A/N: A short chapter, yes, but whatever. XD At least I didn't wait like...a month to get it out. XD Enjoy!

Chapter 10: The Secret Date

Bad idea! Bad idea! This was a very, very bad idea! That thought repeated over and over as I glanced through the window, hand poised to knock. It was around 9 PM. My dad had thought I was asleep, and I was standing on a metal landing in front of Cora's window. Worst idea of all ideas, I thought, licking my dry lips. I gave a loud gulp and knocked with a trembling hand. I waited out there on the landing for about ten seconds before the window opened and Cora's face appeared.

"Astro? What're you doing here?"

I scratched the back of my head nervously. "Well, I…thought…we could… You know, have a secret date?" I smiled at her. "Maybe…?" Cora blinked in surprise. Crap, that might have been too forward, I thought, swallowing. "I mean, if you want to, of course. It's not like I have anything else to do, but I was just wonder—OW!" Cora had punched me in the shoulder.

"Of course I want to, you idiot." She smiled at me. "I'll just get something warmer on real quick." Cora hurried over to her closet and picked out a black jacket, hurrying back over to me. "Okay, so…where are we gonna go?"

I shrugged. "Well, I was kinda thinking maybe…Metro Park…? I-if that's okay…"

"Haha, okay." Cora rushed to the back of her room and flicked off her light. "There, so my parents will think I'm asleep," she whispered, walking back towards the window and climbing out.

"Good plan," I whispered back with a smile, turning around and holding out my hands behind my back. "Okay, now just hop up and I can take us there." Cora eyed me with suspicion and I looked back, raising an eyebrow. "What?" I asked.

"Are you sure you can hold my weight?" she asked. "I mean, you're a human now. You don't have your super strength anymore."

"Uhh…" I hadn't thought of that. "I'm…pretty strong still!" I defended. "I mean, maybe not weight-lifting champion kind of strong, but… Well, you know what I mean."

"Do I?" Cora joked, but she climbed on my back nonetheless. I was surprised by how light she was, compared to what I'd been expecting.

"Oh, wow," I said, hefting her farther up onto my back. "You're lighter than my backpack, haha."

She snickered at my joke. "Can your…rocket power thingy hold us both up, too?" Cora asked.

I shrugged. "Let's test it out." I hopped into the air and began to hover, the blue energy surging around my shoes.

Cora let out a yelp of surprise, but she started smiling. "Oh, this is cool! Okay, let's go!" she said excitedly.

"As you wish, m'lady," I said, mocking a British accent. We took off into the air, flying higher until we were above Metro City. I angled my body towards the Park, speeding towards it like a rocket.

"WHOOOHOOO!" Cora shouted. "THIS IS SO FUUUUN!"

"I'm glad you think so!" I yelled back to her as we neared our destination. Cora let out one more whoop of joy before we landed on the ground. I let Cora drop down off my shoulders and she wobbled slightly.

"Whoa…" she murmured, regaining her ground legs. "Oh, Astro, that was so awesome!" she exclaimed, hugging me.

I blushed under her hug with a surprised look on my face. "Uh…you're welcome?"

"Heh." Cora let me go. "So, what were you planning on us doing here?"

I frowned. "Uh…just…um…hang out, I guess?" I scratched my head. "I hadn't really thought that far…"

"Well, that's okay," Cora said, sitting down on the same bench as before. "We can just think of something, right?"

"Right!" I answered with a smile. I sat down next to her, and for a moment we were silent.

"Sooo…what do you want to talk about?" Cora asked.

I shrugged. "Umm, how about…er, what's your favorite movie?"

"Well, I love the movie Percy," she replied, looking up at the stars. "I love all the action in it and everything."

I chuckled. "An action movie? Nice! I haven't seen that one yet," I sighed.

"Yeah, it's about these two guys who are fighting over a piece of land, and it's guarded by a mystical dragon…" She shook her head. "You'd have to watch it to get it."

