"For how long have you felt these sympstoms?.. When was the last time when you had sexual contact and.. how about birth control?" - he started with the simple questions before moving on, before searching for some<em>real</em>disease.<br/>But actually, both of them was almost sure about what's going on. Doc, this elderly man knew Marsha since early childhood and so he was able to feel her unspoken worries, excitement and also<em>joy</em>, as she was laying on the examination table in front of him.<br/><br/>The young woman was trying to relax, closing her eyes as the doctor was touching her lymph nods and her belly carefully and professionally. She answered all the questions then Doc was ready for the last step.<br/>"Now.. I'm gonna check you with ultra sound, OK?"<br/>"Sure." But her heart was trembling...<br/><br/>While he was preparing the instrument they were talking, not only to ease stress.<br/>"How did you get here?" He was still smiling kindly.<br/>"Is it a problem I came to<em>you</em>??" The beautiful eyes and face -she was half afro-american and half white- now seemed worried. Doc put his palm on her hand gently to reassure her.<br/>"How could it be a problem, Marsha?" - he laughed a little. "You can come to me anytime.<em>Anytime</em>, remember? I was just surprised that one of top agents from the giant metropolis just shows up in our little town again, in my office after my shift and asks me to examine her."<br/><br/>Now both of them were laughing.<br/>"Actually a friend of mine took me here. She's waiting outside. Such a nice person. She didn't ask anything just drove us here."<br/>"Then really a nice friend she is.. Well, maybe this is gonna be a bit cold." - and he put a little of some transparent jelly on the skin of her belly before touching it with the head of the sensor. He knew exactly what to search for but didn't want to rush. After all, this kind of moments happen only once in a woman's life. He didn't turn on the sound system yet. Let is be a surprise...<br/><br/>"Are you still.. working in the orphanage as well?" Her voice was a bit insecure.<br/>"No, not anymore. They said I'm.. 'too old'. I had to leave."<br/>"I'm so sorry. I know how important it was for you."<br/>"Listen, I had wonderful moments there.. Many success, both emotional and professional. Many of the children come back to me as harmonic and prosperous persons.. bringing<em>their</em>children to me.. Just like you, Marsha." - and he pushed a button.<br/><br/>Both could hear<em>the</em>sound. It was like the noise of an old and scrubby washing machine but also strong.<br/>"Congratulations. I think you know what this means."<br/>Tears were running down on the woman's face but she was joyful.<br/>"A baby..." - she whispered.<br/>"Yes. A<em>baby</em>." With his free hand he held her hand and squeezed it.<br/>"<em>My</em>little one..."<br/>And they were just listening to its sound...<br/><br/>Later, when she was ready to leave Doc asked one more question.<br/>"How about the father?.. Look, I don't ask this question because I don't believe you can deal with this alone. I just would like to know: are you happy? Marsha<em>Are you happy</em>??."<br/>The young woman sighed as she was standing in front of him and lowered her head.<br/>"I<em>was</em>...... We were... very happy, amazingly happy....... He wanted to tell about us to his wife.. they were at the edge of divorce, she just didn't want to sign the papers....... But on his way back to her her.. he had a heart attack while driving and.."<br/>The old man put his hand on her upper arm.<br/>"......His car run into a tree.. He ended immediately. Didn't suffer at all, thanks to God."<br/>Doc was rubbing her arm gently then they embraced each other.<br/>"I know you're gonna make it, Marsh.. I know you<em>can</em>..."<br/><br/><br/>Outside Jenny was staring at the TV screen being stunned. Is it possible?? Somebody just shot him?? How could this happen??... Few seconds later when Marsha came out of the doctor's office, she could hear the news herself. The same reaction...<br/><br/>"Hey, you guys gonna have enough work on this case." - Jenny joked as she were driving them back, it was already night.<br/>The other woman smiled, caressing her belly a bit.<br/>"<em>If</em>we are gonna work on this case, Jenny. If we are." She turned on her mobile again.<br/>'You have three new incoming calls from Sweetheart.' - said a quite mechanic voice.<br/>"Then we<em>will</em>work on it..." - she mumbled it to herself.<br/>Jenny was laughing.<br/>"So, you do have a sweetheart! Tell me everything."<br/><br/>"You'll be disappointed. There's nothing to tell. It was my partner. Sweetheart is just an old joke.. He and me were sitting on a bench, years ago, in town X because of case X and.. we were having dinner. I mean sandwiches, and he asked me whether I have a mate or not. And I said: 'Hey, look at me. Do I look like somebody who has time for a private life?' And he answered: 'So I am your one and only sweetheart.' That is why I call him like this. It's a joke we created. Sometimes it helps.<br/><br/>Hours later, when Marsha Richardson, psychologist and special agent appeared at the headquartest, she looked completely different. Instead of jeans and a long-sleeved stretch T-shirt she was wearing a perfect black costume, her curly black hair was in a strict ponytail and her eyes covered by simple but elegant dark glasses.<br/>She was waiting for Luke's report outside, in the corridor, closing her long white cane. And trying to put aside nausea. Life's just got so sweetly complicated...<br/><br/>