Title: Unknown Fear
Author: Lori <gussywussy55@yahoo.com>
Category: In Crowders (Kyle and Isabel)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: These characters are owned by UPN. I
borrow them for my own pleasure and no infringement is
intended.
Feedback: Yes please, good or bad.
Summary: This is the sequel to 'Deception'. 
Mostly a Kyle POV type fic, but not all.


****************


Kyle carefully sat up and looked back at his wife.
They had been married for 10 months and she was
expecting their first child at any moment. She was
beautiful laying there with her hand draped over her
large belly as if to protect their child.
Their child.
Kyle sighed and stood up.
After pulling on his jeans and some shoes, he gently
kissed his wife's cheek and then left the room.
Grabbing his keys he went out the door, and drawing a
deep breath, got into his SUV and drove off.

Isabel watched from the window as Kyle left, her
fingers lightly tracing circles on her belly. This was
the third night this week that he had gotten up to
leave their bed, but the first night to leave the
house. Something was bothering him and he was not
talking to her about it. She knew he loved her and
wanted this baby, but something wasn't right. She
hoped he either worked out what was bothering him or
talked to her about it soon. 
Isabel rubbed her back down low, and headed back to
bed. She looked down at her belly and frowned. She
wasn't very attractive anymore. Maybe that's what the
problem was. She climbed into the bed. Soon she would
have little sleep and needed all she could get right
now. The trouble was she couldn't sleep for worrying
about Kyle.

********

Kyle walked into the crowded club and sat down at the
bar. 
"Hey Kyle, you're here late. What's your pleasure?"
asked Mike, the bartender as he wiped down the
counter.
"Hey Mike. Uhhhh let me have a beer," said Kyle
looking around.
"That pretty little wife of yours let you out this
late?" asked Mike jokingly.
Kyle just smiled and took a drink of his beer.
"Bet you're getting anxious with that kid due anytime
aren't you?" asked Mike putting away some glasses
under the bar.
Kyle took another drink and looked away trying to
ignore Mike.
Mike continued on as he served up another customer.
"Yeah, from the second kids come into the world just
screaming their heads off they need all of your
attention. You make sure they have all their fingers
and toes, plenty to eat, and their butts covered. And
then there's the money! Don't get me started on the
cost of raising a kid. You name it and they need it,
and it all adds up. And then they get to be teenagers
and you hit the, 'I'm different and you just don't
understand stage.' It just never ends. Why I remember
when my first was born, Lois and I...." 
"Yeah, yeah, that's great Mike. I got to get going.
See you later," said Kyle as he chugged his last bit
of beer and left some bills on the counter before
heading out the door.

Jim Valenti walked up to the bar as he looked at the
figure heading out the door. "Hey Mike, wasn't that
Kyle?"
Mike stood watching the door thoughtfully as he
answered, "Yeah it was. And Jim," he leaned over to
Jim and with concern in his voice said, "That kid of
yours, something ain't right."
Jim frowned and asked, "What do you mean Mike? Kyle
was upset?" He had to admit it was strange for Kyle to
be out at this hour at a club when Isabel was home and
due any moment. Kyle rarely left Isabel alone at night
any way. They were regular home bodies for being so
young.
Mike set the glass down he had been wiping and said,
"Jim, that kid has something on his mind and it's
eating him up."
"Like what?" asked Jim, now really concerned himself
over Kyle's behavior.
"We was talking about kids and I was telling him about
how you never stop worrying and the cost of the kids.
You know, preparing him. He left before I could tell
him that it's still the greatest feeling in the world 
to be a Dad though. He just up and left," explained
Mike.
Jim began to see what may be going on and nodded. 
"Thanks Mike. I'll have a talk with him and see what's
on his mind."
"Yeah, you do that Jim," said Mike as he headed off to
serve another customer.
Jim sighed. Tomorrow he would talk to Kyle and try to
set his mind at ease. 

***********

Kyle slid back into bed behind Isabel and spooned her.
He had just closed his eyes when he heard her voice
come quietly to him in the dark. 
"Kyle, is everything alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, everythings fine. I just went for a walk.
Go back to sleep," Kyle told her as he kissed her
shoulder. 
Isabel didn't respond, but she knew he was lying to
her. She smelled the beer on him and had seen him
drive off. She clutched his hand over her belly and
tried to sleep. But sleep was not something that came
for either of them.

