Karen Simms stood outside the Griffins' front door, dreading the visit. She hesitated before knocking. How can I go into this woman's house with these feelings in my head, she thought. In the months that Savannah had been away, Karen had grown very attached to the strange detective with the dark glasses. It was an odd relationship. Not really here or there. Something that wasn't anything. Or was it?

She was ashamed now to admit that it was something on her part. At first, she completely denied any attraction. You're the boss, for God's sake, she said to herself. Kermit had been a hostile and combative individual, especially after that disaster with Ericson. Even so, he was capable of great warmth and had shared glimpses of that with Karen. She didn't realize how close Kermit and Savannah had been until after she had returned to Memphis.

He was lonely and tortured, just like Karen was at the time. No husband. No relationship to speak of with her son. When they began to connect in those odd moments, she stopped resisting. Every siren in her head screamed out the inappropriateness of such a relationship with one of her detectives but she had started to turn down the volume.
Karen hadn't wanted this kind of life with him. She'd tried marriage and was certain that she wasn't cut out for it, at all. She didn't exactly feel disappointment but now there would be no chance for anything else between them. Chapter closed. At least, on his part.

Karen did care about Kermit, still. What happened between him and his wife was unique. Destiny. He was madly in love with her. Why wouldn't he be? She's a beautiful, kind, soft person who was giving him a child and a home. Savannah could give him something he'd been denied for so long. Happiness. Karen wanted him to have that and peace. He'd paid his dues. That would have to be her comfort as she moved on to something else.

Still, she felt guilty. Though she wasn't exactly "the other woman," she had feelings for another woman's husband. She would never act on those feelings, now, but they were there, none the less. Karen had found ways to avoid facing Savannah since her return. When Kermit had come into her office and told her about their plans and the baby on the way, she was certain that he knew how she felt. Kermit never said it, but Karen understood that he was making an attempt to spare her feelings the best way he knew how.

She had hidden behind formality and congratulations. Shook his hand and told him how happy she was for him. As the Captain of the 101st, she took duty the night of the big announcement. Karen volunteered to "mind the store" so that all of the detectives could attend the wedding. She had been on a visit to her son's school the day of the baby shower. Today, the running had to stop. "You're going to sit with a pregnant woman, not have your teeth pulled. Get over it, Simms," she said to herself.

Finally, she rang the bell. Kermit answered the door and invited her inside. He looked surprised then concerned. "What's up, Captain?"

"Jody and T.J. have a line on that fencing operation the three of you have been investigating. Thought you'd like to be in on the bust," she said, sitting down the package she'd brought with her.

"Oh yeah," Kermit replied. "We've been tracking that bunch for weeks." He ran his hands through his hair and looked toward the other room. "But, I can't leave her alone. She's better. Not trapped in bed anymore, but her doctor said she needs someone with her, just in case."

"That's why I'm here. I'll stay with her until you get back."

"Are you sure? I don't know how long this'll take."

"Glad to do it," she answered, nervously twisting her hand in her pocket. "I wanted to bring a baby gift anyway, since I missed the shower."

Kermit knew how uncomfortable she must feel. This was an extremely generous gesture on Karen's part, given the situation. "That's really nice of you, Karen. Savannah could probably enjoy someone else to talk to besides me."

He grabbed his jacket and headed to the door. "She's back in the nursery. All the numbers are by the phone. Tell her I'll be back as soon as I can." He picked up his keys and left.

She found Savannah dozing in a rocking chair in the cloud-filled nursery. Karen looked around and remembered her baby's first room. Everything was ready and waiting for this precious new life.

Savannah opened her eyes and looked at her visitor. "Hi, Karen," she greeted her. "Kermit didn't tell me we had company." She moved to get up.

"Don't get up," Karen told her, sitting down beside her. "Kermit had an errand for the precinct so I told him I'd stay with you until he got back."

She leaned back and smiled. "Good. He's driving me crazy! Kermit has been wonderful and attentive but his nerves are shot. And try to relax with him asking you how you feel every five minutes!"

