Chapter Text
"So what’s this big announcement you dragged us all down here for?" Fusco groused, annoyed at the peremptory summons of the brunette hacker.
He knew it was something big because if he didn't know Shaw better, he would’ve said she looked uncomfortable or nervous. The whole team, Carter, Finch, Reese and Root were gathered in the computer room of the Library, in various states of relaxation. Shaw and Root were standing together as they were the ones who had called the gathering.
“So.. yeah. Um. The reason we wanted to talk to all of you-
"We're having a baby!" Root interrupted, draping an arm across Shaw's shoulders.
“Correction, I’m having a baby,” Shaw growled, arms tight across her chest. "Root is simply here for midnight craving runs and massages."
Several long seconds of silence passed before it was broken by Lionel’s raspy chuckle.
"Something you want to say, Fusco? " Shaw asked quietly when he fell silent.
"Wait, you are serious?” He asked when he noticed the decidedly intense expression Shaw wore.
"You think we can't do this?” Shaw demanded.
“Ah, no, no. Just you and Cocoa Puffs with a kid-”
“What I think Fusco is trying to say,” Carter interrupted, “is that you two… you’re… well, not exactly the most-”
“Congratulations!” Harold broke in when Shaw’s expression only darkened with Carter’s words. "When's the baby shower?"
“Know what, you can all go fuck yourselves. We’re gonna be the most bitchingest moms a kid ever had. Our kid is gonna be so badass that the Guinness Book of World Records is gonna want to get in on the action."
"Doubtlessly," Reese agreed in a placating tone. “I’m sure she will be setting all kinds of records.”
“Criminal records to be sure,” Fusco muttered.
“She better,” Shaw said which got her a dirty look from Finch and an eyeroll from Root.
“So do you need help setting up-”
“Please do not finish that thought Finch. We managed to get this far without… well not without assistance but without yours. You are a great guy but no offense, I do not want you anywhere around my biological processes.”
“I think we have everything handled in the baby-growing department, but thanks for the offer,” Root agreed.
“So, that was pretty much everything that we had,” Shaw told them after a moment of silence.
“We should probably have a discussion about working in your condition, though.”
“Sure, we can talk but if you think you are putting me on maternity leave or something, you have another thing coming. I had enough of that shit with Samaritan, I am not doing that again.”
“Ms. Shaw, not to tell you-”
“Then don’t,” Shaw snapped.
“Sweetie, Finch does have a point. Nobody is saying that you should stay out of the field, just… be careful.” Root lowered her voice, stepping close and placing a hand over Shaw’s stomach. “You aren’t just looking out for yourself anymore.”
The Library fell silent, everyone wondering how Shaw would react to once again being the one who was protected. “Fine. I’m not reckless. I know that some things are going to have to change. But I am not going to be benched from working on the numbers. Keep me on surveillance or grifting or whatever but I’m not gonna be sidelined."
"I promise to keep you as involved as is safely possible, Ms. Shaw."
Shaw frowned and sighed. "I don’t suppose I should expect better.” A thought then occurred to her and her gaze sharpened. "If I am going to be spending more time here we are going to need some more stuff. A fridge, a stove, a television. A toilet that you don’t need to double flush every time.”
“I will see what I can do,” Finch said after a moment.
“Wasn’t a request, Finch. This is stuff I need. Back me up Carter.”
“Think about if Finch. She can be surly as it is; do you really want to deal with a hungry, hormonal, pissed-off Shaw complaining about the lack of proper facilities?”
Finch thought it over for a moment. “I see your point. I will get on that as soon as possible. If there is anything else you need, please let me know.”
“I’ll get you a list,” Shaw assured him.
“You are all put on notice though,” she said, pointing at the three men. “Root’s not gonna stop working for the Machine so that means you answer your phones when she’s out of town.”
“Duly noted,” Reese acknowledged. “Does that mean we should plan for sleepovers?”
Shaw made a face. “Definitely not, but don’t lose your keys.”
“You guys probably don't have a registry set up yet, do you?” Carter asked.
“We just found out a little bit ago; honestly this is the first thing we thought to do," Root told her.
“Then leave it to me; I’ll take care of everything and let the two of you know when and where you need to be.”
Shaw rolled her eyes. “I don't suppose there’s anything I could say to dissuade you?”
“Having a baby shower is an integral part of having a baby; you’re going to come over to my place and let us give you presents.”
“Don’t worry Carter, we’ll be there,” Root said, not taking her eyes off her partner.
“Whatever. Just as long as there aren't any strippers. Last thing I need is some oversexed, steroid-popping, beefcake waving his stuffed thong in my face.”
Carter smirked. “And what about stuffed bras?”
“No strippers, male or female,” Shaw insisted.
“Really? Not even one?” Root asked with a pout.
“Am I the only one who thinks it’d be weird to have strippers at a baby shower?” Fusco asked.
Reese just averted his gaze while Harold held his hands up in a pacifying gesture.
“Whatever. No strippers, just presents then.”
“And cake. If I gotta have a party thrown by you schmucks, I want cake.”
“Then cake you shall have. I know better to stand between you and what you want.”
- Baby on Board -
Shaw had been dozing by herself in the bed, having retired two hours ago when Root slipped under the covers. She laid her left arm out and wrapped it around Root’s shoulders as her partner laid her head on her breast, one hand settling on the barely perceptible curve of Shaw’s stomach. Except to Root, who knew her body so well that the fractional increase in Shaw’s stomach was as sharply delineated as a mountain in a plain.
“It still doesn't feel quite real,” Root said quietly after a few minutes.
