for striker_eureka

[driftcompatible]

Mako Mori has a secret.

Several, in fact, but this is one of the biggest secrets that she's had to deal with in quite some time, and she doesn't know what to do about it. Raleigh knows - of course he knows, he always knows even when they don't Drift -- it's that pilot to pilot thing, two minds, two hearts coming together as one in the body of that giant machine. It leaves residue, leaves her feeling like she's part of him and he's part of her. One soul, split into two bodies.

He knows. He hasn't said anything to anyone, but he knows.

She's so grateful that he keeps it to himself, but she knows that it won't - can't - stay that way for long. Herc is going to find out why she's not able to pilot right now, why she can't get in the Jaeger and why she's temporarily grounded. Right now, she's made a million excuses but it cannot go on any longer. Someone is gonna figure it out if she doesn't confess, soon.

A few weeks pass and she's put on some weight and she's throwing up every morning when no one is around and -- she can't do it any longer. She sends for him, requesting him to please come to her quarters immediately because there's something she needs to speak with him urgently about, and she waits.

It's the longest wait of her life.

Comments

[striker_eureka]

Herc really should know better. After all, he's been married, he's done this thing before. He should be able to recognize the warning signs. But Mako had insisted that she was on the implant, even showed him the tiny little bar under the skin of her arm, had promised that they had nothing to worry about. And, like any fool in love, he had listened to her and agreed. (Not that he thinks being in love with her is foolish, no way. Loving Mako is probably the smartest thing he's done in years.)

So really, he should have guessed.

Sure, he noticed her putting on a little weight, her middle thickening slightly, her body becoming more plush against his, but he had just written it down to her not training as often now that the kaiju war is over and she and Raleigh are only piloting Miracle for fun under the guise of constant readiness.

They don't sleep in the same bed often, and he has a demanding schedule, which means he doesn't see her morning sickness. And the rare time he did, she had passed it off as a stomach bug and he had believed her.

Why would she lie to him, after all?

The day he gets her summons, Herc is supposed to be tuning in to a teleconference with the Marshals of the other Shatterdomes, reinstated to their positions by reluctant members of the PPDC top brass. But he has enough time to swing by her room, anxiety twisting in his gut. What on earth could be wrong? She's not breaking up with him, is she? He hopes not. He's been treating her well, even Raleigh — who will never forgive him for this, Herc knows that — has to admit that. It can't be because of that.

So what is it?