Continuation to previous Ecladow Chapter, second part! This is a sequel chapter to both Ecladow: Bad Intentions and Ecladow: Won't You Help Me Make More?

Shadow's POV:

I finish the last of the dishes, packing everything away as it was before we arrived in this cabin. Eclipse is corralling the Dark Arms and the kiddos outside, giving me a chance to erase our presence these past few weeks.

Washing the bed linens was a bit of a pain, forcing me to haul river water and heat it using Chaos Fire, but I wasn't about to leave that evidence behind.

I close the last cabinet, nodding with satisfaction at my work. Turning around, I stride into the hall and lock the door, teleporting outside.

"Ready?" Eclipse smiles tentatively at me, standing up from where he was crouching, playing with Cepheid and Cregal.

"Ready," I confirm, and he walks over, gently pulling me to him.

"You're sure about this?" He asks, golden eyes searching my crimson ones somewhat nervously, and I raise a reassuring hand to his cheek.

"Yes, I'm sure. Relax," I murmur, brushing his lips with mine. He connects back in an affectionate kiss, and I enjoy these last few moments of peace. I know we're going to be busy for a long while once we leave.

Appropriately, Sirius' squeak of curiosity breaks us apart, and I take my mate's hands.

"For them, right?" I remind him, knowing the appeal is the best one.

"Right," he sighs, and I reach into my quills for the Chaos Emerald I found this week after a sizeable time searching--it's the damn fourth one, and it's never gotten easier to find. "Little ones, watch the littler ones, understand?"

Rhygenta chimes in reply, Blurk nudging Sirius to cheer the tot up behind his magenta brother.

"Good," my mate says with some amusement, and he takes my hand. "Alright, Shadow. Lead the way."

"Gladly," I smirk, then call on the power of the Chaos Emerald. "Chaos Control!" Eclipse and I warp through space, heading straight for Commander Tower's office.

We appear with a loud flash, and I immediately, switch my friendly hand clasp to a more custodial arm grip, so as not to alarm the Commander into thinking I've changed allegiances.

"Good morning, Commander," I greet, and the aged man stands up at his desk in shock, hand automatically reaching for his holster as his mismatched eyes move to Eclipse. "I'm back, and I brought a demoralized ex-enemy."

"I--I see that," Tower says, recovering remarkably quickly from his alarm as Eclipse mentally deadpans that he doesn't think I'm being funny.

"Eclipse wanted to make a truce," I state by way of explanation, turning to my mate. "Isn't that right?"

"Yes," he sighs, looking appropriately defeated. "...not that I had much choice in the matter."

"Right," I continue, and Commander Tower sits back down, clasping his hands in front of him. "If you could call Rouge, I think we can get on that." I turn to my mate while Tower types a brief message on his computer, glaring at Eclipse's sulking face. "You don't get to complain about not having a choice," I grumble in an undertone, and he has the decency to flush.

"I thought you weren't mad about that anymore," he says, sounding both worried and slightly hurt.

"I'm less mad, but you're not in the clear yet," I respond, and he swallows. The motion catches my eye, and I smirk as I recall the recent times I've marked that neck.

"Will I ever be?" He questions, looking me in the eye. I notice we've drawn a little close; I pull back, not wanting Tower to pick up on our relationship before our negotiations.

"Maybe," I reply, crossing my arms with a slight scowl. Mentally, I add the part I can't out loud.

When you suffer through becoming a mother, then I might let it go, I huff, and he sighs. Before he can answer, though, Tower shifts at his desk and regains my attention.

"She's on her way. What are your terms?"

"Eclipse wants his record cleared, full amnesty, including citizenship. In return, he'll grant his abilities to G.U.N. and become an agent," I begin, and Tower's eyes narrow as he thinks.

"Granted," he eventually agrees, sitting back. "Anything else?"

"In addition to Eclipse's pardon, G.U.N. won't experiment on the Dark Arms or Eclipse's offspring," I continue, and Tower frowns.

