The Greatest Sacrifice

[Red Ranger 1]

Nice, short chapter.The conversation between them was really well done.Looking forward to more!

[Sabrina]

Great chapter!

I loved Tony and Rachel's conversation. They are so sweet together.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

[charmed60]

Thank you all for your lovely lovely comments so far! Just a note to say that I've edited in a little sneak preview for the J&M fans to which I've decided to include in the next chapter. I'll try my hardest to get it done a.s.a.p!

[Barbara]

Nice update!

Even with Rachel worrying about her patient, they still had a nice date. I'm glad to know Tony is understanding and already accepting the fact that Rachel's job is really important to her.

Looking forward to the next chapter!

[KirstyEkua]

Awwwww Tachel Laura i loved this chapter. It was so sweet to see them on a little date but i also like how Rachel was unable to shake off her problems at work. I'm glad she confinded in Tony about her fears; it says a lot at this early stage of their relationship. I loved how nervous he was at the start, bless him! I loved how Tony chose a romantic restaurant, that's so like him and i was glad she seemed to find it easy to open up to him about her problems at work. He's so understanding and supportive. It's a shame Rachel is so worried about her patient it's affecting her private life as well. But i guess that's all part of being a doctor and it's good Tony realises that.

“You seem distracted” he admitted honestly, “are you having second thoughts about us?” He held his breath, terrified of the response. Images flashed into his head of her admitting that she was and him having to drive her home in awkward silence.

I feltt so sorry for Tony here Poor guy.

I think you've captured both their personalities perfectly Tony's insecurity in particular. Can't wait for more

[charmed60]

I'm soooooo sorry that I've taken so long to update. Life has been just far too hectic and a lot has happened so I physically haven't been able to update but I've come back with a longer one to make up for it. Thank you so much to Carina, Zetti, Red Ranger, Sabrina, Barbara and Kirsty. I hope you're not bored of this fic and enjoy this new one. Things are hopefully calmer now so I should be able to start updating more regularly. Thank you for sticking with me This chapter is a bit of a dedication to the JM fans! And a little bit for the Tachel ones!

“It’s like a horror movie” Jack gasped, whispering to Martha as he bit his fingernails and slid down in his chair, wanting the video to finish playing. She’d dragged him along to labour preparation classes, something he’d worked hard at to get out of. But she insisted that they both needed all the help they could get.

“Jack shh” Martha lectured, cautiously looking around to make sure no-one had heard before turning her attention back to the television screen. She cringed. Suddenly the idea of having a baby was terrifying her.

“I feel sick Martha” Jack mumbled, gagging at the sight of blood as the camera panned across the hospital bed in the documentary.

“You are a cop, how can you be afraid of the sight of blood?” she asked bemused, frustrated that he was acting so childishly. The whole thing was frightening her more than she’d realised it could and she needed her husband to be strong for her.

“This is kind of different don’t you think” he winced back as he watched the man in the video’s hand get cut into by his wife’s fingernails as she screamed hysterically.

“Do you think this is what it’s going to be like?” Martha shakily asked, begging her husband to assure her it wouldn’t.

“Probably” Jack shrugged, “I guess they wouldn’t show you this video if it wasn’t true.”

“Great, thanks” she sighed, her eyes glancing to the side to see if the other women were reacting in the same way she was. They weren’t. She felt a tear catch in her throat. “Damn hormones” she muttered, breathing in deeply in an effort to get them to leave.

“This is the only class we have to come to right?” Jack pleaded.

“It’s a six week course” Martha replied, her eyes glued to the screen.

“Do you mind if I don’t come in future?” he whispered, half serious?

“Yes I do mind” she shrieked a little too loudly. “I need you here Jack, I don’t know what I’m doing either. I don’t know what’s going to happen or what to expect when my waters break. I don’t know what pain relief to have, what if I can’t handle the pain?”