"Haha, okay then," I laughed, relaxing in my seat.

"What's your favorite movie?" Cora asked.

I frowned, thinking. "It would have to be…er… Um…hmm…"

"What, too many to say?" Cora grinned.

"N-no," I said. "I have a favorite…but you'll think its ridiculous."

"Oh, c'mon, try me." Cora crossed her arms.

I blushed, looking away. "It's an older one…and by older, I mean older. Like when movies were just coming out."

"Seriously? Which one?"

"The Iron Giant."

"That one?" she giggled.

I sighed. "Told you it was ridiculous…"

She placed a hand on my shoulder. "Naw, I think it's cute!"

I blinked, looking over at her. "Y-you think it's…cute? I-I'm sorry, did I hear you right?"

"Yeah? What would you rather me say?" Cora asked innocently, cocking her head.

"Well, it's just that…" I chuckled. "You never think things are cute."

She laughed. "Oh! Well, it's just…well…you…" She broke off, looking into my eyes.

I blushed violently and looked away. "Yeah, well, er…" We sat there awkwardly for a moment, looking away from each other.

"So…" Cora started.

"Uh…" I took another deep breath, looking at the starry sky for a moment. Just ask her, just ask her! I told myself. But what if it's not the right time yet? that little doubting voice in my head asked. Just get it over with already!

I gulped. "C-Cora?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?"

"Would you… Uh, hmm… Would you—" I broke off, looking away.

"Yeeaaaaahhh?" Cora raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "Whaaaat?"

"Uh…would you consider maybe, uh…b-being m—" I swallowed again. "My girlfriend, maybe?"

Cora blinked at me in surprise and I looked away quickly, sweat going down my forehead even though it was 60 degrees outside. "Sure! Why not?" she exclaimed cheerfully.

I whipped back around, surprised myself. "Y-you would?"

I got another punch to the shoulder. "Of course, you dope," Cora laughed, hugging me. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Hehe, well…I just thought that…no one would, you know? Since I'm such a freak…" I muttered.

"You're not a freak, Astro," Cora sighed, putting an arm around my shoulder and jostling me slightly. "You're a really good guy. And by really, I mean really."

I smiled at Cora with grateful eyes as she withdrew her arm from my shoulder. "Thanks, Cora," I said.

We started to lean closer…

Oh, my God! This is it! I screamed in my head as we closed our eyes. My first kiss!

Suddenly, lights blinded us and we flinched back in surprise. I squinted in the light, hearing a car door slam, and a figure appear in the lights. It was then that I realized it was my dad.

Oh…crap… I thought, paling. "H-hi, Dad," I mumbled, looking down.

Cora gave a sheepish wave. "Hi, Mr. Tenma," she said half-heartedly.

"Astro, what are you doing out here?!" he growled.

I flinched at his tone, but still faced the ground. "I just…wanted to…see Cora…" I mumbled sadly.

"Astro, you know you're supposed to be hiding out for a reason!" Dad said angrily. "You didn't even bring your suit with you for protection! If this happens again, I'll make sure you won't see your friend until the school year is over. Got it?"

I sighed. "I-I'm sorry…" I murmured.

"You better be, now come on. Let's go home," Dad said, motioning for me to come with him.

I walked forward slowly and turned slightly to look at Cora. "I'm sorry, Cora…"

"It's okay." Cora smiled, getting up from the bench.

"Should I bring you home, Cora?" Dad asked.

She shook her head. "Naw, I can walk home, it's fine," she said, starting her way down the path. "Bye, Astro."

"Bye!" I called back. I hopped into the car and Dad immediately drove away from the Park. I looked back through the rear window of the car, watching Cora walk away, her hands in her pockets. I sighed, turning back to stare at the ground.

"If this happens again…" Dad threatened.

"I know, I'm sorry…" I sighed.

Dad was quiet for a moment, looking at me with an even stare. "Do you have feelings for that girl?" he suddenly asked.

I blinked, looking away while blushing violently. "Um…um…uh…" I mumbled.