"So much for his calm, cool, and collected reputation," Karen replied.

"Is that for the baby?" Savannah pointed to the gift Karen was holding.

"Oh, yes. Since I couldn't come to the shower, I thought I'd just bring it over." You big liar, she thought.

Savannah opened the beautifully wrapped package and pulled out a small white embroidered gown. "Karen. Thank you. This is adorable." Then, she started laughing out loud as she pulled out a tiny pair of sunglasses. Kermit the frog between the lenses.

"Kermit's going to love this!"

"Well, Baby Griffin might as well get started early." Karen laughed too. This isn't so bad, she thought. "Savannah, I don't want you to think that I've been avoiding...I mean...I really am happy for all three of you." She'd opened the door and it was too late to close it now.

Savannah smiled and reached out to touch her hand. She knew how Karen felt. She and Kermit had shared a certain closeness while Savannah had been away. She wanted to put her at ease.

"Karen, I understand that you and Kermit have a close relationship," she began. "You put your lives in each other's hands every day. It gives me a great deal of comfort to know that I entrust his life to someone who cares about him."

There, Karen thought. She's letting you off the hook. This was truly a gracious woman. She's telling you that she's not jealous that you have feelings for her husband. We might actually become friends. How strange.

When Kermit returned, he heard Savannah and Karen laughing in the nursery. "Uh oh," he said. "This could be dangerous."

******

"Skalany," Kermit called through his office door, "Savannah wants to know what time the party starts."

"Seven-thirty." she answered. She walked over to stand beside Peter at Kermit's door. The two of them waited for him to finish his conversation.

"Ok. Go take a nap. I know, you've been napping for two weeks. Humor me, please, or I'll get Merry on the phone and *she'll* make you take a nap," he said, shaking his head.

"No. I won't forget. Don't worry." Kermit hung up and turned his attention to the two eavesdroppers.

"So, she finally got sprung from house arrest," joined Peter.

"In a way," said Kermit. "I took her to the doctor this morning and she said that everything was fine and she could go to the party for a little while. Due date three weeks from today." Three more weeks of panic for me, thought Kermit.

The jury was still out as to whether or not those two weeks had been relaxing for Savannah. Physically, she had recuperated but she had been, according to the mother-to-be, "bored slap out of her mind." There was only so much television she could stand.

Her friends had taken turns sitting with her and had tried to entertain her. Caine had nearly drowned her in tea. Peter had nearly drowned her in bad tea. Mary Margaret couldn't keep her hands off Savannah's belly and Jody jumped at every breath she took. Kermit had even brought home a laptop computer so that she could play on the Internet.
"That's a great idea for someone who doesn't have a lap!" Savannah had commented.

Finally, the day of liberation had arrived. She would be able to attend Mary Margaret's birthday party at Delancy's. "Caine, she was so excited this morning you'd think this party was Marti Gras and Carnival in Rio," Kermit explained.

"And that it is," Mary Margaret added. "I'm glad she's coming. And we all promise not to make her laugh too hard and to make her sit, whether she wants to or not."

"Appreciate that, Birthday Girl," offered Kermit. Remembering his phone call, he wrote himself a quick note and stuffed it in his pocket.

"Ok, Papa. What are you supposed to get this time?" Mary Margaret teased.

"Savannah wants me to bring home her two best friends," Kermit answered.

"Me and Jody?"

"No," replied Kermit, peering over his glasses. " Ben and Jerry."

"If we ever have another baby, promise you'll buy a Cadillac or a bus or anything beside this Hot Wheels to drive me around in," complained Savannah as Kermit helped her out of the Corvair.

"Your wish is my command." Kermit helped her steady herself and offered his arm. "Are you sure you're alright?" He was worried and wished at this moment that he had been able to convince his wife to stay at home.

