"Not important," I say, grimacing. It's not. Whatever pain I'm experiencing is secondary to the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not Ellen is really carrying our child. "We need a pregnancy test for her and a blood test for me."

The thought only occurs to me in the moment. I've never had a real checkup since I first arrived two years ago, and while I know my powers aren't active, I have no idea if there aren't any residual effects to the radiation that first granted me my abilities. I assumed no, but given the circumstances, it seems better to be safe than sorry.

"Langkowski, right?" It's a process of elimination. There aren't many women who work here, and she's the only Canadian on staff. "You've done work with radiation?"