Episode 37 Obsession (part 3/3) (Patreon)

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

The sudden request for a meeting with the director and producers of Rogue One caught her off guard. They were even willing to meet with her at her home, but she was reluctant to show that side of her life and decided to have a meeting in a nearby hotel, about a 30-minute drive from her home, with traffic in mind.

She realized there was an event going on when she arrived when she noticed the nearly full parking lot only lucky got that she was lucky to park so quickly. She was confused, as far as she knew, they were still in the pre-production stage, and by what her agent told her, filming with the actors would start in January, still a few weeks away. Did they change their mind? She was suddenly worried. Star Wars was big, and a successful film would catapult her career to higher levels. This was her lucky break.  

The director, Gareth Edwards, had asked her for a meeting with the writers. She checked her watch and smiled. Good, she was five minutes early.

“Mary!” Edwards waved her over as soon as she entered the restaurant.

She put on a smile and waved back, and as soon as she sat down, she was introduced to the other three men at the table. They were unfamiliar faces, and she felt a tightening in her gut. This didn’t bode well. A change in the writers just a few weeks before shooting was a bad sign from her experience. Where was Gary, the original writer?

As soon as they gave their orders to a waiter, Edwards dove right into the purpose of their meeting.

“I’m sorry for calling you at the last minute, but my schedule is very tight.” Edwards gave her a weak smile.

She spotted his heavy eye bags and pale skin and knew that the man was under a lot of pressure. She could understand him feeling this way. This was Star Wars after all, and she knew a lot of expectations were on his shoulders.

“It’s no trouble.” She replied. “What’s this all about?”

“We’ve made some changes to the script,” Edwards answered. “Substantial changes.”

“And it’s all largely thanks to the handwritten notes I’ve read on the script you accidentally left behind at the last table reading.”  Edwards continued.

“I forgot about that.” She admitted. “Is something wrong?”

“No, in fact it’s the opposite.” The man who introduced himself as Tony spoke up. “It solved a lot of the problems we were having with the screenplay. I didn’t realize you knew so much about Star Wars lore.”

“I’m not.” She admitted. “A member of my… team gave me feedback about the script when I rehearsed my lines, and he pointed out some inconsistencies. I wrote notes regarding some parts that I intended to ask Gareth for clarification, but I forgot the script when I left the table read.”

“I see.” Edwards nodded in understanding. “The last part of the note suggested the entire team should die?”

"It's a strange request for an actress," Tony added. "Normally, they would want to be part of a film's sequel if it's successful, and this is Star Wars."

“It provides for a greater impact.” She replied. Jack wanted to emphasize the sacrifice it took to obtain the plans for the Death Star, and the sacrifice of the Rogue One crew would emphasize that. She agreed with her friend's sentiments, and besides, she didn't want to be chained to a trilogy and contractually obligated to prioritize their schedule. What happens if a good role appears in another film? “You said it’s a war film at its heart. I'm focused on that.”

“I did say that,” Edwards replied with a grin.

“And your notes indicated you’re not a fan of the love story plot between Jyn and Cassian?” Tony asked.

“There should be hints of it, not an entire love story plot.” She answered. “It will only detract from their overall objective if we focus too much on their relationship.”

“And a what could have been between Cassian and your character Jyn would give the audience a bittersweet feeling, perfect for the tone of a war film.” Tony clapped his hands once. “That’s perfect!”

“I’d love to talk to your team member,” Edwards replied. “Bring him on set when we start filming.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” She replied. “He has a very busy schedule.”

“Oh?” Tony looked intrigued. “Is he working on another script for one of your future projects?”

How could she explain that her handwritten notes were thanks to Jack's rambling about Star Wars lore and explaining about different independent rebel cells, and how they slowly unified into a potent threat to the Empire? She looked around and was surprised to see the man she was thinking about was right outside, standing in the expansive lawn, while he was talking to a man in cuffs, with more men surrounding the area.

“Must be a paparazzi.” Edwards must have followed her gaze. “I heard that the hotel is the venue for the Miss California 2018 pageant.”

Any further talk on the table stopped when they watched as the man in cuffs suddenly bolted away after knocking down the agents that were escorting him by slamming his shoulder into one of his guards while he kicked the other guard’s leg, causing him to trip and crash into the lawn.

There was a shout from a pretty woman with a sash on her chest standing beside Jack, and she watched with wide eyes as her friend picked up a football and hurled it a good distance, hitting the man in cuffs at the back of his head and causing him to fall on the ground.

“Did you see that?” Tony looked shocked.

“Yeah. What an arm!” She heard Edwards reply. He sounded giddy with excitement.

She shouldn’t be surprised after seeing the range of skills Jack showed when they were on the island for that reality show. She settled instead for a smile and shook her head in disbelief.

