Note: None of the characters associated with Cyberchase belong to me, except for Ivy, of course. She's 100% original, baby!

Yeah yeah, I know, I haven't updated in a while. So sue me! Now stop judging me and read! Anyway, the majority of this chapter involves Hacker and Wicked so don't hate me too much.

Oh and one more thing…enjoy!

My One and Only: A Cyberspace Story

By LaurenShort-DisneyFan

Chapter 10: So Many Emotions, So Little Time

"Can't this miserable crate go any faster!"

Wicked had been pacing back and forth, attempting to keep her anxiety in check. But every now and then she would slip, once again spinning around to snap at those piloting the Grim Wreaker, receiving the same disgruntled response from either Buzz or Delete;

"We're sorry! We're doin' what we can, just don't turn us into slugs again!"

The witch, though never satisfied with the answer, merely gave another agitated huff before resuming her pacing, trying desperately to take her mind off of the situation, only to fail miserably. She'd never noticed how long of a journey it was from the Northern Frontier to Control Central, especially when taking the Grim Wreaker. It may have just been her nerves getting to her, causing her to lose patience faster than usual.

The two dimwitted robots had been doing their best, she had to admit. With Hacker locking himself up in his lab to come up with a solution for Ivy, piloting the large craft was much more difficult for someone as short they were. She hadn't meant to threaten them with magic, but it was the only way she knew how to cope with the pressure of it all. Mentally, she beat her self up for not knowing some sort of speed spell that would get them to Motherboard and the others much faster. According to Hacker, Ivy didn't have much time.

This thought caused her heart to ache. It was difficult for her to accept, but her and the child had developed a strong connection. What started out as going out of her way to do Hacker a favor had turned into something she looked forward to every moment of the day. She'd never felt so strongly about anyone before, especially a child, seeing as how she hated children with a passion. But Ivy was different. From the moment she laid eyes on the small green girl, she immediately knew she could only be Hacker's daughter.

And yet, as time went on, there were more and more differences between Ivy and her father; her smile, her giggle, her warm-hearted nature. All these traits had come from thin air. Not once had she seen any of these in the cyborg's own personality. She was still baffled at how someone so black-hearted and maniacal could produce something so sweet and innocent.

It was a hard pill to swallow, but Ivy was a perfect little angel that could win over anyone. This including two villains such as herself and The Hacker. The bond that she'd developed with her was probably about as close as any mother and daughter could ever be…and as strange as it sounds, Ivy's birth had rekindled another bond. One she'd almost given up on entirely.

She'd managed to stop pacing, instead approaching Buzz and Delete yet again, but this time starring up at the display screens, speaking with as much calm as she could muster.

"How much longer is this going to take?"

Buzz wriggles around the large piloting chair to look over at her, keeping his stubby hand on what she could only guess was some sort of steering mechanism. "Not sure," he replied. "But it usually takes 'bout, uh…" He pauses, counting on his other hand with far too much concentration for something so simple. "A couple hours, so not much longer."

She sighs. "Just…keep doing what you can, alright?" He answers with a nod before getting back to the many controls as she shakes her head, rubbing at her eyes, unable to recall ever feeling this miserable.

"Um, Miss Wicked?"

She brings her head up at hearing Delete's voice. "What?" she asks groggily.

The taller robot doesn't answer right away, looking away from his job monitoring their speed to study the tiles on the floor. "Is…is Ivy gonna be alright?" He brings his head up, eyes filled with concern. "I mean, he can help her…can't he?" Delete goes quiet as he stares up at her. Buzz in the meantime had turned slightly to do the same, though he's less direct than his brother.

Wicked blinks. After a moment, she forces a smile for them. "She's going to be fine." She gestures to the screens. "The faster we get there, the faster Hacker can do what he needs to."

The two exchanged glances before getting back to the open void of cyberspace that lay before them. Once their again concentrating on getting to Central Control, Wicked turns and begins walking out of the room, moving through the dimly lit hallway in hopes of clearing her head.