Kermit had felt a little bit "off" all day long. He half expected to see that dark haired girl with those eyes. Smiling at him. She was like an echo. He knew that her presence, whether physical or not was real. He had made the leap to belief but he wasn't ready to share the experience with anyone yet. Not even Savannah.

"Hello, Green Man," Savannah touched his face. "I think the question is, are you alright?" She knew he was worried and wanted to put him at ease. Savannah really did feel better. In fact, she'd had an unusual burst of energy. She also knew Kermit would have a fit if he had seen her buzzing around the house with Merry hoovering over her every step.

He snapped back to reality and gave her his full attention. Kermit leaned down and kissed her, resting his hand on her stomach. "Anybody ever tell you you're the best looking Mommy in town?"

"Now that's more like it. Let's go to the party." Savannah urged him toward the door. She had agreed to stay for only an hour then go home so she didn't want to miss a minute.

Everyone had already arrived and the party was in full swing when the couple entered Delancy's. Kermit seated his wife with Mary Margaret and Caine then left to get a drink. Caine greeted the new party guest and excused himself to speak with Peter.

"Well," Savannah teased, "seems like the birthday girl blew out all her candles." She grinned at Mary Margaret and pointed her little finger at Caine.

"Guess you are feeling better if you have enough energy to tweak me on my birthday," laughed Mary Margaret. "And before you say it, no remarks about anyone else 'tweaking' me." She was truly relieved to see her friend up and around with rosy cheeks.

Mary Margaret had sat with Savannah a few times after her frightening trip to the hospital. The drain on the mother-to-be had be dramatic. Stress can do serious damage to a fragile body.

Things seemed to be fine now. Mary Margaret had said a prayer every day since then for her friends. They had paid their dues in full and deserved to be happy. All three of them.
"Yes, I'm absolutely perfect. I'm not so sure about Kermit, though," Savannah said giving Kermit a quick wink across the room. "He keeps watching me like I'm about to explode."

"Anxious about the little tadpole, huh?" asked Peter, joining them and giving Savannah a little peck on the cheek.

"Tadpole, nothin'. This is a baby hippo," Savannah announced with a smile and gave her tummy a pat. She put both hands on the table a began to rise. "If you will excuse me, I must make one of my never ending trips to the ladies room."

Before she had gotten completely out of her chair, Savannah gasped and grabbed the corner of the table. The color drained from her face. Peter held her shoulders and eased her back into her chair, yelling for Kermit.

He was at her side in an instant. Savannah couldn't speak. This contraction was intense. A great deal stronger that it should have been for the beginnings of labor. She could hear Kermit trying to help her through it but she couldn't respond. Finally, the pain began to ease and she could speak again. "Kermit," she said, grabbing his hand.

"It's ok, Scarlet," he reassured her. "I'll go get the car." He got up to leave, and she grabbed his hand again. This time, she screamed out loud. It was another contraction. Even stronger than the first.

Caine had taken a position on the other side of her chair and was gently touching her stomach. "You do not have time to get this woman to a hospital," he announced as the stunned crowd of friends watched.

"What the hell do you mean?" Kermit's voice was beginning to sound desperate. They were in a bar. His baby was coming and his wife was in pain. He needed to take some action, only he didn't know what to do.

"This child wishes to join us. Now. If you attempt to move your wife, you will not make it to the hospital." Caine was speaking in a calm, quiet voice as he continued to minister to his patient. Slowly, the pain subsided and Savannah tried to speak.

"This is supposed to take hours," she gasped. "It's too early. This can't be happening this way." Tears were streaming down her face. Fear was beginning to set in. To take over.

She was frantically pulling on Kermit's arm. "I'm supposed to be in the hospital and have all these drugs if I want 'em and doctors and nurses, Kermit. And the green scrubs for you, remember? Kermit, this can't be happening this way."

"Relax, Scarlet," he tried to comfort her, "it's going to be ok." He was lying. It didn't feel "ok" at all.

