Disclaimer: I do not own Big Hero 6 and Big Hero 6: The Series.

The Penitent Sparrow

Chapter 7: A Good Man, A Good Kid

Overall, the dinner was a pleasant experience for them within the Hamada household. Aunt Cass took their dishes and washed them in the kitchen sink. She immediately refused any attempts by Abigail or Hiro to help her clean up. Suddenly, Baymax seemed to become disoriented and swayed back and forth. Noting that Baymax was nearing his low battery state, Hiro remembered that he had to make some adjustments to get Baymax running optimally. Among the kinks from the hasty repairs they made after their fight with Momokase was that his battery life was erratically shortened. His systems and programs seemed to be running inefficiently and expediting his battery drain. "Looks like it's time to get you to bed, buddy," the boy walked over, moving under Baymax's arm to support the comically disoriented robot.

"/Great idea! This time, I'll use your bed… and- you can stay on my charger tonight./" the healthcare companion fumbled, Hiro trying his best to keep him up on his shoulders to guide him.

Abigail laughed heartily, completely amused at seeing the robot act uncharacteristically expressive and disoriented. Of course, the boy was perhaps too young to experience alcohol or to be around anyone drunk, but Baymax seemed to be able to give him the classic college experience of helping a disoriented friend get to bed. "You need any help getting him up there?" she offered, seeing the young boy struggle to guide the battery-drained robot. "No, no… I got him, he's like this every now and then," Hiro laughed uneasily, trying to stop his healthcare companion from toppling over.

Baymax looked towards Abigail, "Hey-Hello, I am Baymax… your personal companion- of health… for care… On a scale from ten to one… how would rate your- chicken wings./"

Abigail chuckled, "That's going to have to be a ten." Baymax suddenly perked up, raising his hand up, "/You are correct!...Your prize is… Sorry, I ran out of lollipops./" The disoriented robot patted himself as if he was looking for the lollipop, his hands searching and ending up patting Hiro's face to his annoyance. "Ok, buddy. Let's keep it together. Time for you to go sleep now."

"/Okay, if you say so, Hiro… but I'm not even in bed yet./" the robot stammered, before he suddenly went completely deadweight and began to "snore." The young boy yelped at his sudden change in weight as the robot no longer supported himself. "No, not yet, Baymax!" He dragged the robot along, shortly looking back towards Abigail and Aunt Cass. Abigail was ready to help, but Hiro seemed adamant that he could take care of his friend himself. "Thanks for the… food, Aunt Cass! I'll… be back down Abigail, just going to charge Baymax and fix his… uhhh… issues," Hiro exclaimed as he attempted to catch his breath, dragging the tired Baymax with him.

Abigail laughed at the spectacle, another amusing characteristic she never expected of her rescuers. As the boy left to drag his robot companion upstairs, Abigail eyes trailed across the Hamada residence. Several pictures of their family were strewn throughout the walls. She quickly noticed a family photograph on the wall and quickly found her gaze locked on it. It was a picture of Aunt Cass with two younger-looking Hamada brothers. It was a heartwarming photograph, seeing them as a whole family. She looked at the photograph of young Tadashi. Suddenly, she experienced growing feelings of pain, sadness and guilt welled within her. She knew this would be a hard aspect of being around Hiro and Aunt Cass, in the home they all had once lived in together with Tadashi. She walked over, her hand hovering over the photograph.

"He always believed in Hiro, looked out for him. He would be so proud to see all that his brother has accomplished," Aunt Cass chimed in suddenly to Abigail's surprise, walking back in the dining area after cleaning the dishes. "Aunt Cass… I'm truly sorry for your loss," Abigail found it hard to find the right words, there was so much she wanted to apologize for but couldn't. Aunt Cass doesn't even know that she is the daughter of the man who inadvertently caused Tadashi's death, the very same man that wanted to mentor him.

"Thank you. It still… hurts. And I miss him, Hiro misses him. But I always want to be strong for Hiro. We've… he's been through a lot throughout his whole life. He was only three when their father and mother… my sister… passed away in a tragic accident. And now Tadashi is with them. He's all I have left," Aunt Cass confessed somberly, her tone distinctly softer and melancholic than her usual upbeat demeanor. As she spoke, Abigail noticed that Aunt Cass was fidgeting with her silver-turquoise necklace, a keepsake of her late sister and the boys' mother. It was something she would never be without.

