Heeeyyy everyone. :D Thank you all SO MUCH for your feedback and input, this story is quite different from what I usually do, but I must say it's a very interesting journey. I have had to change a lot of ideas I had for this story, given the way it's going, but I think the way it's going to go now, is just right. I know exactly what I need to do, and I think it will flow just perfectly.

Another special thanks goes to One Fine Wire, for her valuable input and her excellent suggestions and ideas that have helped made this story into exactly what it should be. Thank you so much, buddy! :)

Anyway, without further ado, let's dive back into our alternate timeline and see just how things shall turn out yet again!

XXX

According to the acquired information, Brainy found that Ruth's parents were business people. Successful business people, in fact. They worked for Future Tech Industries, and actually now lived in Seattle, where they worked at that city's branch of the company. Troy McDougal, Ruth's father, was head of the advertising department, and Gretchen McDougal (nee Thompson), was an executive manager.

Future Tech Industries...the FTi...

It reminded Brainy of the FTi incident way back in the original timeline, that although was set YEARS ago at this point, felt just like yesterday in his mind. When the FTI was set to tear down the neighbourhood and build a mega mall in its place. Sure, he and his family back then had lived in the further outskirts of the neighbourhood and weren't that effected by it, but it did cause a scare. Then Arnold had bravely stepped in with his friends to try to stop it. After many failed attempts, Arnold and Gerald then received Helga's help, who was under the guise of "Deep Voice", and thanks to the inside information she had because of her father and his business associate being in cahoots with Sheck.

Then there was the rooftop encounter...when Helga had finally confessed her feelings for Arnold... Brainy didn't see it first hand, obviously, he just heard of it thanks to when he had overheard the couple talking about it one time, and of course during one of her monologues.

There was the confession...that planted the seed of their love. The adventure in San Lorenzo and finding his parents, leading to him fully coming to terms with his own feelings and reciprocating hers, which provided the water and sunlight for that little seed. Before it then blossomed into what their love was to be.

As Brainy went over the file, he couldn't help but a feel the guilt eat at his gut yet again.

Am I really doing the right thing? Was all he could think.

Shaking his head, he got back on task. At the hospital, he had called every hour or so periodically to try to get a hold of Ruth's parents. But they never answered their phone. He left two messages on their voicemail, but that was it. Either they were completely busy and had not been able to check their messages, or...on a lesser alternative, they did get the messages, and just weren't answering them or their phone.

"Briaaann... Come to bed already. It's 11:45." Helga mock-whined from the doorway.

Brainy looked up to see his wife wearing an adorable baby doll nightgown, and felt his insides freeze. Why oh why did she have to tempt him with that?

"You've been working too hard all day. Everything will be fine." Helga came into the room and went to stand behind him, rubbing his shoulders. "Come to bed, you can deal with this tomorrow, now come on."

As much as he wanted to give in...there was a part of his mind, that was admittedly still ten years old, given that all he had were memories of this new life, not exactly first had experience he remembered thoroughly, so the idea of getting...sexual was a little bit scary to him. Even if it was Helga.

"Helga, I...I can't, not tonight." Brainy managed. "I need all the sleep I can get."

The blonde woman pouted lightly, crossing her arms. "Choosing work and sleep over me?"

"N-No! No! I-I just...can't right now. I'd rather...we spend time like this when I can truly give all of me to you. But my mind just isn't here. I have a lot on my plate, and I feel that my...er...p-performance..." He tugged at his collar nervously. "Would be half witted and that wouldn't be fair to you. Besides, with everything that happened today, I'm not even sure if I can." After all, I can't quite just admit that I'm a 10-year-old inside the body of a 26-year-old and have no idea if I can even come close to performing a...consummating action.

A look came to Helga's face, and she sighed, nodding in agreement. "I know what you're saying. I feel that way too. Maybe I just...wanted to try to get it all off my mind, but I can't, either. You're right, we shouldn't, not right now. I'm sorry. I just... Well, this happened Brian, I never...I never thought I would feel this badly for someone I don't even know that well. I mean, of course I knew I'd feel bad since I wouldn't wish this kind of thing on anyone, but...I can't explain it Brian, but when I saw Arnold sad...I just, I just felt it. Right here. When he was sad, I felt sad too. Like the loss had to do with me, too. Even if it didn't. I didn't think I could offer comfort to someone like that, but...it came to me almost naturally, like I knew what to say. I am a lawyer, and trained to see a situation from all the angles with an analytical standpoint, but...this was extreme, Brian. I don't even know what came over me."