Peter had called an ambulance but if his father thought they wouldn't make it to the hospital, he knew that Baby Griffin would be arriving shortly. They moved Savannah into the office and tried to make her as comfortable as possible on the sofa. It became apparent, as the contractions blended into each other, that Caine was going to deliver this baby.

Kermit was behind her, holding Savannah's shoulders trying desperately to remember those Lamaze classes the two of them had laughed their way through. During their last class, he had teased her, asking if she really thought they needed a class to learn how to breathe. She had laughed so hard that she nearly lost her own breath. The instructor hadn't been amused. The couple had almost become the only parents-to-be ever expelled from childbirth class. Brilliant move, Griffin, he thought.

"Try to breath through the pain," he said, pulling her hair back from her face.

Savannah couldn't speak. She couldn't breath. The pain and the fear were choking her. She could hear Kermit telling her to breath over and over again. His voice was making her dizzy. The noise and the pain were swirling around her. How could she breath? She couldn't even think. If it would just stop for a minute she could get control again.

Reaching out through the panic, she grabbed Kermit's tie and yanked it as hard as she could.

"SHUT UP!" she screamed. "Lamaze was some stupid man's idea. It doesn't work worth shit! If you ...think... that breathing... is so ....fuckin' great....you do it!"

Kermit couldn't remember ever hearing her curse like that before. If he hadn't been so damn scared, it would have been funny. He extricated his tie from her grip and wiped her forehead with a towel.

"Kermit!" Caine spoke with authority this time. Not comfort. "The time is near. You must help her to focus. With the next contraction, she must push."

Savannah was lost in the pain. She was white and trembling. Breathing is gasps.

By this time, the EMT's had arrived. They were familiar with Caine and his reputation as a healer in the community. Rather than attempt to take over the situation from someone the mother already trusted, one of the men took a position behind Caine, to monitor the delivery, which was well underway. The other, began to monitor Savannah's vital signs.
Caine raised his voice again to Kermit, "You must help her, NOW! She can not do this alone." That put him in motion.

Skalany moved into his place behind his wife and he moved to her side. "Scarlet, hey, Scarlet. Look at me."

She couldn't. There was nothing but the pain. It was blinding and deafening. She tried to reach out and speak. "I can't do this. I can't do this."

He had to reach her though her panic. Savannah had planted that spark of faith in him. Everything they had survived to reach each other had fanned that spark into a flame. He would die before he let it go out again. Kermit took her face in his hands. "Now, listen to me. You can do this. I'm going to do it with you."

She focused on his face. Tried to concentrate.

Kermit tore off the glasses and laced his fingers with hers. "Listen, baby. You look at me. You scream. You break my damn hand if you need to. Caine says with the next contraction, you have to push, understand?"

For one split second, she was clear. She locked eyes with him and prepared. They both focused all energies on the task at hand. The next wave of pain hit and the work began.
Savannah pulled on his strength. Screaming out loud and taking all the energy Kermit had to give, she pushed their baby into Caine's waiting hands.

The new mother fell backwards into her friend's lap with the new father still holding her hands and kissing her face.

There was complete silence except for Savannah's rasping breath. No sound. Caine and the paramedic labored frantically over the infant. Kermit closed his eyes and held his breath.

In one glittering moment, the baby began to wail. An uninhibited, blessed shriek.
Everyone else resumed breathing.

After a few minutes, Caine wrapped the child in a cloth and presented the baby to it's father. "Meet your daughter, Kermit."

This man, full of bravado and power, took his child in his arms and shed tears of joy and relief. In an instant, he knew her face. The brilliant green eyes looking up at him were the same eyes that had appeared to him in his hour of decision. In the hospital when he was between life and death. This child had found a way to come to him and hold him in this plane of existence. In his dreams, she had planted the seeds of faith in his heart. In her mother's moment of crisis, she'd protected her. Here she was. Brand spanking new to the world. Screaming her head off. Kermit looked into those eyes and saw the daughter she would become. That tall, sassy teenager with the long dark hair.