She didn't have the heart to tell them that, although their boss had indeed found a cure for the girl, there was no guarantee that they'd get to her in time. It would only stress them out more if they were to learn this, just making the journey even more difficult for them. The last thing she wanted for them was to feel pressured, especially when they barely had control over the Grim Wreaker enough as it is.

Wicked could see a light further down the hall, coming out of an all too familiar room. Rather than go right in, she stops at the door, leaning forward to get a glimpse, hearing only silence coming from the usually clean laboratory.

Since discovering Ivy's condition, Hacker had apparently gone through every piece of information that he'd ever written down, as papers were now strewn about on the floor, the many workbenches, and even the large computer consol were all cluttered with various notes and folders. As if that wasn't enough of a mess, there were also numerous pieces of machinery and other random parts thrown into the mix.

Despite the clutter, it wasn't too difficult to locate the large green cyborg, seeing him hunched over one of his workbenches, piecing something together from what looked like random electronics and medical equipment he'd found around him. He's silent as he appears to focus all of his concentration and energy on the delicate task before him, failing to notice someone standing at the open door off to the side, just out of his line of sight.

Wicked is unable to hide her amazement at his appearance. She couldn't recall ever seeing him like this; so focused and dedicated. Although his face is set in stone, his eyes tell a different story. Filled with so much sadness and heartbreak, that it almost causes her to tear up the longer she stares at him.

As emotions begin to well up within her, she feels a sudden need to go to his side. But she knew that was her heart doing the talking. Her head, which she usually listened to when it came to dealing with The Hacker, was telling her that he needed his space in order to work. Though it pained her slightly to think this, she knew it was true.

Wicked slowly backs away from the doorway, but not before taking another long look at Ivy's father, willing to go above and beyond to save his little girl. She couldn't help but give a weak smile.

She quickly wipes away the involuntary tear that rolls down her cheek before making her way back to the main control room, deciding to see if Buzz and Delete were making any progress.

And if they'd need further "motivation".

"There…that should do it."

Hacker sighed, setting down the screwdriver he'd been using on the workbench in front of him. He uses the back of his hand to wipe away the sweat forming above his brow, shaking his head glumly, wishing he was more confident about his latest creation.

It hadn't taken Hacker long to assemble a simple way of transferring energy from one cyber being to another. Though it took a lot less time than usual to concoct an invention, he feels there's nothing to celebrate as he frowns at the makeshift device; it resembled a pair of metal handcuffs, with long cylinder-like manacles instead of the usual metal rings. Rather than a few links of chain binding them to one another, there's a long piece of tubing no more than a foot in length protruding from the sides.

It's purpose was simple enough; extracting a substantial amount of energy from one person in a very short amount of time, almost immediately transferring it through the tube and into the other wristband, depositing power into the opposing wearer's system.

He picks it up again, studying its design very closely, not wanting to miss anything. After a moment, he sets it back down, rubbing at his tired eyes before reaching over to his right, his fingers wrapping around the first extraction device he'd developed. This one is much different than the cuffs, and can be held in the palm of his hand. It resembles a type of syringe, set atop some sort of small handheld metal base attached to a handle with a small trigger beneath, almost like a handgun. This one also hadn't taken very long to make.

Its function was very similar to the other's, except it only housed a certain amount of energy being injected. The cuffs offered an unlimited supply, and had to be shut off manually, making them much more dangerous to the donor if something were to go wrong…such as being unable to shut them off before too much had been extracted.

Only The Wicked Witch would be using the syringe…the manacles were meant for him. Although he'd gone over the equations several times, there was no real sure way to determine how much Ivy would need from himself to survive. Originally, he'd thought that because she'd turned out to be a girl, Wicked's energy was much more valuable than his own. But after further consideration, it was the other way around. Because he and the child shared such a strong genetic connection, it only made sense that his energy signature would serve a greater purpose than hers.

He was inwardly grateful for this…the last thing he wanted was for the second most important person in his life to suffer for his own mistakes. Though he would never openly admit to it.

