Author's Note/Disclaimer: I don't own Sam and Max, they belong to Steve Purcell. I'm just borrowing them for a little while.
This took far longer than it should have to be finished, and I still feel like it's not the best thing I've ever written. It's also really freaking short. Blargh. I apologize if this chapter is awful and feels forced to you. But at least it's done, right? Gah. Also, more Portal 2 references because I can.
Chapter Seven – Space Egg
The DeSoto broke through the stratosphere and into outer space, jettisoning the boosters, including Bluster Blaster as the afterburners kicked in. The debris drifted away to join some other junk floating in space as the DeSoto continued on its way.
"This is totally awesome!" cried Bluster Blaster as he floated freely, bumping into the other curiously round debris.
"I'm in space! SPAAAAAACE! I'm seeing all of space!"
"Alright, mate, we get it already!"
Meanwhile, back in the DeSoto, the Geek was consulting her Directional Bioradial Signature Locator, telling Sybil which direction to take that more or less led to the Max reading. Sam was staring out the window at the moon, a wistful look on his face. He was unusually silent.
Sybil set the autopilot based on the latest directions before turning to him. "What's up, Sam?"
He jumped, startled and lost his grip on his space helmet. He grabbed it out of the air to keep it from smashing into things before replying. "Nothing, really. Just thinking about all the adventures Max and I have had on the moon."
Sybil raised an eyebrow. "How many times have you been there?"
"Twice, not counting the couple of back and forth trips we had to make while visiting the Blister of Tranquility. I think when this is all said and done, Max and I should go visit those nice rat folks again."
"Maybe I could come with you?"
"What about Abby and Abe?"
"Abe can babysit for a few days. It'll be good for him, anyway. He hasn't spent much time with Abby since she was born."
That was when the Geek tuned the two out, rolling her eyes. Instead, she focused her attention back to her tracker. The signal was still a few thousand miles away, but at the speed the DeSoto was travelling, it would only take a couple more hours.
She had a basic idea of what to expect at the end of the journey, and Superball assured her that Sam would do what needed to be done. However, she had her doubts. The bond Sam shared with Max was stronger than anything she had experienced before. If anything could break the subliminal conditioning, it would be that. At least she was prepared, just in case. She glanced to the case she'd brought with her, and hoped she wouldn't have to use it.
Space was certainly dull when one was jammed into a tin can without anything better to do, so the Geek started eavesdropping on Sam and Sybil's conversation again.
"I hate to admit it, Sam, but I'm beginning to think going back to Abe was a mistake," Sybil was saying.
Sam's next words were surprisingly bitter. "You think? Geez, Max and I even built you the perfect man, everything you ever told us you wanted, and you threw it back into our faces. Talk about ungrateful."
Sybil's face went red, but whether it was from anger, embarrassment or some combination of both, Sam wasn't sure. Her words were sharp, though. "Excuse me? It's my life and I'm allowed to pick my own relationships! I never asked you to interfere!" She paused and huffed angrily. "Or did I? I don't remember. Either way, you are right, though. You were only trying to help. I really should have known better."
"Yes, you should have. After the way he acted on your birthday and all. Let me guess, more of the same?"
"I don't see how it's any of your business, but yes! Abe got all excited about some fertility statues and decided to recommend morbid obesity as a lifestyle. Either that, or stay constantly pregnant, and I can tell you one thing; I have no intention of doing that again!"
"Geez, Sybil. Have you tried talking about it to him?"
Sybil stopped. Sam had a point. It didn't forgive him for anything else, but the question managed to calm her down somewhat. "No, I haven't. I really should."
"Yeah." Sam blew out a sigh. "Sorry about being a jerk, though. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about? I'll try not to snap this time."
Sybil was silent for a moment before taking a deep breath. "I accept your apology. And yes, there are a few things I wouldn't mind getting off my chest. If you don't mind listening?"
Sam nodded and she continued. "I really should have seen it coming. I mean, he's done it before, ogling statues, even going so far as to hit on them in front of me. He's always staying out late with the guys. He's barely even seen Abby since she was born and he doesn't seem to have any interest in helping to raise her. And he still wants me to change my appearance with plastic surgery. You know, to make me more 'statuesque'. Bleah." On the last syllable, Sybil stuck her tongue out.
Sam didn't really know what to say. He was rather fond of Sybil, and knowing what she was going through made him sad, and a little angry. He pushed thoughts of confronting Abe aside and, knowing full well he should probably get Max's permission before making the offer, asked, "You know, if you ever need somewhere to go, you can come crash at the office with me and Max. I know it's a mess, but you're welcome to it."
Sybil snorted in amusement. "Thanks, I'll think about it."
Sam favoured her with a warm smile. "Besides, I always thought you were pretty just the way you are."
"Thanks, Sam. You're a good friend," Sybil said, laughing and patting him on the arm. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Sam knew she didn't mean it in a bad way, but what she said reminded him of what had happened before with the Toy Mafia. He never said anything to Max because he knew his little pal's response would have been something along the lines of biting him and telling him to dog up, but the whole thing still made him feel guilty whenever he thought about it. "You'd have better friends, for one."
"What are you talking about, Sam?"
"I want to tell you, but you'll just get mad at me all over again."
"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad."
"Yes, it can." Sam sighed. "Remember that time with the Toy Mafia?"
"Oh, you mean when I was a professional witness, and they threatened to put a hit out on me?"
"Yeah, that. We suggested that you fake your death, and you said it was against your principles or something like that? Well, Max and I kinda… faked your death for you."
"What? How? Why?"
"Your coffee cup. I stole it, put ketchup in it and then shot it out of your hand to make it look like I'd killed you. As for why, Max and I were trying to infiltrate the mob and they told us we had to whack you to get in. I meant to tell you… the whole thing never really sat right with me."
Sybil was silent, frowning. Sam started fidgeting with his hands nervously. He knew Sybil was mad at him, he just hoped she wasn't so upset she would stop being friends with him. He could understand if that were the case, though.
"You're right," she said suddenly. "You're not a good friend." Sam wilted, but she continued. "I'm upset that you would even consider doing such a thing! But at the same time, you did save my life. So, while I am angry, I also forgive you." Sybil punched him lightly in the shoulder. "Just don't do it again."
"Gah, would you two get a room already!" the Geek cried from the back seat, tired of listening to the two.
Both Sybil and Sam jumped and began to blush. Sybil swung around to yell at the Geek to shut up.
"Whatever," Darla replied. She glanced down at her instrument again. "We're closing in on our target. Thought you'd like to know."
The three turned their attention to the endless reaches of space. Something was floating out there, but it was still too far out to tell what it was. It was silent as they approached, the object becoming clearer. It was dark and round and pulsated with a purplish light. It appeared to be some sort of egg, and, floating inside, was Max.