"I'll take that as a yes," Dad sighed, placing his head in his hand.

I gave him a look. "Wh-what's so wrong if I do have feelings for her?!" I asked defensively.

"Astro, you're 13-years-old. Maybe you should wait just a little bit before…you know, having a girlfriend, or whatever," Dad said.

"But I'm a teenager, what do you expect?" I asked.

"When I was your age, I was more focused on school," he said. "Girls weren't my top priority."

"But they aren't mine, either!" I whined. "I just really like Cora is all. I'm not a playboy or anything!"

Dad rolled his eyes. "Just at least try to focus on the important things? Like—oh, I don't know—ATLAS?!"

"But—"

"No buts about it, Astro!" Dad shouted. I looked away, glaring at my shoes. I heard Dad sigh. "I just don't want you getting hurt is all, son," he said softly.

"I know, Dad," I muttered.

It was quiet for the rest of the car ride home, and once we arrived, I hopped out of the car angrily, slamming the door shut behind me and stomping inside. Dad followed after me more slowly. I didn't want to wait for him in the elevator, so I took the flights of stairs. Once I reached the eleventh floor, the elevator to the right opened and Dad stepped out. I gave him a slight glare, but walked away to the door. I pushed the door open and ran to my room without saying anything to Dad, closing and locking the door behind me.

I jumped on my bed, flat on my stomach. Mixed emotions were coursing through me, and I let out a growl of frustration, a few tears running down my cheek. He just doesn't understand…! I thought angrily, my face in the covers and my fists clenched by my head. Maybe I'm being too hard on my dad… I suddenly thought. I mean, what if my kid was in danger of being killed…and still snuck out at night to see his friends? I sighed. Maybe my dad does understand…but he just wants me safe? I looked up and out the window. I'll just have to wait and see…

Cora sighed, walking home with her hands in her jacket pockets. Well, that was some date, she thought glumly. And I'd almost had my first kiss, too!

Cora looked up into the sky, seeing the many stars of the night shining down upon her, although there wasn't any moon. His dad was a little harsh on him… She sighed again, looking down at the ground in front of her feet. I hope he doesn't get in too much trouble… She continued on walking, and once she'd reached her home, climbed up the metal landings on the side of her house so her parents wouldn't know she'd been out. She got back into her room with no trouble, sounds from the TV in the living room echoing through the house.

Suddenly, Zane burst into her room. "Where've you beeeen?!" he whisper-shouted. "I came up looking for you earlier, but you weren't here!"

Cora froze, looking away. "I was, uh…"

"Ohhhhhhhhh!" He smirked, nodding. "You were with Astro, weren't ya?"

"No! Maybe…? Yes…?" Cora said, chuckling nervously. "B-but we were just talking."

"Just talking?"

"NO! I-I mean, yes!" Cora stammered with a nervous chuckle.

Zane crossed his arms. "Sounds to me like you had a fun time."

"Y-yeah, it was…fun… Well, until his dad showed up," Cora said under her breath.

"Ohhh, jeez!" Zane laughed. "You two were kissing, weren't you?"

"We were about to…" Cora mumbled.

"Well then I'm glad I wasn't there!" Zane said. "Anyway, is Astro busted now?"

"Yeah, he's busted…like majorly," Cora replied, sitting next to Zane. "His dad was mad…very mad."

"Ouch…" Zane cringed. "I feel sorry for him."

"Yeah, but don't we all? I mean, the kid's been through a lot," Cora sighed.

"Going through a complete body change…" Zane murmured. "That's gotta be tough. That's like if you were human, wishing you were a robot. Now wouldn't that be weird?"

"Yeah…" Cora glanced out the window. "It would be weird."

Zane gave a huge yawn and stood up, stretching. "Well, I dunno about you, but I think I'm gonna hit the pack," he said.

"It's sack, Zane." Cora rolled her eyes.