"I wasn't aware the Dark Arms were Eclipse's offspring," he says slowly, and I blink, not commenting. "Those terms are also acceptable. Basic procedures, though--"

"As long as they're not invasive," I nod, confirming his objection. Beside me, Eclipse's eyes glance between the Commander and I. I can tell my mate is tense at being here, but he's holding together well.

"If that's all, then I agree," Tower says, extending his hand, and I step forward, shaking it. "I have some basic paperwork if you'd like to fill it out now--"

The door opens, Rouge arriving with flutter of her leathery wings. She scans the office to see me taking the papers from Tower and Eclipse crouched in an automatic defensive position.

"Huh, looks like I missed the fun," she comments, blinking with surprise. "Handsome, good to see you again."

"And likewise," I smirk, giving the papers to Eclipse, who's standing normally again but who looks rather bewildered, and move to greet my friend.

"You look healthy," she notes, obviously searching for any damage caused by the darkling behind me. "Something going on?"

"Yep," I reply, and I tell her the same terms I told Tower, explaining how Eclipse is seeking to make amends with G.U.N. My best friend is a bit taken aback, but, to her credit, she seems to be giving the idea a chance. I know she isn't fond of Eclipse, having gained a dislocated shoulder and a lot of grief the last time they interacted, so it means a lot to me that she's being fair with my mate.

She is giving me a knowing smile, though, so maybe she's guessed Eclipse and I aren't merely bitter rivals anymore. I almost ask her what she thinks of us, but I don't want to ruin the surprise if she hasn't figured it out yet. Instead, I turn back to my mate, who hasn't yet made it past the first page of the Special Agent contract.

"Oh, for Chaos' sake, I taught you the alphabet," I grumble as I stride back over, taking the stack from his hands and reading it for him.

"That's not the same thing as being taught how to read," Eclipse replies, disgruntled.

"You're smart, you can figure it out," I respond, then give my attention to Tower. "Everything seems to be in order." The Commander acknowledges my words, nodding.

"Okay, so what, then?" Eclipse asks, looking exasperated.

"You sign it," I tell him, handing him a pen. He struggles to grasp it with his two oversized fingers and thumb, and I sigh. "You do remember how to do that, right?"

"Yes, yes, you showed me," he grumbles, carefully scratching the pen over the paper with his left hand. "There."

"Well, then," Tower says, taking the papers back. "Welcome to G.U.N., Eclipse. We'll take care of the other paperwork."

"Thanks," my mate mutters, still sore that he can't actually read what he's being shown. I warned him how useful the skill was; maybe he'll pay more attention next time I try to teach him. Speaking of teaching, I nudge him, and he glances at me in confusion. I clear my throat in an obvious prompt--he rolls his eyes. "Sir."

Commander Tower nods in acknowledgement again, seeming about to tell Eclipse and I our next step, and I see my chance.

"One quick question," I say, and Tower raises an eyebrow. I think both he and Rouge have suspicions about what's coming, but I doubt they've entirely bought in to the idea yet. Smiling innocently, I look at them and ask, "Does G.U.N. have a daycare?"

"You didn't," Rouge exclaims, equally scandalized and gleeful, and Tower raises a hand to cover his eyes in an 'oh no' gesture.

"I did," I reply, and I swear even Tower groans in dismay. "Do you mind picking them up?" I inquire of Eclipse, and he sighs. He teleports using the Chaos Emerald, leaving the room silent for a very awkward thirty seconds, then returns.

I nearly laugh at the sight.

Sirius is draped, well-behaved, on his shoulder, but Cepheid is hanging off his tail, and Nova is wriggling in his grip. While I know the triplets make Eclipse enormously happy in general, right now, his face is conveying nothing but 'help me.'