Just as Brainy suspected. He knew it all along. When Arnold was sad, Helga was too. It was all part of the connections that bound them together as soulmates.

You're subconsciously in love with him. Brainy nearly said, but didn't dare. "Trust me Helga, even I couldn't explain it. But...like I said, it was really sweet of you to do that. I'm sure he appreciated it very much."

A smile came to Helga's face. "Yeah, he did. After I took a nap in the room, and he was trying to get some time to himself, he came back to the room, and he thanked me again for what I'd done. The poor man, he's so destroyed by this. And even Ruth is distraught, which...well, proves she's human!"

A small laugh escaped Brainy. "Yes, I suppose it does."

"Did you get a hold of her parents?" Helga now pulled on a silk robe that was sitting on a chair next to the door, tying the belt tightly.

Brainy sighed, shaking his head. "No, I haven't gotten to them all day. I left them two messages, that's it. Either they're so busy that they haven't been able to answer the phone or check their messages...or there's the possibility that maybe they don't want to answer. I suspected, since her parents didn't show up for the ultrasound or when she went into labour, that there may have been bad blood between Ruth and her parents, but I honestly don't know for sure. Ruth hasn't said anything, she's too distraught from the situation and in the middle of recovering from the surgery. So, if we don't get an answer within the next two or three days, we'll see if maybe she will tell us anything."

"Mmm-hmm..." Helga nodded, crossing her arms as a thoughtful frown came to her face. "If there's bad blood in there, it's going to make it harder for Ruth to cope and have the support she needs. Sure, she has Arnold, his parents, and his family, and the team of specialists to help deal with the loss of their child, and I guess their friends, too. They would help, but her parents? They should be involved too, you know."

"I couldn't agree more. ...And you know, I'm wondering what this may do to Arnold and Ruth's marriage."

"What do you mean?"

"There is something wrong with their marriage. I'm not saying they don't care about each other to some level, because I know they do, but...if you think about it Helga, they just went into things in the wrong place at the wrong time, and just don't have what it means to be together as a couple. They will probably need some counseling after this."

Helga's eyes widened, looking unsure and puzzled, biting her lip. "You think that this could destroy their marriage?"

"Well, I wouldn't put it that way." Brainy murmured, taking off his glasses for a moment to wipe his eyes and then putting them back on. "But I think maybe, that this was some kind of a wake up call for them. That they need to sort out a lot of things and come to terms with their feelings and everything else around them, that the way they are going right now, with no change, is not going to work. I think this may be the beginning of their marriage going downhill. It's not that ALL couples who have miscarriages or stillborn babies shouldn't be together, I'm not saying that. Like I said about the wake up call, I think that their much-needed wake up call came in the form of this."

"That's just sad." Helga shook her head and leaned against the doorway. "But I have a feeling you might be right. Still, either way it might end up, I sure hope they get the help and support they need for everything. At least I'm not a divorce attorney! I don't know what I'd do if I had to take on that case if they end up getting divorced."

Brainy gave a small nod of agreement. Helga may have grown up a lot since her childhood, in both body and mind, and he knew that she wouldn't at all be jumping around on the table about the possible divorce, but the idea of her being a divorce attorney and handling their case likely just wouldn't work for her. It was already hard enough for her to witness this, but to have to deal with it on all angles and work out the legal procedures of a divorce for those two in particular would only serve to complicate things.

He couldn't let her go through something like that.

"Anyway..." Helga murmured and stepped out of the room, yawning a bit. "I'd better get to bed. I have a lot of over time to do at work for missing today. I'll probably be gone by the time you get up, I'll probably leave early. I bought some eggs and some more cereal and milk on my way home earlier so you should be okay. Keep me posted, okay?"

Brainy nodded. "All right, Helga. I will. Goodnight." He smiled warmly.

"Goodnight, Brainy. See you tomorrow." She smiled back and then headed out to their room, turning out the hallway light.