************

Max watched as Isabel moved the pillows around on the
sofa and then changed them back. She had already moved
the flowers on the table to the mantel and back, and 
she had paced around like a caged animal until it
began to disturb him. When she sent a bowl of fruit
crashing to the floor and collapsed in tears next to
it he was alarmed. He rushed to her side calling her
name.
"Isabel! Are you alright? Are you in pain?" he asked
thinking the baby was coming.
Isabel shook her head. "It's not the baby. Help me
up," she said through her sobs.
Max helped her to the sofa and put her feet up before
getting her some water.
"What happened Isabel?" he asked her as he sat by her
side.
Isabel rolled her eyes upward and sniffed. 
"Somethings wrong with Kyle."
Max frowned. "What do you mean somethings wrong with
Kyle? Is he sick?" 
Isabel shook her head. "No...well I don't think so. I
don't know," she said in frustration. 
"Why do you think somethings wrong?" asked Max handing
her a tissue from the box on the coffee table.
"Because he's been leaving at night after we go to
bed," said Isabel blowing her nose.
"Leaving?" said Max shocked. "Where does he go?"
"That's just it, I don't know. He's done it three
times now this week. But last night was the first time
he's driven somewhere. And....he lied to me about it,"
sobbed Isabel anew.
"He lied to you?" asked Max tensing.
"He said he had gone for a walk, but I saw him drive
off and he smelled of beer when he came back. He lied
to me Max. Why would he do that?" asked Isabel, her
shoulders shaking.
Max put his arms around her and held her as he said,
"I don't know Isabel. Do you want me to talk to him?"
"I don't know. I....I know he loves me, but I don't
understand why he's doing this. Maybe he thinks I'm
too ugly to sleep with because I'm so huge," she
cried.
"Shhhhh....You can't get worked up like this Isabel.
You have to think of the baby. I'll bet Kyle's just
restless and that's all," said Max hoping it wasn't
another woman or Isabel would be a widow when Max
finished with him.
"I know, but I can't help it," she sniffed.
"Lay back," he ordered her. Placing his hand over her
eyes he hummed softly and soon Isabel was quietly
sleeping.
Max stood up, satisfied that Isabel would sleep for a
while. He picked up the phone and called Michael.
"I need you to keep an eye on Isabel for me. Yeah, I
don't want her alone while I tend to some business for
her. Right, I'll see you then." 

Michael looked down on Isabel's sleeping form and
asked, "What's going on? Why are you tending to stuff
for Isabel instead of Kyle?"
"Because Kyle's the business. He's been sneaking out
at night and lying to Isabel. I'm going to confront
him," said Max grimly.
"That son of a bitch! He's fooling around on her?
She's his wife and going to have his baby! Well I want
to lay into his ass too!" said Michael starting for
the door.
"Michael! No! Someone has to stay with Isabel. And I
don't know that it's another woman, but I'm going to
find out. Just stay here and keep her calm if she
wakes up," ordered Max.
Michael knew Max was right, but he didn't like it.
"If he's screwing around on her I'll kill him Max,"
warned Michael.
"You won't get the chance because I'll have done it
first," Max informed him before turning and leaving.

*********

Jim stood looking down at Kyle's legs sticking out
from under the car he was working on. 
He really hoped this would be a productive talk and
that Kyle would open up to him. Taking a breath he
called out, "Kyle! Hey son, come on out from under
there and take a break!"
"Dad? Hold on," Kyle replied and came rolling out from
under the car. "What are you doing here?" asked Kyle
as he wiped grease off of his hands.
"Well I saw you leaving the club last night and didn't
get to talk to you," said Jim wondering if Kyle would
deny being there.
"You saw me?" asked Kyle hesitantly. He hadn't counted
on his Dad still being there.
"Mike said he thought something was bothering you,"
said Jim not pulling any punches.
Kyle turned away. "Good old Mike," he said under his
breath.

Max rounded the corner of the garage and pulled up
short at seeing Jim there with Kyle. He stood behind
the door and listened in.

"What's going on son?" asked Jim.
Kyle knew it was useless to try and lie to his father.
After all the man had made a living as the Sheriff
getting people to spill their guts, and he had not
given up until he knew the truth about the aliens.
Kyle rubbed his neck as he said, "When Isabel and I
were married it was a shock to us."
"But you love her and she loves you. Anyone can see
it," said Jim, reminding his son of that fact.
"Yeah, yeah I do...we do, but this is all moving so
fast. We haven't been married that long and now....I
mean I want kids with her and have from the first,
even when she tried to trick me, but now that's it
about to happen....I'm...I..." he couldn't finish.
"You're scared," finished Jim.
Kyle turned to look at his Dad. "Yeah...yeah."
Jim took a few steps towards Kyle. "Kyle, I know Mike
scared you last night...he tends to spout off before
thinking, but you didn't hear the last of what he had
to say...what I want to tell you too..."
Kyle wiped at his eyes as Jim said, "Being a father is
the best job you will ever have Kyle. Yeah, everything
Mike said is true, but the good out weighs the bad and
you conqueor your fears because your child needs you.
It's okay to be scared, but remember Isabel is scared
too, and she needs you to be strong."
Kyle nodded as he swiped at his nose. 
"I know Dad, but...what if....what if it has powers
and I can't handle it? You know...what if I can't
control this little kid or teenager who has powers and
I don't? And what if I can't keep it safe from the
alien hunters and all the other aliens?" asked Kyle
fearfully.
Jim hadn't thought of that. Kyle had some valid fears.