"But Tadashi would be so proud of him. He always wanted Hiro to go to his school. And now Tadashi's friends are close to him. And Baymax… it's like Tadashi continues to watch over him, even now. I'm just happy to see my nephew continuing with his life like Tadashi would have wanted," Aunt Cass spoke warmly, almost trying to reassure Abigail that things would be okay.

But she recalled the deep depression Hiro fell into shortly after Tadashi's passing, even when she had a difficult time coping she tried to be upbeat and strong for Hiro. Especially when he had lost all interest in anything, let alone being able to take care of himself. Baymax changed all of that for the better.

"He was a kind and bright young man, I could tell that he wanted to change the world and help people with his inventions, it's certainly why he never gave up working on Baymax," Abigail chimed in, Aunt Cass looked to her in surprise as she realized she was referring to Tadashi. "Did you know him, personally?" Aunt Cass wondered, a small smile on her face.

"Yes, I met him a several times when he was just starting to attend SFIT. I was visiting… an old professor of mine. My professor introduced me to him, he spoke highly of Tadashi and what he was already accomplishing. He was a good young man, it was easy to get along with him. Although, I wish I had seen him more often," Abigail explained, being wary of mentioning her father.

But Aunt Cass was pleasantly surprised at this and touched to hear about her late nephew, "Ever since he was a young boy, he was always very kindhearted and wanted to help people. Helping raise Hiro and looking after him, it really nurtured a caring and protective side of him. I am glad that you got to know him personally, he had a way of touching people's lives whether he knew it or not." The two women smiled warmly to each other in their candid moment. Suddenly, Abigail looked at their clock, "Well, unfortunately it is getting late and I should get going. But, truly, thank you for all of your hospitality, Aunt Cass. For both lunch and dinner, I hope you'll allow me to return the favor one day."

"It was my pleasure, Abigail. Any friend of Hiro's and Tadashi's is welcome in this home. But, where will you be staying while you are back in San Fransokyo? Do you still have a place here?" Aunt Cass inquired. "Not anymore, not for quite awhile actually. I was going to get a hotel-" Abigail responded but quickly cut off by the sudden excited expression of Aunt Cass. "Nonsense, you can stay here! You'd have to get a ride and then check in, that's too much of a hassle. I mean it, you are welcome in this home. If you are okay with sleeping on a couch of course, but please, I insist!" Aunt Cass offered with her usual enthusiasm and the implication that Abigail had no choice but to accept the offer.

Abigail was taken aback by the sudden offer, but just like the café brunch and home dinner, there was no way she could decline Aunt Cass' welcoming invitations. "Well, I don't think you would accept any other answer but 'yes.' If you must insist, I would love to stay over if that's okay with Hiro too?" Abigail conceded, but wanted to make sure she was not overstepping or being intrusive.

"Well, it's my house so if he isn't, then that's a bummer for him. You are my honored guest," Aunt Cass mused with certainty that Abigail was welcome to stay. "Thank you, Aunt Cass. I really appreciate everything you have done for me. I'll still run it by him though," Abigail admitted shyly with a laugh. "Well, suit yourself. But you're staying here regardless. Ask him for some blankets too while you're at it, he has no say in this. I understand you don't have everything so I'll leave you some of my clothes you can borrow," Aunt Cass quipped playfully as she walked towards her bedroom door.

Mochi quietly walked towards Abigail and cuddled along her leg. "I mean it, a friend of Hiro's and Tadashi's is welcome here. And it looks like Mochi voted you stay, so it doesn't matter what my nephew chooses, that's two against one… And Abigail, it really is a pleasure to have you over. Please, make yourself feel at home. Goodnight." Abigail petted Mochi, "Thank you for having me, Aunt Cass. Really. Have a goodnight too." Aunt Cass smiled and nodded at Abigail, then closed her door to turn in for the night. Abigail noted again that she truly did have the same sweet warmth and boundless energy as Abigail's mother. Abigail longed to make it up to her, not just for her hospitality but also for Tadashi.