Exhaling, Brainy took off his glasses and placed them on his desk as he leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling with a thoughtful gaze. So much was running through his mind right now, it was a wonder his head wasn't spinning. There was a lot to deal with, to get through, sort out, organize...

It was going to be a long, long night indeed.

XXX

"How are they doing, Dr. Shortman?"

"You can call me Stella, Brian, it's all right." Stella smiled at him a little, and sighed as she took another sip of her coffee. "Yesterday was such a long and tiring day. Ruth is recovering just fine from the surgery, but she's still distraught over the loss of Francesca. So is Arnold...I have never seen my son so sad like this. It breaks my heart, both for the loss of our own grandchild and seeing them suffer like this. They're seeing Dr. Libinson and Dr. Alvarez and the team of specialists who deal with couples who have lost their child to get the proper closure they need, making funeral arrangements and whatnot. I was helping them out, but I needed a coffee break, I barely slept at all last night."

Brainy gently placed a hand on the older woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry again, for all of this...Stella. It's a deep shame that it had to happen to them. But I hope with all my heart that they will make it through this, one way or another."

Looking at him with sad, tired, but warm eyes, Stella smiled and patted his hand. "Thank you, Brian. You've helped a lot in this, and your help, strength and compassion is very helpful. I...have a feeling that this may cause problems in their marriage, I could see it a mile away."

"You think so?"

"Well, I have a feeling, but I don't know what may come of it. I just hope, as you said, they'll make it through this whether or not they may stay together."

"Either way...Francesca, despite being a stillborn, will always be a part of their lives and will be a part of what connects them together. She is still their child, even though in spirit." Brainy said softly.

Stella nodded in agreement. "I couldn't have said it better myself. You're right. You're absolutely right. That's what your wife said, something like that, right?"

"She did. When I told Arnold and Mr. Shortman, my wife was waiting there with them to offer her support, and she comforted him, saying pretty much what I said just now. ...Well, a lot more than that, of course."

"Miles told me about what she said, back in the room when you told them. Can you thank her again for me? It was such a nice thing of her to do. She's such a sweetheart."

"Yeah, she may be like a take-no-prisoners Amazon, but...she can be a real sweetie." A small smile etched Brainy's face. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to let her know. I promised her I'd keep her updated about all of this, anyway."

"Thank you, that's great to hear." Stella took another slip of her coffee. "Did you get a hold of Ruth's parents?"

Brainy sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I haven't been able to get through all of yesterday, last night or this morning. I left two messages, and I called every hour. Nothing at all."

"I can't believe it. Troy and Gretchen are just being stupid about this." The older doctor groaned. "Their daughter needs them, and they just turn their backs like it's nothing. They don't even know that their own grandchild is a stillborn."

"It's unfair of them." The spectacled man agreed. "I don't know if it's because they are too busy or that they really are ignoring the calls. Do you know if there is such bad blood between Ruth and her parents?"

"I wouldn't say bad blood, but I also wouldn't say they are the perfect family. But I knew they were there for each other somehow. They just aren't in contact very often." Stella said. "When she was eight weeks pregnant and came to see me for her first ultrasound, only her mother showed up. But after that, she never showed again. Her father never did, not once. Arnold, Miles, myself, and her friends Connie and Maria were ever the only ones present for her check ups and ultrasounds."

"That's what Dr. Maxwell said to me. Ruth called you when she was in labour, didn't she?"

"She did. She had tried calling her parents, but they didn't pick up their phone at all, so she called me."

A heavy sigh escaped Brainy and he shook his head in disbelief. There was something wrong between Ruth and her parents if they weren't in contact very often. Sure, busy lifestyles did that at times, but why wouldn't they take time off to be close to their daughter when she near her due date? The Patakis weren't exactly 100% perfect, but they were far better than in the past and Brainy knew now that if Helga were pregnant and close to her due date, they would make sure to be close by and ready for when the time would come.

"Well...I suppose all we can do is keep trying them." Brainy finally said. "Do you need any more help?"