“Trust me, it’s gonna be real enough before much longer. I still remember my neonatal rotation well enough that it will be plenty real enough for you. Just you wait until I'm waking you up at three am with morning sickness. Or when I need you to walk down and get Korean or Italian at one. Or when-”
“Okay, I get it. I'm gonna be sick of you telling me to do stuff. Still doesn't change anything right now. We’re-”
“Or when the kid’s actually here she’s up every two hours needing fed, or when she craps herself in public and voms down your back-”
“I get it, I get it, we’re having a baby,” Root said, the joy in her voice such that Shaw couldn't help the smile that curved her lips.
“We’re having a baby,” Shaw repeated with a smile of her own, only slightly more subdued.
- Baby on Board -
The room was still dark when Root awoke, not sure what had roused her for the first few seconds. The digital clock on her nightstand told her it was just after five in the morning when she turned her head and saw the sliver of light spilling from the cracked bathroom door. She had just sat up, noticing that Shaw’s side of the bed was empty when she heard the sound of vomiting from the bathroom. Sure enough, her Persian sociopath was on her knees worshipping the porcelain throne. Root stopped only to wet a hand towel before joining Shaw on the floor. Root pulled her hair aside to wipe her sweaty, pale brow and the nape of her neck.
Root waited until the fit passed and Shaw sat back on her haunches before she pressed a kiss to her temple.
“Feeling better?” Shaw gave Root a severe look as if to say 'how the hell do you think I feel?’ “Alright, alright,” Root said raising her hands up in surrender. “Do you think you’ll be coming back to bed anytime soon or should I just start on breakfast?” Shaw opened her mouth to reply but her stomach chose that moment to contract. “So no breakfast yet.”
“I’m thinking of swearing off food altogether,” Shaw replied when she sat back again.
“You don't mean that,” Root said lowly, trying to hide her amusement.
She knew she had failed when Shaw spoke though. “If you’re just gonna laugh at me you can get out. Otherwise shut up.”
“Your wish is my command,” Root whispered, kissing her on the forehead again.
Shaw took another twenty minutes resting her head on the cool porcelain before she felt steady enough to make her way out to the kitchenette. She barely made it to the bar before the scent of the cooking bacon (which was normally her second or third favorite food) hit her nose and everything returned to green.
“Sweetie?” Root asked when Shaw sat heavily on one of the stools.
“Bacon, trash, now,” Shaw croaked. Root hesitated a moment but hurried over to the trashcan with the pan when she saw Sameen pressing a hand over her mouth.
“So bacon’s off limits, how’re you feeling about pancakes?”
“Pancakes sound okay, but maybe use water instead of milk? I think I’ve had enough puking for the day and I obviously can't speak for my stomach right now.”
“Of course, sweetie. Should I clear the fridge of all dairy, or...”
“Nah, you can keep your gross-ass whole milk for now. No need to go tossing anything yet; let's just play it by ear for the time being.”
Root had never been much of a cook for most of her life but living with Shaw had changed that very quickly. She plated three large pancakes for her, holding a bottle up and arching a questioning eyebrow before proceeding to drown the flapjacks in maple deliciousness.
“You better plan on making yourself some pancakes too before you leave; I know you’ll forget to eat at all if I don’t make you now.”
“As lovely as that sounds, She wanted me to leave ten minutes ago so I really need to get going. I promise I will pick something up the first chance I get.”
“I’m holding you to that. And don’t think I won't check in with your robo-wife to make sure you do.”
“Well, now I have twice the reason to get something to eat. I wouldn't want either of my special ladies to be mad at me,” Root said as she retrieved her favorite brown leather jacket from where it was draped over the back of the couch. “She has a number for Harry; he’ll be calling in a few minutes to put you on surveillance. I don't know how long I’ll be but I’ll call later to see if I can bring you anything to eat.” Root blew a kiss over her shoulder, smirking when Shaw batted it away.
- Baby on Board -
“What’s that smell?” Carter asked, wrinkling her nose at the acrid stink that permeated the inside of the sedan despite the open windows.
“Take a wild guess; it’s New York and my senses are on overdrive. Someone took a dump around here and it might as well have been right next to my door.”
“Super senses are definitely a double-edged sword. When I was pregnant with Taylor, all the trash had to go outside immediately or well… I think you can imagine.”
“Yeah. I spent a good hour emptying my guts into the toilet this morning. I’m barely pregnant and I’m already ready for this to be done.”
Carter let out a short bark of laughter. “Well, you won't have to deal with the morning sickness forever, but better get used to that nose.”
Shaw’s lips twisted in displeasure. “Please don't remind me. I spent enough time on neonatal during my residency that I know all those fun little factoids you can tell me.”
“So Finch says you’ve been on stakeout since this morning; he wanted me to come relieve you so you wouldn't be tempted to do anything should the number get into trouble.”
“Christ, what is it with men thinking that we turn into glass the moment sperm meets egg? Or egg meets chemically treated DNA in my case.”
“Normally I would agree with you, but Finch does have a point. When I found out I was pregnant with Taylor, the first thing I did was tell my captain and have him put me on desk duty. I know you got a thing about being protected, but Root had a point when-”
“Aaaaand that’s my cue to leave,” Shaw interrupted, popping the door.
“Hey, Shaw,” Carter called, opening her own door and rested one arm against the roof of the sedan. She waited for Shaw to stop and reluctantly turn around before she continued. “I'm being serious, you do anything to risk that,” she said, circling a finger in the direction of the other woman’s stomach, “you and I will have words.”
Shaw just rolled her eyes and turned away. “Sure thing, Mom. I’d imagine you’d have to get in line though. Let you know when I’m back at the Library.”