Abigail slowly walked up the staircase with Mochi following her closely. Before she would be in view of Hiro's room, she knocked on the wall as a courtesy. "Hey, Hiro. Is it okay if I come up?" she announced, awaiting his response. "Oh, Abigail. Yeah… uhhh… you could come in.." the boy responded, a bit embarrassed that he could not clean up his room before.

"Sorry, got caught up working on this. Was just finishing up some last fixes on Baymax. And… umm… sorry for the mess," Hiro stammered, Abigail noticing his embarrassment at his room. "That's ok, I wasn't exactly the neatest fourteen-year-old either," Abigail chuckled as she looked around the boy genius' room. The tiffany blue walls were strewn with various posters of cartoon robots and science symposium flyers. The cupboards displaying a variety of books and robot figures, underneath it was a desk covered with blueprints, tools and schematics around Hiro's desktop computer. "You're such a boy, though," she commented, amused at his choice of decorations and the obvious organized chaos the young genius thrives in.

"Yeah…" Hiro laughed uneasily, looking away from Abigail to finish his work on a computer tablet and hide his embarrassment. Abigail laughed lightly, her gaze continuing to scan the room until she noted one side of it being demarcated by a Japanese-style shoji panel screen divider. This side was notably more organized, strewn with various textbooks and a neatly made bed. Abigail quickly realized this was Tadashi's side of the room, untouched and well-kept, just as he had left it. Her expression softened as she looked towards Hiro.

By now, the boy genius was finishing up his adjustments. From a nearby device's port on his desk, she noticed a green chip slowly eject for Hiro to grab. The green chip had a distinct robotic nurse icon and legibly shown on it, the handwritten label "Tadashi Hamada." Hiro took the chip and walked towards the charging Baymax who was "asleep." He pressed the access port for it to open, placing the chip in and closing the port. "And that, should do it," he said, pleased with his companion being fixed completely from his ordeal against Momokase.

He was smiling at his sleeping companion, when he heard Abigail suddenly chime in, "Tadashi never gave up on Baymax. He worked tirelessly on programming all of those medical procedures and coding Baymax to be fully functional. It's great to see his work come together." Hiro's eyes widened, turning his head with surprise, looking at Abigail as she leaned casually to rest on his desk. "You knew… my brother?" he asked, somewhat incredulously but shocked at the revelation.

"I met him several times whenever I went to visit… my father… at the Ito Ishioka Robotics Lab. He introduced me to Tadashi, I met him while he was doing his test trials to get Baymax working. It was incredible, he was so passionate and continued despite failure after failure. But he never seemed to lose hope, even if the tests would go wrong," Abigail looked down, her expression both soft yet appearing like she was trying to remember a far-off memory. She chuckled as she looked up to smile at the sleeping Baymax, "Sometimes I was lucky enough to visit and see him conducting one of his tests. Which was it? Maybe like test #62 or #63? Around there. Baymax's hug function was on overdrive, Tadashi had to fight to escape from him and shut down the test. It was funny seeing him try to slip out of his hug, he kept yelling for help so I tried to pull him out for a while. You wouldn't believe how strong Baymax was."

Hiro laughed heartily, imagining the scene in his mind with a smile. The thought of his brother having to try to escape from Baymax's hug was comical and yet heartwarming. He knew full well how strongly Baymax could keep you in his hug, one time he overclocked the robot and Baymax was too amped up to let the boy go. But he admitted, he hasn't brought himself to watch all of Tadashi's test trials. He saved them for the occasions he especially missed his older brother, as a way to comfort him with his presence. "So, you were friends with my brother?" he asked, wanting to know more about her relationship with Tadashi.

"Yes, you could say that. Although we only saw each other on the occasion that I was back in the city. Looking back, I wish I had came back more often. Your brother… he was such an easygoing young man, we got along really well right away. I respected him. Although, I wish I had gotten to spend more time to get to know him even better," Abigail admitted, looking back at those days. "I never got to see his final test, but I am truly lucky to meet his creation in its completion. He had a dream to help people, and through you and Baymax, his dream continues to be realized." Hiro smiled, he was genuinely touched by her words and her sentiment behind Tadashi and Baymax.

"But I understand, this Baymax is not quite the same one he created… Although, programming-wise he is, of course. Between his memories, protocols and personality, he is still Tadashi's Baymax in a way but…" she stated softly, but Hiro continued her thought. "That Baymax rests in that strange place we escaped, thanks to him…" Hiro said as he walked up to the sleeping Baymax, placing his hand on him.