"I do need to help out in getting everything ready for Francesca's proper memorial service. They're taking pictures, making clay molds of her hands and feet, taking finger prints, and dressing her in a lovely little gown, as well putting together her death certificate. We're all doing what we can to make sure they get proper closure and that her memory will be within our hearts." Stella sipped her coffee once more. "Would you do me a favour, and talk to Dr. Bartlett in the psychology department? I've recommended him to them for the counselling and coping they will need for everything, since he also deals with marital problems."

"No problem Stella, I'll get to that right away."

"Thank you, Brian. Thank you very much for everything."

Brainy smiled once more. "You're welcome. I do what I can."

Stella smiled back, and he left her office, heading off to the psychology department. He knew what he had to do, in all part of redeeming himself for his actions, but that was only part of it. Brainy knew what else had to be done, but it was pushed back at the far ends of his mind. He couldn't give up now. He had to see this through to the end, and make sure to do that the right way.

Whatever that way may have been.

XXX

After Brainy spoke with Dr. Bartlett, he returned downstairs, and even passed by the private room from yesterday, seeing Arnold in there all by himself, looking distraught, and deep in thought. He wondered for a moment if he should go in there and see how he was doing, or to just continue on his way.

"Hi, Brian." Arnold said softly from the room as he looked up to see him. The poor man had bloodshot eyes, tear-stained cheeks, dark circles in his eyes, even his hair looked a bit limp.

Looks like it answered that question.

"Hey, Arnold." Brainy walked into the room, holding his clipboard against him. "How are you doing?"

"I've been better." Arnold murmured, running a hand through his hair. "We just finished getting everything together for Francesca's memory. Her funeral will take place this Saturday. Ruth will be out of the hospital by then, thankfully. She's doing okay now, except for...the loss."

"Well, that's good to hear on her part." Brainy agreed. "I should also inform you that we have not been able to contact her parents."

"I'm not surprised. They haven't always been as attentive as they could have been. It's not her fault though, they've always hated me." The football-headed man murmured.

"Why?" Brainy asked, frowning.

Arnold sighed, looking up at him and gesturing for him to sit down in a chair next to him, which he did. "Between you and me, Brian, her parents don't like me. They don't like me because...I'm not the handsomest guy around, I'm not richest, and well, I am smart but I'm no Physicist. When I got her pregnant, her father was furious, and made no effort to be there for Ruth. Her mom tried, but she eventually gave up and followed in her husband's trails. I tried to be nice and get along with them, they are my in-laws, but it's difficult. And because they don't like me, Ruth doesn't speak to them often, but she's tried to make amends."

So that's what was going on. Brainy understood. There was a set of bad blood. All because they didn't approve of their daughter being with Arnold. And who knows what else was in there.

"Do your parents know?"

"Not really, Troy and Gretchen tend to be all polite and kind in front of my parents. With my dad being an Anthropologist and my mom being a doctor, they see that one link to being...well, having good connections and not wronging the right kind of people. I've mentioned they don't think highly of me, but I don't get into it because I could never drag my parents into our...problems. And now that we've had a stillborn, they'll kill me. Poor Ruth, I feel bad that she has to deal with that kind of attitude from her parents."

"I'm sorry to heart that. If you want we can wait a while before we somehow get ahold of her parents, if you guys aren't ready to share this news."

Arnold nodded. "Thanks, Brian. We need a few days to adjust and get the closure we need before...before we tell our friends and families and coworkers."

"You're welcome, Arnold. No problem." Brainy patted his shoulder. "We're all here to help you guys any way you need it."

"I know." He smiled a little bit, but it was grateful. "And thank you for listening. I needed that."

"Don't mention it. Although you two should consult with Dr. Bartlett over in the Psychology department, I'm sure your mother mentioned all this to you."

"She did, and we'll go see him tomorrow, when Ruth is a bit more rested and recovered."

"All right then." Brainy nodded, and stood up. "I'd better get back to work. Will you be okay, Arnold?"

"I'll be fine. I just need to reflect."

"Okay, I'll see you later."

As he left the room, shutting the door behind him, Brainy felt yet another stab of guilt in his heart. This was getting to be too much, and he knew now, more and more, just how much his own selfish desires had resulted in such...mayhem.

I just hope everything turns out all right...not much else can be done beyond that. He thought, looking uncertain and anxious.

He just wondered one simple thing.

Now what?