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(( eek Marco kidnapped Ren?))

Anna frowns. "Let me see," she says, snatching the note. "Geesh.... I hate to admit it, but I can't read a thing. It's just a bunch of chicken scratches.... since it's Horo's native language, maybe he can decipher it," she jabs dryly, handing him the note.

Faust nods. "She's right, you know. Be a good man, and hand that to me." Hesitantly, the man gives Faust the pistol. Faust expertly removes the bullets, pocketing them. He then hurls the gun into the woods as hard as he can.

In response to the husband's horrified expression, Faust explains calmly, "I have this THING about guns. They kill people. I don't like them." Getting down on his knees again, he continues to instruct Mariko on her breathing. "Hey, Shizuka? We'll need some towels, but I don't think we packed any. Could you please grab my blanket from the car?"

Faust blinks. "Wow, we did pack towels... how considerate of someone. I know I didn't."

"I don't know anything about child birth," the husband whimpers as Mariko shrieks in agony.

Faust sighs. "It's complicated. Especially considering that we're looking at a breach birth."

"What?!" the man asks. He looks like he wishes he had his gun back. "Wh-what's that?"

"A complication that occurs when the rotation of the fetus is not complete. Typically, a fetus should be born head-first, but I see a pair of feet."

"I thought it was supposed to be feet-first!" wails the husband.

Faust shakes his head. "No. The umbilical could be wrapped around the fetus's neck, or the....er.... passage.... might not dilate enough to allow the head to fit. It's the widest part of a fetus," explains Faust.

"What can you do?" asks the man pleadingly.

"Attempt to deliver the fetus as normal," says Faust, but his eyes are dull and hopeless. "If the conditions were favorable... if I had equipment, and sterilization, and an operatory... I'd perform a cesarian section right away. But this... Shizuka? Get me something, please. I don't care if it's the pill bottle in the front seat, or in back, or anywhere.... I can't do this without some help." He stresses the word "help," wringing his shaking hands.

Faust's eyes widen. "It might.... but I could bleed on her... very unsanitary...."

Manta appears, averting his eyes from the prone form of Mariko. "Here. The pills from the front seat... don't take a ridiculous amount, please.... Shizuka didn't mean the knife for you, Faust."

"Oh," Faust says, looking embarassed. "Well, technically, cutting releases euphoria-inducing chemicals called endorphins... but I like this way better. Thanks." He swallows two pills, taking deep breaths and pressing his palms together.

"What are you doing?" the husband asks, outraged. "She's in pain, possibly in terrible danger, and you're taking drugs and praying?!"

"My hands are shaking!" snaps Faust. "I can't operate with shaking hands. Wait a few minutes, will you? I know what I'm doing!"

Faust glances at Mariko. "Don't lose faith in me, now," he says, sighing. Turning to the husband, he explains, "her chances are about 50/50. Some breach births come out OK. Are you religious?"

"Yes," the man replies. "Extremely."

"Then pray," says Faust harshly. "Because we'll all need it. Here goes...." Placing one hand on the woman's stomach, he says, "Push. Shizuka, keep her calm.... we're looking good... one more time, Mariko, you're doing great! Breathe... breathe...." grasping the ankles of the infant, he pulls it into the world.

Faust pants, slightly out of breath. "You have a son," he says, wrapping the baby in a towel and handing him to Shizuka.

Mariko, sweaty and exhausted, takes the baby in her arms. "A son? This is wonderful! Thankyou!" she says to Shizuka. It seems that relief has quashed her anger.

"Don't stress yourself, dear," the husband says, reaching out and also placing his hands on the boy.

Faust rises. "There's an inn about twenty miles down the road. Funbari Onsen. They'll take care of you there."

"Doctor?" the husband asks. "Thank you, this is amazing! Being a father.... he's so perfect! Would you like to hold him?"

"No!" Faust says forcefully; Mariko flinches. Recovering, Faust quickly says, "No, it's all right... I know that you'd like to spend as much time with your child as possible."

"I haven't thought of a name," Mariko says suddenly. "I thought I'd have a little girl."

"What's your name, doctor?" the husband asks suddenly.

Faust pales, and laughs nervously. "Um... it's not important, really..."

"Sir, we don't have a boy's name chosen! What's your name?"

"Faust."

"Your first name?"

Faust swallows. "Johann."

"Johann Takumi! I like it!" the husband proclaims.