"The Baymax that Tadashi built himself, that one is no longer with us. But Baymax is still here… Tadashi is still here," Hiro spoke softly, reassuring himself that their presence never truly left. "I am sorry… that he did not make it back because of me… and that my being stranded in that dimension, caused all of these things to happen. My father, in his grief… hurting you…Tadashi…" Abigail stammered, her voice unsteady as emotions were making it difficult to find the right words she wished she could express to Hiro. Seeing the photographs of Tadashi, seeing his empty side of his room and meeting his creation, Baymax… it all suddenly flooded her with the emotions she wanted to keep in check around Hiro. She cursed at herself, knowing that this isn't how she intended to approach Hiro about the subject.

Hiro was speechless, his eyes were closed as he tried to hold back the pain he was ignoring ever since Abigail arrived. Her father… Tadashi's Baymax… Tadashi… no words could even begin to describe the myriad of emotions that welled within him. He and Abigail's fates were seemingly destined to be intertwined the moment Project Silent Sparrow experienced its catastrophic failure. But he could not blame Abigail for being lost to the other side, and he realized what guilt and pain she was holding onto. Feeling responsible for her father, for Tadashi… having known his brother personally, at that.

"Abigail… it does still hurt, to have lost them both. But… You are not to blame for any of this… what you experienced was terrifying and out of your control… You don't have to apologize. That pain… holding onto it so tightly won't help you heal… trust me, I know," Hiro opened his eyes, looking at the distraught Abigail. She had been playful and teasing, even encouraging at times. But at this moment, Hiro knew that her demeanor could not betray what she was truly feeling. Hiro took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself.

"Abigail, I appreciate you coming to see me. For wanting to thank me and Baymax. But it's not your fault, tragedies happen whether we play a hand in it or not. Tadashi… would've wanted me to forgive your father, he looked up to him. Someday, I hope I can, if at least to stop feeling this pain. But you aren't your father and you don't have to take responsibility for what he did out of grief…" Hiro spoke, decidedly with honest confidence felt in his voice. There was still lingering resentment towards Professor Callaghan, but he did not feel right to hold Abigail accountable for his actions. He walked up to Abigail, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder like Tadashi would do to comfort him. "You knew Tadashi, you know that he would not want you to be this way. He never wanted to hurt people, and… I don't think he would want us to hurt so much because of him. I think he would want us to be able to move forward."

Abigail took a deep breath, opening her eyes and looking down at the young boy who was ironically comforting her. An honest expression of concern and care on his face. She thought about the boy and what he's gone through. Despite his youthful appearance, he was certainly far more mature beyond his years. It was not simply because he had a nearly unrivaled intellect that surpassed many others of any age. But he had experienced loss throughout his life, she could tell these experiences hurt him deeply, but they also shaped him to be who he is. She could see Tadashi in him. She knew that he was a good kid.

Without a doubt, she was wholly convinced that she needed to do everything in her power to make things up to him and Aunt Cass. And for Tadashi… she felt the need to look after the young boy. She understood that no one can possibly take Tadashi's place, but she realized that she wanted to look after him in his stead. With Tadashi's relationship with her father, at times, she regarded Tadashi like he was her own brother. In that regard, Hiro was the little brother she wanted to care for and make things up to. But she was astounded by his comforting and mature words, she simply reached back towards the boy and embraced him. At first, he was shocked and flustered, but he hugged her back. "You really are a good kid," she spoke softly. Although he hugged her back to reassure and comfort her, Hiro did feel a sense of genuine care and understanding in her embrace. It was almost familiar, nearly like the feeling of understanding and care he felt when he received a hug from Gogo at one of his worst moments.

"Thank you, Hiro," she said as she slowly released her embrace and looked down at the boy, hands resting on his shoulders. "I wanted to come see you, to meet you, so that I could thank you for what you did for me. But I really meant it when I said that I want to return the favor. There is a lot that I wish could have gone differently. Even then, I want to make things up to you. For us to heal. I did come back to San Fransokyo for a special project that I wanted to work with you on…"

Hiro lightly smiled at her, although curious what she meant, "Abigail, I understand. I appreciate it but you really don't have to thank me-" Abigail shook her head to interject, feeling she needed to do this. With the utmost conviction and confidence she could muster, she looked at the boy with a determined expression, "Hiro, I plan to rebuild Project Silent Sparrow. I am going back there to return Tadashi's Baymax back to you and Aunt Cass."