Hacker replaced the syringe back onto the table. He then goes to exit the lab, only to pause, leaning on the door's frame as he glances over into the corner. He sighs while eyeing the pod responsible for his daughter's birth, still finding it hard to believe that his own henchman, Delete, had been the cause of all this. If it wasn't for the dimwitted little bot, his plans for creating a young male tyrant in his image would've gone on without a hitch. Instead, he'd gotten the exact opposite; a perfect little angel. Though it was all just one big accident, he couldn't have asked for a better mistake.

Hacker continues out of the room, making his way down the dimly lit corridor, hands shoved in his pockets as he watches the metallic tiles pass beneath his feet. He couldn't recall ever feeling this miserable before now, even when facing defeat against his enemies. This was different, almost like guilt, wanting more than anything to see his little girl back home, safe and sound. He wished so much that he could go back in time and take back everything that had been said between him and Wicked while Ivy listened in. But at the same time, he knew it was probably for the best. Keeping her in the dark about his true intentions had only made things worse. Although she feared him, and probably despised him, at least now she knew the truth, even if it meant her choosing an entirely different path than what he'd originally intended.

Ivy was nothing like him, and hopefully, she would stay that way.

He shook his head, not used to having all these emotions. Mainly from showing concern for someone else. Not just for Ivy, but Wicked as well. He wasn't sure what was going on with him lately; perhaps a malfunction of programming, or some sort of glitch in his internal hard drive. Whatever it was had brought about an entirely new perspective on things. For some reason he appeared to be developing concern where there hadn't been any before…and not just for the girl. Something about him was changing, and whether or not it was a good thing was still to be determined. But he was almost positive that the child's arrival had been responsible.

Hacker thinks on this, taking in his surroundings. The Grim Wreaker had been his home and base of operations for several years now. As time went on, he'd built many inventions, as well as the few robotic companions to handle most of the grunt work, Digit being the only one to abandon him. Although he despised the purple bird, he couldn't really blame him for leaving. Despite everything he'd done to make himself comfortable, it was dreadfully lonely on the desolate site. Anyone with common sense would've done everything possible to find somewhere more bearable to live…not to mention a more supportable employer.

It was perfectly understandable for someone as young and innocent as Ivy to want something better. As much as he cared for her and was willing to give her anything to make her happy, deep down he always knew that it would never be enough. She deserved so much better than what he had to offer, despite what Wicked had told him. True, she was right about him at least attempting to be a good father, but there was no denying the fact of who he was, and where he'd been banished to. The Northern Frontier was no place for a child to grow up…neither was having a criminal mastermind as a parent.

Hacker suddenly looks up, only now realizing he'd wandered all through the Grim Wreaker, ending up outside the door to his own chambers. He stares at it glumly for a moment before opening it and stepping inside the dark room, the door sliding shut behind him. His hand is guided from memory, reaching through the blackness to switch on the light.

Once his eyes have adjusted, the first thing he catches site of is a familiar piece of clothing draped over a chair on the other side of the room. He goes over to it, reaching out to grasp the purple material. While running his hands over the sleeves of his cape, he tries to recall the last time he'd actually worn it. He looks up and over at the full length mirror hanging from the wall, eyeing his reflection's appearance with a mixture of emotions.

He moves to stand in front of it, still holding what had once been a symbol of his presence; the mere sight of this cape had become a clear sign of his arrival anywhere in Cyberspace, striking fear into the citizens of the site he'd set foot on. Whenever he'd worn it, something powerful built up within his system, a feeling of superiority and control. It was a feeling that he'd never gotten while working under his employer and creator Doctor Marbles, as well as the ever watchful and judging eyes of Motherboard.

Everyone in Cyberspace, including the Earthlings constantly foiling his plans, had always seen him in this cape while gallivanting about the other sites, attempting hostile takeovers whenever the opportunity presented itself. The only individual who'd rarely seen it was Ivy. At first, he'd simply stopped wearing it because it constantly got in the way of daily tasks involving being a full time parent. But despite this being his excuse, having it on around her just felt unnatural, like she wasn't meant to see him the way he'd always been. The scourge of Cyberspace; The Infamous Hacker.