"Whatever!" Zane scoffed, rubbing his eyes and heading for the door. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah…tomorrow…" Cora sighed as Zane left.

Heckler opened the door to his new apartment, closing it behind him and ripping the wig off his sweaty bald head. "Oh, thank goodness I can take this thing off," he moaned, throwing it on a coffee table. He plopped down onto his couch and instantly turned on the TV, but it wouldn't turn on. He clicked the button furiously, but gave up after a few minutes, throwing the remote away. "Piece of junk," he muttered.

The phone suddenly beeped, and with an attitude, he went to go answer it. A dark figure appeared, meaning that the line was blocked, but nonetheless, Heckler knew who it was.

"Idiot, you're not wearing your wig!" Stone growled, his voice a little recognizable.

Heckler rubbed his bald head, frowning. "Oh," he grunted.

"What if I was someone else calling, huh?"

"Well…then I'd be in deep doo-doo, Sir," Heckler replied.

"STOP CALLING ME SIR!" he shouted, making Heckler flinch. Stone cleared his throat. "Did you find out anything about Astro?"

"No, but the house-bot sure made good food," Heckler replied with a dope smile.

Stone made a motion as if he were pinching the bridge of his nose, but it was hard to tell since you couldn't see him clearly. "You idiot…though, maybe that was better, actually…" Stone started mumbling to himself. "He didn't start asking right away…less suspicious… Good work, Heckler!"

"Er, thank you, Sir," Heckler said. "I-I mean, just thank you. Forget the Sir, sorry."

"But ask something about it tomorrow, alright?" Stone said.

"Uh…"

"What?"

"I don't think I'm supposed to know that he's Cobalt. Or Astro, either. It's because they didn't say anything to me about that, and that his name was Toby Tenma."

"Oh…drat! That makes things a little more complicated." Stone rubbed his head. "Much more complicated… At least I know they will be in the Ministry of Science by tomorrow, if not the day after."

"He sure does have a loud stomach, I'll give him that," Heckler growled. "It kept on making noises while we were doing the lessons."

Stone ignored that last part as another black figure appeared. "I don't know why the heck we're doing this anyway," the other person said. "I mean, Astro's human, so he obviously has all the weaknesses a human does."

"You never know, since he used to be a robot," Stone growled. "Now go somewhere else, Atlas. I'm in the middle of an important discussion here!"

"Whatever." Atlas shook his head and disappeared.

Stone gave another growl. "Teens…" he muttered. "Make sure you can try to get some information by tomorrow, alright? But don't make your questions to conspicuous, otherwise you might give yourself away."

"Yes, Sir…er, what does conspicuous mean again?" Heckler asked, but Stone had already hung up. Heckler slouched. Darn.

Bright morning sunlight awoke me from my sleep, making me blink open my eyes and squint against the flare of the sun's rays. I sat up and gave a huge yawn, my eyelids drooping heavily. What a night…! I hadn't slept very well last night, but at least I hadn't had any nightmares. I stood up and stretched my limbs, my arms going straight to the sky. I smiled, turning off the alarm that was to wake me up. I hurried downstairs to go eat breakfast, and saw my dad eating at the table. I remembered yesterday with the strange caller, telling me that if I didn't go to the Ministry to be tutored, that they would harm my friends and family. I frowned as the memory swirled around my head. "Dad?" I asked.

"Ah, Astro, you're awake!" Dad turned around to face me. "Have a seat, I need to tell you something."

"Sure…Dad. Um, what is it?" I asked, sitting down in my seat while hungrily digging into the pancakes Orrin laid in front of me.

"I've decided that you're going to be moved to the Ministry of Science to continue your studies," Dad said. "It's much safer there."

I nearly choked on my pancakes. "I—you—um—" I gave another cough.

"Are you alright, son?" Dad asked, concerned.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. No biggie. I-it's just that…" I broke off. "Well, um…"

"Yes?" Dad pressed.

"Well…never mind. It's nothing. It was just a call from Cora and Zane, that's all," I chuckled nervously, playing with my food aimlessly.

