The Cutter swayed gently back and forth on the waves of the deep blue sea. Early morning light stained the waters prettily as the sun rose over the waters and eventually shone into the cabin Elly and Zoro were sleeping in.

"Oh god." The pale young woman jerked bolt upright, hand covering her mouth. The swordsman at her side was awake instantly, though he'd been snoring lustily a moment before.

"What?"

"I don't feel so great." She retched and tried to get up but couldn't.

"Crap! watch it." He reached for her shoulder to steady her but she paled drastically, a change noticeable even with her normally light features and he flinched. Elly looked amused for a second but then another wave of nausea struck and she doubled over, struggling to hold it in. She would have rolled off if the big man hadn't tightened his grip. The green cotton sheets wrinkled unheeded under her clenched hands. The terrible churning sensation she had experienced for awhile was worse today, sure enough it was what she'd feared.

"I'm fine," she moaned, flinging back sweaty purple strands of hair from her cheeks. "Just get the pail or something. Quick."

"But - you..." He vaulted the bed and grabbed the bucket they kept in the bathroom for emergencies. Zoro's face blanched when she threw up noisily. "We need to get you to a doctor!"

"I don't know if that would help," she muttered. He glared at her as if she were insane.

"You're sick," he pointed out acidly.

"I don't think they could do much for my condition," she drawled. "I'll be better. I have to get used to it."

"Used to it? What the f-" His voice trailed off. Elly bent over the pail again and when she looked back up he was sprawled on the wooden decking, eyes wide and face blank with shock.

"You all right?"

"Me? M'fine." He blinked and his left eye twitched a little.

"Good. You're going to need to start helping me out around the place now. Especially later."

"Later?"

"In several months."

"Is that...does that mean?"

"Yes, dear. You're going to be a father." She paused. "Um, now if you excuse me, I think I'm going to throw up again."