_______________________________________________

"Are you okay?" Adam asked Amy as he eyed her with concern.  The redhead had devoured an unbelievable amount of food, especially considering the fact that the meal they'd just consumed had only been breakfast.

"Actually, I'm feeling a tiny bit nausous," she admitted as she looked up into his eyes sheepishly.  "I've been experiencing morning sickness lately."

"Ah...gotcha."  The tall blond man put an arm around her waist as they continued down the hall on their way back to Amy's hotel room.

"That was nice..." Adam said as they stepped into the room.  The redhead dropped her keycard on the desk near the door, then went to sit on the edge of the bed as she removed her shoes.

"What was?"

"Breakfast with Chris and Stephanie...I've never really thought of either of them as friends, but I'm changing my mind about that now."  He smiled knowingly.  "And I don't know about you, but they seem to have taken a real liking to each other all of a sudden."

"Oh, I know!" the redhead exclaimed enthusiastically as she beamed at him.  "They're just so...cute!"  She giggled as she thought about how sweet her half-brother had been acting toward Stephanie.  "I think Chris really likes her," she said.

"I'd bet on it," the tall blond man agreed.  He'd noticed also how the brunette woman had stumbled on her speech a bit - as though suddenly having feelings for Benoit had rendered her silly.

Amy's grin increased as an idea began to take shape in her mind.  Then, looking up and meeting the Canadian's eyes, she said, "How would you like to team up and play matchmakers?"

Adam chuckled.  "Actually, I don't think we'll even have to go that far.  I think they're already halfway there."

She nodded.  "Yeah, I guess you're right."  And then, the diva's smile faded as the sickening feeling she'd been having suddenly worsened.

"Amy?  Are you okay?" Adam asked with a bit of alarm.  Her face had gone pasty white, and even as he spoke, she began to look a little...well, green.

Amy shook her head and bolted up from the bed, rushing to the bathroom just in time.  She lifted the toilet seat, bent over and instantly began to retch.

The blond man had followed her in, and she felt his gentle, soothing hand on her back as she expelled the contents of her stomach.

"Oh, Ames..." Adam gently patted her on the back, holding her long hair as well as he tried his best to soothe her.

It continued for another moment or so, and then she rinsed out her mouth in the sink.  Adam realized that the redhead appeared to be a bit embarrassed as she dried her face with a towel stationed on the rack.  She could barely look him in the face.  As she stepped out of the lavatory, he followed.

"I-I'm sorry you had to witness that."  She sat back in the plush armchair a few feet from the bed.

The Canadian instantly went to her, pulling up the desk chair to sit directly before her.

"Sweetheart, you have nothing to be embarrassed about," he said softly, his green eyes gentle as they gazed upon her, and a tiny smile touched his lips.  "What you're experiencing is normal...and I don't know much about this stuff, but...I think I've heard that women in the early stages of pregnancy - when they're having morning sickness like you are - should snack on things like crackers."

Amy pouted in disappointment, then wrinkled her nose with distaste.  "Oh, wow...yum."  Then, sighing, she said, "I guess that means no more blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast - and I'd better quit while I'm ahead before I hurl again."

The blond man chuckled softly, wanting nothing more than to put his arms around her and give her a great big hear hug.  This woman was so precious, so adorable.  She positively made his heart melt.

He reached over for her hand, and Amy grabbed his, a soft smile coming to her face.  She felt a rush of tenderness, and for the umpteenth time, she wished they were an actual couple.