to be at school."
"I don't believe you," Tai shrugged.
Ace decided to ignore what Tai said.
"What's going on with Brooke?" Tai asked.
"Nothing," Ace said. He looked to the front of class where Brooke and Alec where talking. "There's nothing we can do at the moment."
"If you need help, I'll be there," Tai said. "You guys need all the help you can get."
Ace smiled. "Thank you, Tai. That means a lot."
Tai shrugged her shoulders.
"What's happening with Brandon and your brother?" Ace asked quietly.
"They're with each other constantly," Tai cringed. "I've never seen Raiden like this with anyone. They must be mates."
"This makes things a lot more complicated," Ace sighed.
"I don't want Raiden involved in this mess," Tai said. "He's already done so much for me, he doesn't deserved to get dragged into this."
"What has he done?" Ace asked softly.
"That doesn't matter," Tai said dismissively.
Ace frowned. "The only good thing is that he won't be harmed. Brandon and Rogue are working together, and Rogue won't hurt Raiden if he's Brandon's mate."
"Good," Tai nodded.
"But there is the risk of Brandon turning Raiden against us."
"No," Tai said immediately. "Raiden would never go against me. We've been through too much together to abandon each other."
"Are you sure?"
"It's not like I've known him my whole life or anything, is it?" Tai said sarcastically. "Yes, I'm sure. Raiden has the best intentions. He's better than I'll ever dream of being."
"Don't say that," Ace frowned.
Tai sent Ace a look. "You don't know what I've done."
"Because you won't tell me," Ace said.
"You've got enough problems to handle right now, so if I were you I'd focus on that," Tai snapped. "Stop bugging me."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to invade your privacy," Ace frowned. "It's just that we're mates-"
"You don't want to be my mate," Tai said.
"I think I do."
"No, you only think that because of the stupid bond. If you knew me really then you'd want nothing to do with me," Tai said and turned away from Ace.
Ace so desperately wanted to know what Tai was talking about.
He wanted to help.
*
"Indie, are you sure about this?" Kal said after school that day. He pulled his car to a stop outside Rogue's house. "Are you sure it's not just weird baby hormones that are making you want to do this?"
"Of course she doesn't want to do this," Kimberly muttered and rolled her eyes. "But she has too."
"I don't like it."
"Neither do I," Indianna sighed. She looked at Rogue's house.
"Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up later?" Kal asked.
"No." Indianna swallowed. "I'll ask Rogue to drop me home. I need him to think that I'm slowly trusting him."
"Good luck," Kimberly said.
"Keep the link open. Oscar and I will be here in an instant if you want us too."
Indianna forced a smile. "Thanks." She opened the car door and walked towards Rogue's house. Her heart was pounding in her chest.
"Sister," Rogue said as he opened the door. He leaned against the doorframe and smiled. "Part of me thought that you wouldn't show."
Indianna swallowed. "I said I would come," Indianna said.
"But you also lie," Rogue tutted.
"No, lies are what start all problems," Indianna sighed. "I don't want to lie to you. It makes things worse."
"Wise words," Rogue said and stepped aside. "Come in, little sister. Stacy is overjoyed that you're here." Rogue grabbed Indianna's wrist as she stepped through the threshold. "Do not disappoint her, little sister."
Indianna forced herself to look into his eyes. "I won't."
Rogue smiled. "Fantastic. She's in the kitchen."
Indianna nodded and made her way through the house. She walked into the kitchen and jumped when Stacy squeaked and hugged her.
"I'm so glad you're here, babe!" Stacy grinned. "I was just pouring myself a glass of wine! What's your fancy, red or white?"
Indianna rubbed her stomach protectively. "Neither."
"Oh, babe, I completely forgot!" Stacy gasped. "What can I get you instead?"
"Water is fine," Indianna smiled.
"Of course, you gotta keep the baby hydrated," Stacy smiled. "Oh, wait- babies."
Indianna didn't have to force her next smile. Every minute that passed she was happier that she was having twins. She loved that they would never be alone. They would always have each other.
"A girl and a boy?" Rogue called as he walked into the kitchen. Stacy passed Indianna a glass of water. "Congratulations, sister."
"Thank you."
"When are you due?" Stacy asked.
"Werewolves develop more quickly than humans," Indianna said, repeating what Doc had told her. "Instead of nine months, its six. So, they should be here in February sometime. Apparently werewolf babies are hard to predict a date, and with twins I'm more likely to be premature."
"Premature?" Stacy questioned.
"Early," Indianna explained.
"How early?" Rogue asked.
Indianna shrugged. "A few weeks, a month? I don't know."
"So, it could be as early as January?"
"Possibly," Indianna said.
"That's not far off, little sister," Rogue said.
Indianna swallowed and rubbed her stomach. "I know."
"Come on, let's go and sit down. You shouldn't be on your feet for so long," Stacy said and soon they were all sitting in the lounge.
Indianna had never felt so uncomfortable in her life.
"So, who are you going to have with you at the birth?" Stacy asked. She sat back on the couch and leaned into Rogue. Indianna watched as he placed his hand on her knee.
"I..." Indianna frowned. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Usually you have your mum, but that's no possible considering she's a loony-"
"Stacy," Rogue said sharply.
Stacy made an 'o' shape with her mouth. "I... oh, should I not have said anything?"
Rogue sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just... stop talking," he said.
"I'm sorry, babe," Stacy whispered. She linked her fingers with his.
He smiled softly at her. "It's fine."
"What is going on?" Indianna asked. "What did you mean about my mum?"
"Nothing," Rogue said dismissively.
"Jason..." Indianna gulped. "What have you done to her?"
Rogue gave Stacy a look. "I wasn't going to show her this just yet, but it looks like I'm going to have to now."
"I'm sorry," Stacy apologised as Rogue stood.
"I know," Rogue said and kissed Stacy on the cheek before facing Indianna. "Come with me, little sister, it seems I have something to show you."
Indianna frowned and stood up, cautiously following her brother out of the room. Rogue was silent as he led her up the stairs and to Indianna's old room. "Jason, what is going on?"
"I'm only showing you this because you seem to be behaving recently. This is a reward for your good behaviour. If you carry on listening to me then you will be rewarded." Rogue opened the door to Indianna's room and gestured her inside.
Nothing had changed. It was still the half lived in room that Indianna had never finished unpacking properly. However, there was one thing that wasn't quite right.
On the bed, curled up in a ball was... her mother.
"Iris," Rogue called. "You have a visitor."
Iris's looked up and Indianna gasped quietly. Something was wrong. Her mother's eyes were wide, and her lips were forming words, but Indianna struggled to understand what she was saying. She looked rabid.
"What is wrong with her?" Indianna asked slowly, taking a step towards the bed. "Mum?" Indianna said softly. "It's me, Indie."
"As Stacy said, she's a loony," Rogue said. His voice was void from emotion. "She's gone crazy."
Iris looked at Indianna with wide eyes. "Daughter?" She whispered. She looked hurriedly between Indianna and Rogue.
"Yes," Indianna whispered. "What happened to you?"
"He ruins everything," Iris whispered. "He ruined me. He ruined you, and your Greyson. He's ruined this town."
"Now, that's not very nice," Rogue tutted.
"Trust your head," Iris said. Her voice was frantic. "He has help. He can do things, things he shouldn't be able to do!"