A sigh escapes him as his expression hardens, the cloak now giving him a feeling of unsettlement. Other than his daughter, his reputation had become a constant notion on his already stressed mind. It had even haunted him in his sleep, unable to get a moments peace since the day that green smoke had snaked through the Grim Wreaker. Things hadn't felt quite right due to such a drastic change. After he'd finally accepted the fact that he was now a father, it was more than expected that things would be much different in the Northern Frontier with little Ivy now in the picture. But out of all the changes that would take place, he hadn't counted on it including the one thing that had always mattered most to the oppressive cyborg;

Who he was, and who he'd always planned on being.

Hacker tosses the cape back on to the chair before sitting down on it, leaning forward to put his face in his green hands, rubbing at his tired eyes. It was a difficult decision that he wasn't too thrilled on making. But if it meant the difference between keeping her in his life or losing her to his enemies, then any mental anguish he was putting himself through was the least he was willing to sacrifice.

Lifting his head up, he looks to his right, eyeing the nightstand next to his bed. He stares at it for sometime before finally reaching out to open the top drawer. He quietly sifts through various things before his hand finally closes around the small item he'd been searching for. Hacker brings his hand back down in front of him, staring intently at what's in the palm of his hand, his solemn expression unchanged. After a moment, his fingers close around the small electronic device, pushing his fist against his forehead.

"What am I going to do?" Hacker asks aloud in a defeated tone, his voice in a whisper as his eyes close tight. "I just don't know what to do-"

A soft knocking at the door interrupts his brooding as he snaps his head up, eyes now wide. He stares unmoving at the closed door. "What?" he barks angrily, though there's a trace of fear. "What is it?" He's even more surprised at the response he receives from the other side.

"Hacker?" came a feminine voice. "Is everything alright?"

"Um-" He jumps to his feet. "Yes! Yes, I'm fine. I was just-" He nearly swallows his words at remembering what he currently had in his possession. He quickly replaces it in its previous hiding place, still rather wary of letting anyone know of its existence, and whether or not he would be using it. Especially her. "Um, getting a bit of shut eye, is all! Jus-Just a moment!"

He moves to the door, doing a double-take of his nightstand, cursing at leaving the drawer ajar. In one fluid motion, he leaps over to it, slamming it shut, then bounding back to the door, just as the access button had been pressed from the outside, sliding open to reveal the worry stricken face of The Wicked Witch.

"Wicked!" he blurts, immediately feeling awkward while standing at attention. "I, uh, didn't think you'd still be awake at this hour. Isn't it, rather late?"

She stares at him before giving her slender wrist a quick glance. "It's seven-thirty in the morning."

Hacker blinks. "Oh." He states, looking over at the time displayed on the clock in his room, raising his brow in surprise. "So it is."

Wicked cocks her head to the side, still showing concern. "You didn't actually stay in that lab all night, did you?" she asks, looking him over. "You look terrible."

He shrugs, stating somewhat proudly, "sleep is just one of the many sacrifices a genius must make in order to get results, my dear."

She gives him a small grin. "Too worried to sleep, huh?"

He is about to protest, instead slumping forward, his exhaustion nearly taking over as he leans up against the door frame. He nods.

Wicked looks on at him for a moment, rubbing at her arm. "So…how'd it go in the lab? Is there anything else that can be done?"

Hacker sees the trace of anxiety in the woman's eyes. It'd been there ever since he'd explained to her what exactly it was that Ivy needed in order to survive. Deep down he knew that he cared for her, and that she had the same feelings for him, though she rarely ever showed it. This being one of the few times she'd actually expressed concern for his safety, rather than just Ivy's. He wanted to eventually talk to her about what was happening between them…if only the timing was better.

Dropping his gaze down to the floor, he shakes his head once. "No. I went over every possible scenario involving the type of energy she would need…none of it would last very long…giving her mine is the only way."

She nods in understanding, eyes almost glazing over. "So then…there's still the possibility that you…you could-"

"Yes…there is."

"But, you're sure that," she continues, voice shaking slightly. "There's nothing I can do that-"

"Wicked," he interrupts, bringing a hand up to her cheek to wipe away the single tear she'd failed to hold back. "It's alright. I've already told you that you'll be fine. She doesn't-"

"I'm not worried about myself, Hacker!" She almost yells, grasping onto his hand. Gazing up at him sadly. "What about you?"