"Well then you have to let it know who the parent is,
and the consequences of using those powers. You will
make mistakes, we all do, but you are going to do fine
Kyle, just trust your instincts. As for keeping your
family safe from aliens and alien hunters..." Jim
looked away and back, "I can't really answer that Kyle
except to say that you've survived so far and so has
Isabel. Trust your instincts in that as well. It's all
you can do."
"Thanks Dad," said Kyle giving his Dad a small smile.
"Your welcome son. And Kyle, you should talk to Isabel
about this. She has the same fears you do I'd wager. 
I learned that the hard way with your Mom. We didn't
talk and she left," said Jim.
"Isabel wouldn't do that," said Kyle firmly.
"I'm sure she wouldn't Kyle, just remember what I
said," Jim told him. "Well I need to go. The bands got
a gig and we need to practice."
"Yeah okay. Thanks for coming by Dad," Kyle said as he
hugged his father.
Jim nodded as tears gathered in his eyes. This was the
best part of being a Dad.

Max smiled in relief at the conversation he had just
heard. Kyle wasn't fooling around on Isabel, he was
just scared and needed reassurance. 
Moving quietly away he headed back to Isabel's to
relieve her mind.

*********

Isabel sat on the edge of the bed rubbing lotion on
her arms. Kyle had said little at supper. She had been
waiting for him to make the first move after Max told
her not to worry, that Kyle was okay and he would be
talking to her. How Max knew that she didn't know, but
she trusted him. But Kyle had yet to say anything to
her about what was bothering him.
Kyle shut the light off in the bathroom and headed for
the bed. He had been thinking about how to broach the
subject of his fears with Isabel. What if his Dad was
wrong and Isabel wasn't worried and it was just him?
He would be a weakling in her eyes and couldn't take
that.
He lay back on the pillows and sighed.
"You felt okay today?" he asked her as he rubbed her
back.
"Yeah...fine," Isabel replied softly as she moved to
lay down. It was getting harder to do, and she felt
ready to explode. 
Kyle looked at the ceiling as Isabel lay her head on
his shoulder. 
He felt a wetness on his bare skin and glanced down to
see teardrops running down Isabel's cheeks and on to
him.
"Isabel! Is it the baby? Do you need me to get help?"
asked Kyle instantly alert. He swallowed hard to keep
his fears at bay.
Isabel struggled to control her tears, but they fell
harder as she said, "I don't understand why you leave
our bed at night. Is it me? You can't stand sleeping
with me because I'm a whale?"
Kyle's face took on a horrified look at her words.
"NO! Oh gawd no! It's not you Isabel, you're beautiful
and defintely not a whale. It's...it's me." 
He ran a hand through his hair and stood up beginning
to pace. 
"I...I've been worried...worried about the baby and
money and...stuff," he finally told her.
"Kyle, why didn't you tell me?" said Isabel standing.
"I didn't want you to think I was crazy or
worry....but I guess you did anyway...I'm sorry," said
Kyle feeling bad about upsetting her.
"Kyle, I've had fears too. What if I'm a terrible
mother! I've not been around a lot of babies and don't
know if I can do this!" said Isabel fidgiting in her
own fear.
Kyle went to her and took her in his arms. "Hey don't
do that. You are going to be a great Mom. I mean what
other kid can claim a mom who has powers? You'll be
great."
Understanding began to fully dawn on Isabel. Searching
Kyle's face she said, "You're afraid the baby will
have powers aren't you? That it will be more alien
than human."
Kyle wanted to deny it, but didn't. "Yeah. What if I
can't raise a kid with powers or they use them on me
when they're pissed at me? What if I can't protect you
and the kid if hunters come after you?"
Isabel smiled as she hugged him to her. "Oh Kyle, I
think we both have fears that we shouldn't have. Our
child is not going to use any powers on you if they
even have any at all. We will teach it how to use
their powers and when. And you've kept me safe so far
so I feel like you will not fail in protecting us."
"Dad said the same things. He said I should have
talked to you and not kept it to myself. I just didn't
want to worry you," he said kissing her.
"No more leaving in the night Kyle. I was scared and
didn't know what to do," said Isabel closing her eyes
at the feel of Kyle's arms around her making her feel
safe again.
"No more leaving," he agreed as he led her back to
bed.
"You need sleep Isabel," said Kyle as he crawled in
bed next to her, and pulled her close.
Isabel closed her eyes. "I love you Kyle."
Kyle sighed as he closed his eyes and smiled, "I love
you too." 

They still had their fears, but they were less now
that they were shared. They could finally sleep and
dream of the child they awaited.


End