“Actually, that’s the man responsible for my notes.” She wanted to call Jack, but her friend suddenly sprinted in the opposite direction, probably responding to another emergency.

“Why don’t you call him in?” Edwards looked eager, his eyes still trained on the man in cuffs as he was restrained by the guards.

“I can’t.” She replied. “He’s probably responding to another issue. He’s a police officer.”

“No way!”

“Who is he?” Edwards asked.

She turned to them and smiled, enjoying the shocked expression on their faces.

“His name is Jack Routh.”                                           

 It was nice to be on the other side for once.

Zoe Andersen Routh

She denied Grey’s proposal for quotas. That didn’t sit well with her, and she believed a proper accounting and utilization of their resources was enough. Creating quotas for traffic stops and arrests would make for a dangerous precedent, and she didn’t want that road for her division just to supplement their budget.

Besides, she was sure there were easier ways to raise funds for her division. Central allocated a yearly budget for each station, and it was up to each CO to supplement that. She knew many stations implemented a quota system, and ever since she took up her post in Mid-Wilshire, she was resistant to the idea and instead relied on fundraiser activities.

“You okay, Captain?” Grey asked as she massaged her temples. She ate a hearty breakfast this morning, but her stomach felt bloated, and she could feel a growing headache.

“Yeah.” She replied. “Breakfast didn’t agree with me.”

“Do you need to take a break?” Grey asked.

“I just need a drink of water.” She replied as she tried to rise up from her chair.

“No need.” Detective Vestri motioned for her to remain seated and quickly fetched a pitcher of water and a glass.

“Thanks.” She reached out for the glass, but she scrunched up her nose when she caught a scent of Vestri’s cologne.

It was too strong, and it was making her nauseous. Who was Vestri trying to impress with that pungent scent?  Instead of drinking, she quickly stood up and walked out of the conference room.

“Let’s take five.” She called out and headed through the bullpen. She needed fresh air, but her stomach had other plans.

She walked past the officers making reports and didn’t bother to return greetings as she hurried to the nearest bathroom. Her head was dizzy, and it felt like what she ate that morning didn’t agree with her. She reached the bathroom just in time and heaved the contents of her breakfast into the bowl.

She felt a painful sensation in her chest as vomit rushed up. It was nasty, and she wondered why she was vomiting right now. The urge came again, and she heaved, and her body shook as she tried to expel the contents of her stomach. The smell was foul, but at least the dizzy sensation in her head lessened. She flushed the toilet immediately to get rid of the smell.

“Captain?” Harper. She felt a hand on her back and continued to lean over the toilet bowl, trying to see if she would vomit again.

“I’m… fine.” She gasped and slowly stood up.

“You don’t look fine.” Harper replied. “You’re sweaty and really pale.”

She headed to the sink to wash up, but suddenly her vision darkened. She heard yelling and shouting, and soon passed out.

She gained consciousness when she felt movement and opened her eyes, and looked around. It looked like she was inside an ambulance on a stretcher. A woman with an EMT uniform hovered over her and spotted Lopez sitting on the other side.

“What happened?” She asked. Thankfully, the dizziness was gone.

“You passed out.” The EMT replied. “We’re getting you checked up in the hospital, Captain.”

“Grey is taking care of everything.” Harper added. “You fainted in the bathroom, Cap. Good thing I was there to catch you before you hit the ground.”

Fainted? How embarrassing.

“It must be food poisoning.” She replied, feeling an unpleasant sensation in her mouth and throat.

“Drink.” The EMT gave her a bottle of water with a bendable straw attached. “That should wash out the stomach acids.”

“Thanks.” She took a sip and immediately felt the slight burning sensation in her throat vanish. “This is probably some form of food poisoning.”

“I’m not too sure.” Harper replied. “I have the exact same symptoms when I first got pregnant with Lila.”

Pregnant? That was impossible. She had long accepted the fact that she was incapable of being a mother. She was lucky that Jack was fine with her inability to give him a child.

“That seems to match up with what I’ve noticed.” The EMT replied. “Your blood pressure is normal and you don’t have a fever. Everything seems to check out, but we’ll have tests done to make sure.”

“You’ve been eating more in the break room.” Harper shared. “When was your last period?”

She tried to recall and realized she was late. Very late. She didn’t want to hope, but with what Harper said, she began to connect the dots.

Her increased appetite, aversion to food she previously liked. Her sensitive nose and sore nipples, and breasts for the past few weeks. The nausea and strange cravings. It all lined up. She felt her eyes tearing up. Still, she didn’t want to hope for that miracle and steeled her heart. She wanted definite proof first.

“Trust me.” She felt Harper give her hand a squeeze. “It’s a mother’s instincts.”

She was barely able to stop herself from breaking down and crying.