He doesn't respond right away, only taking in the woman's mixture of emotions as she fights to keep back the rest of her tears. The Wicked Witch had always been a mystery to him. One minute she would be threatening to turn him into a toad because he wasn't worth the trouble of being in a relationship…the next she was a dedicated friend and colleague, and displaying what he'd always assumed was her own way of showing affection. Despite her confusing behavior, he'd always been able to read her.

But now, as she gazes up at him, eyes reflecting the light from the room, he sees something new. She'd never been like this around him before. At first he'd thought all her concern was for Ivy's safety. But apparently the girl wasn't the only one who held a special place in her heart.

Hacker gently stokes her cheek with his green hand, forcing a small smile for her. "Wicked," he began, his voice low and comforting, the sudden show of warmth causing her eyes to widen in surprise. "I…need you to promise me something."

She blinks a few times, tears involuntarily falling from her eyes. "What?"

Hacker takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He needed to word this carefully. "Seeing as how there's a chance that I…that I won't, um…" He pauses, giving an awkward cough, hoping to clear up the tense feeling building up in his chest.

"Hacker," she says quietly, getting closer to him, no longer fighting to hold back her tears.

"Will you, make sure that, Ivy is looked after?" He feels his own eyes beginning to sting. "Just…make sure she's, safe…and happy." He nods once, now struggling to keep his own emotions in check. "There's no reason for her to grieve over someone like me, and…and neither should you-"

She shakes her head frantically, her expression now filled with dread. "Oh, Hacker please, don't talk like this, please-

"Promise me." Though he'd interrupted her, his tone hadn't risen, still just as sincere. "You're the only person that I can truly count on to do this…just, promise me that you won't let anything happen to her." He pleads to her with glazed eyes. "Please, Wicked…I need you."

It was at this moment that he'd realized just how desperate he'd sounded, as well as how close he and Wicked had come to one another. After this last request, they'd both gone silent. At first he'd taken it as a sign that she was taking this into consideration. But now, as he cups her face in his green hands, their eyes lock. There were so many emotions built up behind hers that it was almost too much for the villain to bear.

She doesn't respond, only blinking up at him, allowing him to pull her closer. He brings her head up more, her lips just inches from-

"Boss…Hey, Boss?"

Hacker and Wicked groan almost in unison. He doesn't look away from her as he reaches out to the wall in his room, pressing down on a small button. He gives a sigh before speaking to the intercom.

"Yes, Buzz, what is it?"

"Sorry, Boss. But ya said ya wanted us tuh tell ya when we got to Motherboard's."

Hacker couldn't help giving Wicked a smirk as Wicked forces a grin, her face now a light shade of red.

When there's no answer, Buzz's voice comes from the speaker yet again, more hesitant this time.

"I'm, uh…not interrupting you, er anything. Am I, Boss-"

"No, Buzz." He says, watching as Wicked stares down at the floor, averting his gaze. "I'll be there in a moment."

The voice that speaks next is Delete, as always too excited to control what comes out of his mouth. "No problem, Boss. Piece uh cake! We got it all handled, so-"

"Dee Dee, gimme back duh microphone! It's my job tuh let Hacker know if we're there yet!"

"You always get to talk into the PA system. When do I get a turn!

"Stop bein such a baby, Delete!"

"I will whenever you stop being such a jerk-"

"Perfect timing, Boys. As always," Hacker grumbles, locking eyes with Wicked, his gaze almost apologetic. He releases the button, putting an end to the childish squabble.

He stares at her for a moment, thinking of what to say in order to make things a little less awkward. Something finally comes to mind, but she beats him to it.

"You'd better go…the way they fight we'll probably end up on the opposite side of Cyberspace in only a few minutes." The red had gone from her face, but there was still a hint of embarrassment about the way she gazes up at him. "And we really don't have that kind of time."

He forces a grin. Once again things just weren't going the way he'd like them to.

Wow! You could cut the tension between these two with a knife! Stay tuned to find out what happens at Control Central.

Chapter 11 is just about done. Be patient...we're almost at the end!