The Tegan Chronicles are a series of stories about (you guessed it) Tegan Porter. From birth to the day Tegan falls pregnant with a child of her own, as well as possible off-shoots in the same universe, these stories explore the lives of Tegan and her family and friends.

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Title: Tegan

Summary: Damien hated hospitals. The smell of the antiseptic was enough to make him sick; the squeakiness of the nurses’ shoes hurt his ears, the bright white lights that hummed like a million insects only making it worse.

Copyright: © Copyright 2005 Ishling25. All rights reserved. Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Ishling25.

Author’s Notes: Just an idea I had…might expand it into a series if people like it.

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Damien hated hospitals. The smell of the antiseptic was enough to make him sick; the squeakiness of the nurses’ shoes hurt his ears, the bright white lights that hummed like a million insects hurting his eyes and setting his teeth on edge.

He especially hated hospitals today, even though he knew one was necessary. Listening to Mira scream, her beautiful face screwed up in pain, one pale hand clutching his in a death grip, these things made him antsy. He wanted to leave, wanted to go and have a coffee while he waited for the inept doctors and nurses to fix his love, but he knew that they couldn’t. This was his fault; she was suffering because of him. And he promised himself he wouldn’t let her get in such a state again.

“That’s it, Mrs. Porter, just one more push.” Dr. McCauley encouraged, and Damien fought the urge to snarl at him. That wasn’t ‘it’. Mira’s pain wouldn’t be over after one last push. It was going to continue on forever.

A wail brought him back to the present, and he smoothed his free hand over Mira’s sweaty forehead, pushing damp black curls off her bone-white face. “It’s ok, love, I’m here.” He soothed.

Another wail, this time coming from the thing in Dr. McCauley’s hands.

Damien stared at it in horror. This was it? All Mira’s pain…for that? That scrawny, ugly, red little thing which was shrieking its lungs out. It was a demon child, not human. It couldn’t be the child he and Mira had waited so long for.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Porter, Mr. Porter, you have a beautiful baby girl.” Dr. McCauley announced, handing the squalling thing to a young blonde nurse. “Eva will clean her up for you, and you’ll be able to hold your daughter in a jiffy.”

Meanwhile, the other nurse, Tamika, was writing out the child’s birth certificate. “Name?” She asked efficiently.

Damien frowned. None of the carefully picked boys’ and girls’ names seemed to fit the thing that Eva had just taken away. “I’ll wait until Mira’s had a chance to see her.” He said finally.

Tamika nodded. “Very well. Just fill it in when you’re ready, sir.” She went to clean up, Dr. McCauley following after a quick examination of Mira.

“Damien, is she ok?” Mira asked weakly, her dark eyes exhausted.

Damien nodded. “She’s fine. Dr. McCauley said she’s perfectly healthy.”

A beatific smile lit up his wife’s drawn face. “Thank god.” She sighed. “When am I gonna get to hold her, Damien?” The smile trembled, then disappeared, as tears slid down Mira’s cheeks. “When am I going to hold my baby?”

“Uh…” Damien was saved by plump and happy Eva, who came back carrying a pink-wrapped bundle, which she promptly put into Mira’s arms.

“There tha are.” She said cheerfully, her Yorkshire accent thick and lilting. “Thy young ‘un all safe ‘n’ soun’. ‘N’ a prettier lass I ne’er did see. Wha’ dost thee plan ta name th’ lil tyke?”

Mira looked down at the youngest Porter, beaming. “What do you think, love?” She asked Damien, “Tegan?”

Damien nodded, staring at his daughter, miraculously transformed from a monster into a baby with Mira’s delicate features under her baby fat, sweet curling eyelashes, and his and Mira’s dark curly hair. “Tegan Deirdre Porter.” He suggested.

Mira smiled, stroking her daughter’s face. “Our little Tegan.”

End Ficlet