“You’ll be fine, you just have to breathe” Jack replied, patting her leg as she rolled her eyes and felt them brimming with tears. She wished her Mum was here. Her sombre thoughts were suddenly cut short as the sound of a tiny baby’s newborn lungs filled the room and Martha couldn’t help but smile a little, wondering what her own baby would look like.

“I’m sorry I need some fresh air” Jack apologised, gagging as a placenta was featured on the screen, it’s bloody veins prominent. He raced out of the room, the door slamming behind him as Martha felt her cheeks brighten with embarrassment. Everyone had turned to look at her with sympathy in her eyes, something she hated more than anything. Picking her bag up from the side of the chair, she made her excuses to the leader of the group and left the class, tears rolling silently down her cheeks.

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

“Hi Martha” Rachel smiled as she opened the door to their house and dumped her heavy bag down by the side of the table.

“Hey” she muttered.

Rachel raised her eyebrow at Martha’s unusual mood and as she came closer to her she noticed the pile of soggy tissues. “Have you been crying?” she asked sympathetically, taking a seat next to her and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

“I’m so scared Rachel” Martha began to sob, her hand flinging to her mouth as the tears flooded violently from her body.

“Hey hey it’s okay” Rachel hushed, “why are you scared sweetie?”

“Of the birth, I don’t know how I’m going to do it. I went to my class today and it was horrible; they showed us a video” she choked. “Jack couldn’t even handle it Rachel, he ran out of the room. What’s he going to do when I’m in labour, what if he can’t cope and I have to go through it all on my own.”

“You won’t have to be on your own” Rachel reassured, rubbing her back comfortingly. “And Jack will be absolutely fine; he’ll want to be there for you and to see his son or daughter be born. And Tony and I will be waiting outside the room, pacing the corridor” she giggled. “When you’re having the baby, all of his natural instincts will kick in I promise.”

“But what if they don’t?” Martha asked pessimistically. “I’ve got so many questions and he can’t answer any of them. And I can never go back to the class again, I’m too embarrassed. I just wish my Mum was here, she’d know what to do.” The mention of her mother made a fresh set of tears pour out of her eyes and she placed a hand on her growing bump as the baby moved.

“I know you do” Rachel smiled sadly. “You and Jack will pick everything up so quickly, you’re going to be amazing parents” she reassured. “And I know it’s not the same but you can always ask me if you’ve got any questions, I know I haven’t had a baby but I’ve seen enough births. And you know what; every single one of them was different. So don’t take that video as an example of what you’re going to go through because it won’t be. Everything will be fine, we can go through all the different pain reliefs and what you can do during the labour to make things more comfortable. I can show you how to use the birthing balls and TENS machines.”

Martha smiled as an idea popped into her heard and she felt a tiny bit of hope. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course” Rachel nodded, pleased that she seemed to be feeling more confident.

“Will you be there? At the birth I mean?” Martha asked hopefully.

Rachel hesitated, completely shell shocked. “You want me there?” she stuttered.

“Yes I do, it makes perfect sense. I’m allowed two birthing partners and you know so much, I think I’d just feel more relaxed knowing that you were there and Jack could then focus on holding my hand and rubbing my back” she giggled. “It will be less pressure on him because I know he’s worried about it to. And seeing as my Mum can't be...”

“If you want me there then absolutely of course I will” Rachel beamed. “I mean, as long as it’s okay with Jack of course.”

“Thank you so much” Martha grinned, hugging her friend. “Jack will be fine with it I’m sure, I’ll ask him tonight but he’ll just be relieved that he’s not going to need to answer all of my stupid questions.”

“They’re not stupid” Rachel lectured. “Ah I’m so excited, I’m going to see you being born little one” Rachel sang as she rubbed Martha’s tummy. “He’s getting big in there.”

“I know, he’s going to be tall like his Daddy I think” Martha smiled proudly, her future suddenly feeling a little more optimistic.

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

Rachel rubbed her eyes wearily; it had been a long day and she couldn’t wait to get some sleep. Flicking the switch of the kettle she yawned before picking up her mobile phone and resting on the couch, her legs tucked underneath her. Her eyes glossed over the text Tony had sent her after dropping her off last night and a smile crept across her face.

