Tina stared at Jenkins; she heard the words but wasn't sure of the meaning. Unsure, Tina looked for any sign Jenkins may be joking, but he wasn't. This she knew but about what? Her enhancement? The babies being fully enhanced offspring?

It was Craig who couldn't seem to process the information. He stared at Jenkins, silently blinking, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.

Tina looked at Jenkins, shaking her head, "Please say that again."

Jenkins looked between the couple staring at him, "I see I've dropped a bombshell."

"Understatement," Tina said, "please add more detail to the words."

Jenkins nodded, pulling up a chair and slowly sitting, "We all know about the newfound bounty hunter skills Tina has ... acquired," Jenkins said.

He waited until Tina and Craig nodded.

"Tina got shot, and Craig gave a pint of his blood to save her life and the babies," Jenkins said.

Again the couple nodded, "We got that part," Tina said.

"Great," Jenkins said, "now ... the Nanos in Craig's blood went to work on Tina. Doing what they were designed to do ... fix stuff."

"We know they worked because Tina is awake," Craig said, squeezing Tina's hand, "what did they do?"

"While fixing her injuries, they uncovered an anomaly and went to work on it," Jenkins said.

"What did they find?" Tina asked, worry churning through her.

"They uncovered something and fixed it. It showed in the blood panel we ran. According to Tina's blood work ... she was enhanced, but it remained dormant until the nanotechnology went to work. Whatever Darcia did to hold it in place was destroyed or removed ..." Jenkins shook his head, "we don't know. Have you had anything unusual happening around you or from you? Not the babies ... just you."

Tina frowned, "I can't really say. I'm aware of what the babies can do ... and who hasn't really shown what they can do, but as for myself ..." she shook her head.

Jenkins nodded, "It may not have had time to gain speed yet. Give it time, and please tell me if anything strange happens."

"I will do," Tina nodded, "but am I an enhanced being?"

"You're... semi-enhanced," Jenkins said, "which makes what I'm about to add even more ... strange or perhaps weird."

Tina looked at Craig, gripping his hand. She swallowed hard, ready to hear something was wrong with her children. Looking at Jenkins, she whispered, "Are they okay?"

Jenkins nodded, smiling, "From what we can see, they are doing really well," Jenkins said, nodding, "more than well, they are dependent on each other and unharmed."

Craig frowned, "How are they unharmed?"

"One of them seems to have shielded the others from the bullet fragments and saved their lives," Jenkins said, "the shield is still up even though Rose tried to reassure them it's not coming down."

Tina looked at Craig, "Talk to them, Babe. See what is going on in there."

Craig nodded, placing his hand over her swollen stomach, "Are all of you paying attention?"

Tina watched as he sat silently before blinking and returning to Jenkins and herself. "Apparently, it will stay in place until the Nanos have done their job, and after that, it will be lowered. He isn't tired and is insistent that no one is to worry about them."

"Are they getting nutrition?" Jenkins asked.

"They are," Craig said, looking at Tina, "number four is the lifesaver in this event."

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"Force field," she whispered, "who would have known ... but it's not the only thing he can do."

"Probably not," Craig said, grinning, "I sense he takes after me somehow."

"We'll get to meet them in a few months," Tina said, "I can't wait."

"Two months," Jenkins said, clearing his throat, "they are further developed than we first thought."

"I'm..." Tina blinked quickly and swallowed, "... seven months pregnant."

"It would seem so," Jenkins said.

"I'll have to get someone to take over the teams for two months," Craig said.

"Why?" Jenkins asked.

"To make sure they come to term," Craig said, "we've been apart too much for my peace of mind."

"But they have still grown and haven't been adversely affected," Tina said, "how can that be?"

"I was wondering that myself, so I did some research. We discovered a difference between those with a half-and-half gene pool and those who are enhanced," Jenkins said.

"What is the difference?" Craig asked, dread racing through his veins, "is it good or bad?"

"Offspring from the half and half gene pool, both parents are required to be ... joined at the hip ... to bring them to term," Jenkins said, "even though you two haven't been such, the babies have thrived. The research shows offspring, where both parents are enhanced, do not require that constant attention from both."

"So we didn't need to be around each other so much?" Tina asked, frowning.

"Oh, you do," Jenkins said, "but the offspring is not affected should you be separated for a short time."

"That makes sense," Craig nodded, "it also explains the sensations of needing to spend time with the babies. They needed that time, as did you, Tina."

"For now, I would advise you stay by their side until Tina is healed," Jenkins said, "then look at getting back in the field."

"Thanks, Jenkins," Tina whispered, clutching the man's hand, "you have been there constantly. I don't think either of us would have gotten to this point without your insight, forethought and patience."

A slight blush stained his thin cheeks, "It's a pleasure to be of service."

Rising, he extended his hand and shook Craig's before leaving the infirmary. Craig watched him go, shaking his head.

"I have one question he cannot answer," Craig said.

"What's that?" Tina asked.

"Do we tell David about your enhancement?" Craig asked, meeting Tina's sparkling eye.

"I don't know how often he'll be angry about what I went through. He seems to have a pit of anger ... is it necessary?" Tina asked.

"We don't need to tell him," Craig said, "but if my sister started sprouting new abilities when she wasn't supposed to ..." Craig shook his head, "I'd be hurt she didn't think I could take it. Yes, I would be angry she went through what she did unnecessarily, but I'd still want to know."

Tina looked at the white ceiling, "Nothing has happened yet, and I still need to heal. Could we give it a day or two so I can get used to the idea?"

"Babe, you can take all the time you need," Craig raised her hand, kissing her knuckles, "I'm here until you tell me you're happy to be self-sufficient again."

Tina smiled, "Thank you. Right now, it would be helpful to get your family some food. I'm starving."

Laughing, Craig rose and kissed Tina's forehead before heading out of the infirmary. Tina sighed, watching the door swing closed.

"How am I supposed to know which is mine or theirs?" she whispered, "I was never supposed to be enhanced. When did it happen?"

Flipping through the memories of her time at the facility, Tina could not place a point when a process was performed. Shifting slightly, Tina winced at the slicing pain in her side and leg.

"Fine, I'll stay still," she mumbled, balling her fingers into her palm before stretching it out, "why am I talking to ..." she paused, "what am I talking to?" Tina lay still, uncertainty, fear and worry mixing together in her chest, "Can I get this sorted out before I become a danger?"

"You're not going to be in danger or cause any danger," Cara said, walking into the infirmary with a food tray. "I sent Craig to shower; the man has been at your side for too long and needs a break, and you need someone who smells better than he does."

Slowly moving into a sitting position, Tina rested against the bank of pillows, "Thanks for adding some and bringing me food."

"Good deflection, but it doesn't take away from the point you're not going to be a danger ... to anyone," Cara said, "so far there has been no physical display. It's all sensory right now. It may change when your other four arrive but for now, please ... stop worrying about something you learnt about a few moments ago."

"Jenkins told you," Tina shook her head, "why?"

"Jenkins didn't say a thing," Cara said, sighing, "everyone has very loud opinions these days. I cannot walk anywhere without information coming my way."

"Ah, sorry," Tina said, "it must be tough to get a bit of quiet."

"Impossible to get any quiet," Cara sighed, rubbing her forehead, "now, don't have a thought about anything. You need to concentrate on healing and eating your food."

Tina met Cara's gaze and gave a sudden laugh, "I can do that."