"Right," I say cheerfully, taking some delight in seeing my mate having to operate on my turf for once, showing himself as a parent to my friend and Commander. "The gray one with red eyes is Sirius, Cepheid has Eclipse's eyes and my stripes, and Nova is the dark brown with entirely yellow eyes."

"Cepheid?" Tower questions, appearing to know the term. "Why--?"

"Sometimes, he's well-behaved. Sometimes, he's a pain in the butt. He fluctuates, like a cepheid variable star," I answer, and he gives me an odd look. "Space names. It was our compromise, so they weren't named something like 'Destruction.'"

"...I see." Commander Tower's face expresses how far he is out of his comfort zone, showing a bewildered expression that nearly slips into concerned. It almost amuses me to see.

"Shadow's responsible for all three, actually," Eclipse mentions, struggling to catch Cepheid without squishing him. "I just approved things." Handing me Nova, he scoops up our rogue middle child with his foot talons, holding the ferociously wriggling tot with careful dexterity.

"He really is your mini-me," I chuckle, watching as Cepheid whines and complains at having been caught, hissing and lashing his tiny tail as he squirms.

"And why's that?" Eclipse sighs, trying to calm the frustrated baby.

"He'll behave perfectly well once he learns who's in charge around here," I smirk, a pretty strong innuendo to drop in front of the Commander but well worth it to see Eclipse's face flush a furious shade of green. It is a bit of a strategic move, too, though; if I can enforce to Tower that I've got a handle on Eclipse, he'll be more likely to trust my previously evil mate.

"Oookay, there's no way this is a recent arrangement," Rouge laughs, cackling at the suggestiveness and saving a grateful Tower from having to respond to my shameless flirting. "How long have you two been together? Spill," she orders playfully, and I feel a slight blush tinge my own cheeks as I know the Commander's not gonna like this one.

"Four and a half months," Eclipse answers without hesitation, and Tower's face disappears behind an exasperated hand.

"Shadow--" He begins, and I nod sheepishly.

"I know. I broke my parole. It wasn't planned. But, I wasn't going to let Eclipse's offer to join G.U.N. pass," I say, leaving out the part where it wasn't exactly my choice--the jerk.

"I don't know whether I should reprimand you for this," he sighs, mismatched eyes looking at me. "Yes, Eclipse is a valuable ally, and I'm glad to hire him. But, there was an understanding that wouldn't use your powers."

"To be fair," my mate interjects with some hesitation, and I look at him in surprise. "I was quite...persistent. It's more my fault than Shadow's that he broke parole."

"Why did I have a feeling," Tower mutters, and Eclipse and I exchange an embarrassed glance, feeling like chastised kids ourselves. "I'll address this later, when I've thought about the matter more. In the meantime, these are your children?"

"Yes," we answer in unison, and Eclipse switches Cepheid to one hand, offering Sirius to the Commander with the other. A small gesture, but I know it has momentous ground; Eclipse would protect these children with his life, so to let a human hold one takes enormous trust.

Even Tower looks a little taken aback, unsure what to do. But, like Rouge and I, he recognizes the offer for what it truly is--Eclipse giving this a real chance. The world-weary man reaches out a careful hand, cradling Sirius with an equal mixture of apprehension and wonder. Meanwhile, I can feel Eclipse soothing Sirius through the hivemind, reassuring him that this human is friendly, ensuring the encounter goes well.

Sirius seems quite interested in the Commander, glowing red eyes curiously looking over him. I suppose it makes sense that he's fascinated. The babies have never seen humans before, and Abraham Tower would be an odd sight among any species with his blue left eye and his brown right eye.

"Man," Sirius exclaims happily, giggling in a high pitched, baby chortle. Eclipse and I exchange a wide-eyed look, but our eldest is already elaborating. "Mander."

"Oh, Commander," I realize, smiling proudly at his apparent intelligence. "Good job, Sirius."

"Two weeks old and talking," Eclipse says somewhat numbly, coming to his own, separate conclusion, likely that he'll never sleep again for all the noise.