"Er…alright, then…" Dad looked at me weirdly before returning to his breakfast.

I let out a slight sigh of relief, eating my pancakes. That was a close one. I don't want to worry Dad… Then he'll probably put me on the Surface, or something! Wild thoughts played in my head, and I frowned.

"Well, we're going to be leaving soon, so go pack your bag and things," Dad instructed, knocking me out of my trance.

"Kay…" I got up from the table and ran back upstairs to my room, grabbing a bag from my closet. I opened my drawers and started stuffing my clothes in there, some t-shirts and jeans, extra socks, etc. I went through my closet and brought out two jackets: my blue and red one.

I hurried out of my room and downstairs, meeting Dad by the door. He smiled at me. "Ready to go?"

I nodded, tightening my grip on my bag. "Yup!"

The doorbell suddenly rang. Orrin went to answer it, and my grouchy tutor stepped inside. "Oh, is he going somewhere?" Mr. Higginson asked gruffly.

"I thought I sent you a message to meet us at the Ministry," Dad said. "Did you not get it?"

"Oh? Oh, oh, you might have." Higginson took out the device from his pocket and began fiddling with it. "Sorry I wasn't, er… I don't use my phone much…"

I held back a laugh, but Dad eyed me with a glare. I instantly shut up. Higginson smiled. "Ah, there it is! Yes, sorry. I'll meet you two there." He turned around and waddled back out of the apartment, the door closing behind him.

I gave a loud sigh. "Of all the tutors, you had to pick him?" I complained.

Dad frowned. "He seemed fine enough when I interviewed him," he said. "Why?"

"He just… He acts like we're in the military, or something," I mumbled, glancing out the window. "Maybe he was, I don't know…" I readjusted my bag on my shoulder and headed out the door with Orrin and Dad following.

"He didn't mention anything about the military when I interviewed him," Dad replied, locking the door behind them as they hurried down the hall to the elevator.

"Well, he sure acts like it anyway." I shrugged, stepping into the elevator. Once we were out of the apartment building, Orrin got into the front seat of the limo and started it up, while Dad and I put our belongings in the trunk. My dad closed the trunk and smiled at me as we got in the backseats of the car. Annnnd we were off!

I suddenly gasped, once we were two minutes away from home. "Wait, Orrin, stop the car!" I yelped. "I forgot my suit!"

Orrin slammed on the brakes and pulled over so cars could pass. Dad sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I thought you had everything…"

"I thought I did, too!" I groaned. "I left it on the kitchen table!"

"On the kitchen—" Dad groaned, face-palming. "I knew I saw it somewhere!"

I laughed nervously. "Well…you know… Some things are just plain forgetful…hehe…"

The car turned around and we drove back to the apartment. I told Dad I'd be much quicker if I got it myself, and took the house keys and ran back inside the building.

Little did I know that our apartment had been broken into.

I gasped as the scene lay upon me. The apartment was a complete and total mess. Things were broken, pictures were falling off the walls, there was a hole in the ceiling, and even the water was left running! It was flooding onto the floor! I quickly hurried over and turned off the faucet, grabbing a towel and dabbing at the water puddle on the floor. "Who would do such a thing?!" I muttered as I dabbed. "It was probably Atlas… They must've been—" I broke off, freezing instantly, my eyes wide. "NO!" I whipped up and looked on the kitchen table.

My backpack was gone.

A/N: ._. Well then. That durned Atlas, right? Or was it Atlas? Hmmm *strokes fake beard* If you can guess who it was, I'll give you a cookie. XD Anyways, this story is slowly coming to an end...

You guys: WHAAAAAT!

Me: *flinches* Please don't kill me *cowers* XD Anyway, yeah. Me and Star think the story is ending, and the ending we have planned is pretty epic. So. I hope you guys will stick with it to the end! No, sorry to say there won't be a sequel to this story. It's just this one. Hehe... *anime sweatdrop*

Please review!