“Knock knock” he tapped on the ajar door, causing Rachel to jump and drop her phone on the floor, embarrassed at the moment in which she’d been interrupted from.

“Hey” she beamed when she saw Tony standing guiltily behind her. “Come in, I was just about to make tea, do you want one?”

“Thanks” he smiled, “sorry about scaring you there, I haven’t had that reaction from a woman in a while.” Tony cringed at the memory whilst following her into the kitchen.

“Oh don’t be silly” she laughed while grabbing another mug from the cupboard. “I was just thinking about something” Rachel added coyly “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Was it about your patient you were telling me about last night?” he asked softly, smiling as he took the mug from her and sat on the couch. “I wanted to come round and just check you were okay, I know you were worried about it yesterday.”

“Thank you” she smiled, half surprised at how in tune he was with what she was thinking. “I’m still not sure what to think to be honest. I spoke to Dr Benson today, the doctor who took over her care and he didn’t think there was any reason for concern at all. He said the husband was polite and concerned and…” she hesitated.

“And basically he’s accusing you of overreacting?” Tony finished, a hint of disgust evident in the tone of his voice.

“Maybe more just me accusing myself of overreacting.” Rachel shrugged and looked downcast, part of her embarrassed that she’d made such a big deal but also another part of her frustrated that no-one seemed to believe her. Something hadn’t felt right, she couldn’t have made that up could she?

“Rach” Tony began, resting his hand on top of hers. “You are a great doctor and you should stop being so hard on yourself. You couldn’t exactly do anything with the bloke in the room with you could you? “

“No but…” Rachel became teary. She didn’t know why this was affecting her so much.

“No buts” Tony squeezed her hand. “You did everything you could in that short space of time you were given with her. You documented it and made people aware of your concerns so doctors she sees in the future are going to be aware that they need to keep an eye on her. There’s nothing more you could have done.”

“I guess” Rachel smiled, half convinced. “Thank you.” She wiped a tear from her cheek and took a deep breath to stop the barrage of further tears which were threatening to fall.

“Come here” Tony offered, holding his arms out and pulling her towards him, gently stroking her hair. “I’m really proud of you. Of how much you go out of your way to help and care for people. I hate to see you beating yourself up about something you can’t do anything about.”

“Thank you for letting me talk to you about it” Rachel whispered, wrapping her arms tighter around him.

“Anytime” he smiled, kissing her shoulder. “I’m just glad you know you can.”

Preview:

Jack makes a promise to Martha

Rachel encounters her patient again - heightening her suspicions

[Red Ranger 1]

That opening scene was really funny, with Jack and Martha both freaking out at the birthing video. The rest of it, with Rachel reassuring Martha and Tony reassuring Rachel, was rather sweet.Glad you've posted again!

[Barbara]

Such a beautifully written chapter!

I can see why Martha was embarrassed when Jack left the room so suddenly. Too bad, Jack didn't see she was freaking out about the birth. I'll admit I found his reaction a bit funny! Men!

I love the dialogues between Rachel & Martha and Rachel & Tony. It was really sweet of Rachel to reassure Martha and tell her every birth is different. I'm also sure Jack will react differently when it'll be his own wife giving birth to their baby. Rachel being by her side will make Martha feel even more comfortable.

Poor Rachel! Nobody at the hospital seems to agree with her when it comes to that man. It'll be their fault if something happens to that poor woman! I love how Tony is so supportive of her. I like her reaction when she was reading the text he had sent her.

More please.

[HighwayUnicorn]

Oh my gosh. I can't believe that I haven't read this update yet.

It's amazing. Oh dear at Jack though, although it was quite funny.

I loved that update & the preview seems amazing too.

Well done & I look forward to more.

Love Carina xxx

[Sabrina]

Fantastic update!

Jack's reaction to the birthing video was funny.

I loved how Rachel reassured Martha and Tony reassured Rachel.

Looking forward to the next chapter. The preview sounds great.