"Are you going to start talking, too?" I ask Nova teasingly, and he babbles incoherently with much excitement. It seems the two younger babies have identified the source of my happiness and are trying to accomplish it themselves, even Cepheid paying his full attention.

"Wait, that reminds me--which one of you is the dad here?" Rouge suddenly asks, having walked over to get a better view of the Commander holding a still-giggling Sirius. I turn to her, telling myself there's nothing to be embarrassed about.

"Well, this time it was Eclipse, but I have dibs next time," I reply, and Tower looks up from the baby in his hands with sudden interest.

"Then, you broke parole to carry children even though your mate was equally capable of accomplishing the task?" He questions dryly, and I blink as I realize he's got a valid point there.

"Still mostly my fault," Eclipse says sheepishly, having the decency to look embarrassed. "I wouldn't have been been very, erhm, receptive to that."

"Of course, as mentioned, I fixed that later," I smirk, and Rouge's lips press together as she withholds another laugh. "As for titles, I'm planning on being 'Dad.' Eclipse is 'Father.'"

"Hey, if it works," Rouge grins, apparently starting to become more comfortable with our relationship. "Two weeks old, you said?"

"Yep. They hatched fourteen days ago to the day," I reply, proud.

"Hatched...?" I look over, but Tower's already waving away the question. "Nevermind. I'll learn later. For now, I'd like to stop this little one from attempting to eat my hand."

"Sirius!" I exclaim, seeing that our eldest is indeep nomming on my Commander's thumb with his tiny baby teeth. "No!" The little baby stops, looking up at me confusedly with his large red eyes, not understanding what's wrong. I impress on him sternly with a thought that we do not eat people, then turn to my awkwardly watching mate. "Great going. You let them chew on you all the time, and, now, they think it's normal!"

"It's not my fault he has instin--wait, what?" Eclipse stares at me, equally baffled to our misbehaving baby. I gently take Sirius from the Commander, relieving him of any more enthusiastic teething, and glare at my mate, who was apparently expecting a different argument.

"They know not to eat people because we taught them that, what they don't know is not to bite people," I say, and my partner raises his two-fingered hands in concedement.

"Alright, alright. That I can fix," he replies, looking relieved.

"Yeah, and you better," I grumble, letting Sirius curiously sniff Rouge's hand. "Hey, little tyke, want to say 'hi' to Rouge?"

"Roo," he giggles, wriggling mightily. He's trying to climb out of my hands, apparently wanting to be held by this new person, too. I reluctantly offer him, worrying he'll gnaw on Rouge, too.

"It's alright, handsome, I won't let him nibble," my partner titters, and I concede, setting the baby in her waiting hands. "He's so tiny, I gotta say. But, he really looks too big for a two-week-old. How big were they when they hatched?"

"About half that size, actually," I reply, interesting both of my military associates. "They've been growing incredibly quickly."

"They'll probably be fully grown in anywhere between three and five years," Eclipse adds, looking frustrated by Cepheid's resumed attempts at escape. "Here, you show him who's in charge, Dad."

"Thanks," I reply, amused as I switch Nova for Cepheid. I hold the misbehaving baby up to my face and narrow my eyes in a low-level glare, letting my displeasure seep through the hivemind. Cepheid looks at me, but he's still clawing at me with his tiny hands, wanting to be free, and I increase my glare.

For several seconds, the troublesome child stares back, then he drops his gaze and squeaks, going limp.

"Good choice, kiddo," I say, halfway between praising and scolding. I look up from the chastised baby to see my mate looking scandalized.

"How?!" He exclaims, thoroughly ruffled by my immediate success.

"I'm technically his mother. He knows not to mess with me," I reply, watching smugly as his eye twitches.

"That's. Not. Fair," he responds, looking both incredibly frustrated and helpless.