"Katherine," he whispered. "Kat. It's really you, isn't it?"

He laid the baby in her mother's arms and the new family shared their first moments together. Savannah, kissed her daughter and mouthed the words "I love you" to Kermit. They didn't notice the cheers and tears of their friends who had delivered this child with them.

******

Everyone had finally gone home. Kermit was sure that the entire compliment of the 101st precinct would be speaking baby talk for a week. Even Strenlich had "oochie-choochied" Baby Griffin. What a sight, thought the new father.

Kermit sat there in the darkened hospital room, rocking his new daughter. Savannah had given in and gone to sleep. That had been a battle. Having this baby under the best of circumstances would have been difficult. His wife was a small woman and this darling baby weighed 9 pound and 10 ounces. The strain, the panic, and the fear had taken alot out of her. He was amazed and proud to have her as the mother of his child.

Even though the doctors had assured her that Katherine was a perfect, healthy baby, Savannah wouldn't relax or accept any medication for pain until she'd personally inspected every little pink inch of her. When the drugs started to kick in, she relinquished the baby to Kermit, making him promise to wake her when it was time for her next bottle.

Caine had kept his word and taken care of both of them. The priest had brought them together before the birth and held them together through it. Although delivering his daughter in the precinct hangout wasn't his first choice, Kermit was grateful that Caine had been there for all three of them. Being delivered by a Shambala master must be a good omen, he thought. He was actually beginning to believe in those.

Baby Katherine lay in her father's arms, looking up at him with her mother's green eyes. Quietly wrapping her tiny hand around Kermit's finger and his heart. *Caine was right,* he thought, still in an amazed trance. This golden life force was his gift to the world. His atonement for past sins and lives taken. Bringing this child into the world poured a light on all the darkness he'd left behind him. She would be a mighty woman someday. She already had the power to change the world. At least, his world. He'd seen it first hand.
But for now, she was just a tiny wiggle wrapped in a pink blanket. The world could wait for her. For now, she was all his. In those twinkling emerald eyes, Kermit Griffin saw himself. The person he was before the world of war and hatred had stomped the openness from his youth. Openness that he would give his last breathe to help his child hold onto.

"We have quite a secret, don't we Kat?" he said to his daughter. "You've been watching over your old man for a while now. Maybe you'll let me take care of you for a while, huh?"

Katherine snuggled closer into his arms and graced him with a huge yawn that made him laugh. This first day on earth had been a tiring one for her, also.

"Ok, Cutie. Before I put you down for the night, there's just one thing Daddy's got to say." Daddy. That's me, he thought. The one who'll terrorize your dates and try to teach you things.

He pulled her closer and said, "Kitty Kat, you may not have the best daddy there is. In fact, when you grow up, you may not be very proud of some of the things you find out about me. But I can promise you this. As long as I live, you'll be loved like no other. As hard as I can and the best I can."

Kermit kissed her forehead and put her in her bassinet. He gave Savannah a kiss and stretched out beside them on the couch. These two ladies were worth fighting to keep. Finding the courage to do it had been the greatest battle of his life. More difficult than any conflict of weapon and flesh. A battle of the heart that had required surrender.

*******

"This must be the place, Pop," said Peter as he surveyed the Griffin backyard. There were no less than fifty pink and white balloons tied to everything in sight. Crepe paper streamers and "Happy Birthday" signs everywhere.

"Yes, so it would seem," answered Caine. He looked almost comical carrying the huge floral box holding the gift Peter had bought from both of them for the party.

"Well, hello you two," Savannah offered, giving them both a peck on the cheek.

Peter was scanning the area for someone special. Savannah addressed his unasked question. "The Queen is holding court right over there." She directed their attention to a blanket in the corner of the yard where the birthday girl could be found.

The activity taking place on the blanket was nearly surreal. Detective Kermit Griffin was engaged in an activity that one year ago, would have netted him a trip to the nearest psychiatric hospital courtesy of any of his colleagues.