Thirty minutes later, and she stared at the pregnancy test kits. She asked the doctor to repeat the test again and the results were the same. She couldn’t believe it. Two lines. That meant she was pregnant. Life was growing in her womb.

“Congratulations.” The doctor told her. Her condition meant that her chances of getting pregnant were slim to none, yet here she was staring at the proof of her condition.

She blushed when the obstetrician-gynecologist asked her details about her sex life and how active she was. She was sure she saw a raised eyebrow when she revealed she practically had unprotected sex several times a day, every day, for nearly a year.

“That will certainly increase your chances.” The female doctor muttered when she informed the woman of the details. “Since you’re thirty-four, it’s on the threshold of a delicate pregnancy. We’ll have monthly check-ups, and increase that in your second and third terms.”

Right, she couldn’t take chances with the life growing inside her. She didn’t have a problem with the doctor’s suggestions.

Jack arrived in the waiting area just outside the emergency room, looking like he had come from a battle. His hair was sweaty, and he was breathing heavy. She watched the moment when her husband noticed her and watched as his shoulders sagged in relief.

“What happened?” Her husband asked as he reached her. She felt his arms on her shoulders, his eyes looking over her for any signs of injury.

“I passed out.” She smiled at Jack. “I’m pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” She giggled at her man’s surprised face. She watched his expression, seeing astonishment all over his face. "What? How?"

Jack must be really shocked, since her husband wasn't usually this tongue-tied.

"Well, remember what we keep doing every morning and evening?" She teased him.

"Well, of course I know that." Jack took a deep breath. "Honey, you're pregnant?"

“Pregnant.” She nodded, her smile wide and free. She laughed when Jack suddenly picked her up and spun her around.

“We’re going to have a baby!” Jack laughed.

They headed back to Mid-Wilshire, with pamphlets and a booklet for first-time mothers provided by the hospital tucked under her arm. Lopez beamed with delight when she learned of the news, since she was the one who picked them up while Jack followed behind them with his motorcycle.

She could immediately feel the change somehow as she ran a hand over her still flat abdomen. The doctor said she was about a month pregnant and gave her advice on what to eat and vitamins, and supplements to take.

The reactions from her officers were amusing. She could tell Grey was happy for her, but she could tell he wanted to say more to her in private. She received that once she was alone with him and Jack inside her office.

“There have to be changes now, Captain.” Grey looked serious. “That means, no more late hours for you, and please try to limit your activities.”

“And as the captain’s husband.” Grey turned to Jack. “You need to provide a relaxing environment with minimal stress for your wife. You always need to be there for her in her delicate condition.”

“Of course, Sergeant.” Jack nodded in agreement. Her husband still hadn’t let go of her hand ever since they entered the station.

“I’ve been thinking.” She spoke up before Grey could leave. “I think it’s time, don’t you think?”

“Time for what?” Grey asked.

“Your promotion to Lieutenant.” She replied, hiding her amusement when she saw Grey’s dumbfounded expression. “Since I’ll adjust my work hours, I need you to step up for me. Caradine is already busy with the cases, and you will take care of day to day operations.”

“And your new promotion entitles you to longer vacation times.” She added to sweeten the deal. She knew Grey avoided political maneuverings with the brass, but he needed to step up at some point.

“Deal.” Grey nodded immediately.

Her mind was busy with things they needed to do once they got home. She was still in disbelief about the whole thing, and she stared at the front of her house once he stepped out of her car. She looked at her Jack, who was standing beside her, and saw a rare moment of vulnerability in her husband’s face, with how nervous he looked.

“We’ll get through this.” She told him. “We’ll learn how to be parents.”

“We will.” Jack rand a hand through his hair, a habit she knew when he was agitated or unsure. “I’m just nervous. I don’t want to make mistakes.”

“We will make mistakes.” She leaned on his side. “But we will learn through them to avoid the really bad ones. There are plenty of resources to help first-time parents like us.”

“But first.” She stared at their home. “We need to make some changes.”

Is this what nesting feels like? She wondered. It was too early to tell. She needed to make their home baby-proof. Jack had all sorts of dangerous props and gadgets like that sword, and they had plenty of handguns hidden in their bedroom and a whole armory in their secret bunker.

They needed a nursery, and that meant they would need to convert the guest bedroom into one. She probably needed to buy a soccer mom car, probably a van. Pam and Reese would probably tease her for that, but she didn’t care. She would soon become a mom anyway.

She felt a hand grope her butt and looked up at Jack. He was staring at her with a naughty smile on his face.

“Want to celebrate?” He asked.

The doctor did say it was fine to have sex even if she was pregnant, and in fact, it was encouraged to have more even when a woman was weeks and even days from giving birth.

“Oh yeah.” She grinned. The doctor did say some women lose their sexual drive in their first term of pregnancy. She wanted to find out if that applied to her.