"Believe me, I wouldn't have complained if you wanted to be the mother instead," I smirk, and he sighs, looking defeated as Nova begins wriggling in his grip, too.

"Yeah, yeah... Noted."

...

About an hour later, I take a well-deserved break from my idiosyncratic family, who I just helped settle in to one of G.U.N.'s high officer quarters. Commander Tower was surprisingly gracious, offering the multi-roomed quarters so we don't have to share a bedroom with the tots. I appreciate the gesture, even though I'm reasonably sure he's simply trying to win Eclipse's favor. Having another powerful Chaos Creature and three rising probable-agents is certainly going to be towards G.U.N.'s benefit, after all.

Beside me, my best friend has been strutting in silence, giving me a few wonderful moments of silence. But, eventually, her never-ending thirst for details breaks her resolve, and she turns to me with a grin.

"So, hun, going to give me the down and dirty about your new boytoy?" She questions suggestively, and I consider it quite an accomplishment when I suppress my blush. "You two seemed so close, I really want to know."

"Er, yeah," I reply awkwardly, unsure how to talk to my best friend about Eclipse. Not discouraged by my response, she jumps into the air, floating as we enter the break room and giving me an unabashed grin.

"Look, handsome, we've got it all to ourselves. Now you can tell me everything," she declares gleefully in a low timbre, touching down on the couch and patting the spot next to her.

"Uh, Rouge, I'm not really much for sitting right now," I say embarrassedly, and her eyes light up.

"Do tell!" She exclaims, looking far too happy to hear that.

"Eclipse got some payback last night," I mumble, gingerly lowering myself onto the cushions and wincing as my tailbone pangs ferociously. "I gave him a heck of a time a few days ago, and he wanted revenge."

"Are you guys usually angry when you tango?" She asks, amused, and I shrug.

"Not always, but the new dynamic started the day the kids hatched. Now that there's a question of who's on top, it's a bit of a competition."

"Sounds fiery," she observes, smiling. "Ah, hun, it's good to see you happy. I wouldn't have guessed it would be Eclipse, but I've always wanted to see you with someone."

"Really?" I ask curiously, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah," she says, looking genuine. "I was really hoping you'd find something new while you were off on parole, so I'm happy. A new, smokin' hot alien boyfriend, and a litter of triplets! I know you're going to be a great parent."

"You think so?" I smile slightly, touched as I lean on my knees, and she playfully knocks my shoulder.

"Of course. It's in your design, isn't it? Taking care of kids?" In response to my thoughtful silence at that, she pokes my forehead. "Besides, I get to be an aunt! All the fun of kids, without any of the fuss!"

"Oh, so you think you're getting out of babysitting duty?" I question, smirking, and she laughs.

"Hey, G.U.N. has the daycare, not me. But, handsome, I really am happy for you..."

"Thanks, Rouge," I say sincerely, and she winks.

To my dismay, a somewhat frantic thought from Eclipse tells me that he's having trouble keeping the kiddos in control in the new room, as they're eager to explore and teethe on everything.

"Looks like I have to go," I sigh, standing up, and Rouge gives me a sympathetic look. "Talk later?"

"Of course, hun. Good luck," she smiles, and I roll my eyes in agreement.

"I'll need it." I turn to head out the door, and Rouge makes an 'ahem' sound from behind me. Raising an eye ridge, I look back at her.

"One more thing, handsome?" I nod, and she continues, smirking evilly. "Tear him up tonight, you hear?"

"Oh, I will," I laugh, lifting my hand in farewell. "I haven't finished getting my payback yet..."

Author's Note: I liked writing this one a lot! For those of you wondering why it took a little longer than expected, I've been working majorly on the coming chapters of Brothers in Arms! Getting in the mood to write Shadow and Eclipse can be a little confusing while writing more than one story with them. xD Other one-shots are coming, so feel free to add a request if you so desire, and leave a quick comment telling me if you enjoyed. Thank you for reading, I appreciate it!