Kermit was blowing bubbles with his child, who was one year old today. He sat there, shades in place, filling the air with bubbles. Kat, as they all called her, would dance around in the pretend cloud then clap her hands for more. It was hard to tell who was having more fun. Father or daughter.

She was truly a beautiful child. Dark curly hair held in a huge white bow and wearing the pink ruffled dress her Aunt Marilyn had given her, she sparkled. With every giggle and flash of her dimples, Kat added a new heart to her list of admirers. Even so, it was obvious who was her biggest fan.

Kat spotted Caine and with a delighted squeal, ran toward him. Hands outstretched, she flew right into his warm embrace.

"When did she learn that new trick?" asked Peter, stealing a kiss for himself.

"Oh, she took her first steps a week ago and skipped straight to runnin'. Keeping up with that child is going to be better for me than any aerobics class," laughed Savannah.

Caine had Kat's chubby little arms wrapped around his neck and had given and received several kisses. He had a special bond with this child. She had taken her first breath lying in his hands. Caine had felt the power and goodness of her chi in those first moments.

Her mother's gentle heart and her father's fierce spirit. Under their guidance, she would grow into a powerful light for truth.

"If you don't mind keepin' up with Her Majesty for a few minutes, I'll go get the cake."

Savannah tickled Kat's back and took the Caine's birthday gift to a table already overflowing with boxes.

It seemed that Baby Kat was the darling of the precinct and nearly all of her parents friends had been able to attend her party. Even Savannah's parents had flown up from Memphis for their granddaughter's party. Evidence to Kat's power to move the world. Things were still strained between mother and grandparents, but they were all trying to forgive and heal.

Kermit joined Peter, Caine, and his daughter. "I believe I have you to thank for this," he stated, gesturing to the cut on his forehead.

"Not me, buddy," answered Peter. "Must be talking to you, Pop."

"Do not call me 'Pop' in front of the child," replied Caine. "I am not sure how I could be responsible for Kermit's injury."

"I made the mistake of asking my wife to show me what she learned in your class last week," said Kermit, taking Kat back for himself. "She clobbered me before I was ready."
Peter laughed out loud. "Before you were ready? Yeah, right. Don't be ashamed, Kermit. If she tries to beat you up again, call a cop."

Kermit gave him a serious glare and returned his attention to Caine. "I want to thank you for taking my wife as a student. It's been great for her and it's given me some peace of mind.

"What I want to say is, I'm grateful, Caine." He gave Kat a little squeeze. "Without you , I might not have these two ladies."

Gratitude wasn't something this man offered very easily. Caine understood the great feeling behind Kermit's words. "It is my honor to have been of service to your family and I will always be here if any of you should have need of my meager talents."

Kermit and Savannah had made quite a few compromises in their first year of marriage. He was still the same "in your face" guy he'd always been on the job, he had a place to leave that behind. Home. Although he was no less vigilant when it came to his family's safety, he focused more on what was, rather than what might happen. He knew that there was a risk for them but they were here in a place where there were others who would also protect his family if the need arose. Kermit accepted the fact that they were not alone. He could rely on this "team" of friends. He didn't have to be an army of one.
Savannah accepted the risks of Kermit's past and present. Reluctantly, she had learned to fire a weapon and had adopted a more restrained approach to greeting the outside world. She was still as open and friendly as ever, but just more watchful. Especially when it came to Kat. Mother's instinct made her put her baby's safety above all else. If anyone threatened this child, it would be hard to guess whose attack would be more vicious. Savannah's or Kermit's.

Savannah called over to them that it was time to blow out the candles on Kat's enormous birthday cake. "Come on, Kitty Kat," Kermit said to his baby girl. "Let's go make a big mess."

As they reached the table, Savannah snuggled in Kat's neck and said, "One day, she's really going to hate it when you call her that, ya' know?"

"Oh yeah. I know."

End

Next Story: Man Under The Bed

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