Hiro's eyes widened at her proposal, he was almost speechless. His eyes shifted around, trying to process it all. "Abigail, that's… you don't have to… that could be dangerous-" Once again, Abigail interjected to attempt to convince him, "You risked your own life to save mine. And in your efforts, you lost Baymax. I understand full well what it is I am trying to do, that there is a risk of being lost there again. But finally meeting you, and getting to know Aunt Cass. I am convinced that I must do this, I want to do this. I owe it to Baymax. I owe it to you. I… owe it to Tadashi. Someone has to get him back, and that someone has to be me."

"Abigail…" Hiro was in shock, with such an undertaking there was so much involved and the sheer implications of it shook him to his core. But it was very apparent that she was adamant and could not be convinced otherwise. This was a lot to process for the boy. She reassured him, "I understand that this is all so sudden and that you might need some time to give it some thought. But it would mean so much to me if you worked alongside me to ensure this 'project' is successful. If at the very least, you understand why I am pursuing this. You don't have to answer now. Just… sleep on it."

Hiro took a deep breath, trying to wrap his head around all of this. He would have to think on it more. But he did honestly appreciate what she was trying to do for him and Aunt Cass, to honor Tadashi. It was very telling of her, Hiro began to understand why she did go out of her way to find him. He knew that she genuinely wanted to thank him by returning the first Baymax model. And it was a powerful sentiment. Looking up at Abigail, he nodded, "I… will think on it. But, thank you, Abigail." He suddenly came in for a hug, this time surprising Abigail. But she quickly returned it in kind. She smiled down at the young boy, grateful that he was at least considering it. They stood there for a moment, gathering their thoughts and themselves to calm down. The atmosphere becoming softer again.

"Speaking about sleeping on it… I was going to ask you but Aunt Cass says you have no say on the matter, so… I'm spending the night here," Abigail playfully broke the momentary silence. The young boy nearly jumped back, his face flushed red. She chuckled at his flustered expression, amused how quickly he turned red. "What?! She said that… Well… I mean it is late I guess and…but," the boy stammered as if he was trying to convince himself that it was the most logical solution for his guest. He admitted that he was becoming more comfortable with being around Abigail, but he would have never thought that she would be sleeping over too.

"I know this is all so sudden," she said with understanding. The boy nodded. "Yeah… everything really. Well can't exactly argue with Aunt Cass and I wouldn't kick you out of course, I'm not mean," Hiro exclaimed, his voice cracking with timid acceptance that she was here to stay. "Don't worry, I'll just be downstairs on the couch. For the most part, I'll be out of your messy hair. But, uhh, do you happen to have any blankets I could borrow?"

"Oh, ok. Yeah. Of course!" Hiro clumsily foraged around his room into a drawer to grab some extra blankets. She noticed that when he gets flustered, even his coordination seems to become disorganized. He handed her the folded blankets, barely looking up. "Here you go. Well… umm… goodnight?" the boy said in an almost confused questioning manner while at the same time wishing her the pleasantry.

Taking it from his hands, "Thanks, Hiro. Yes, goodnight." She chuckled, walking towards the stairs. "Thank you, Abigail," Hiro said softly. Shortly, she turned around looking back towards Hiro. "And, really, thank you Hiro. Please… sleep on it. We can discuss it when you are ready. You'll know where to find me… because, you know, I'll be here," Abigail said playfully, but reminding him that she wanted him to take the time to process things, to consider what she was setting out to do.

Hiro smiled, nodding at her, "Goodnight, Abigail." She smiled, walking down the stairs to the living room with Mochi getting up to go follow her down. "Goodnight, Hiro." Turning off the lights of his room, he looked at the sleeping Baymax and smiled. He thought about the possibility of having the first Baymax back, another meaningful keepsake from Tadashi. Another part of his legacy. He got into his bed, closing his eyes as he tried to process the day in its entirety. Drifting to calming sleep.