A/n: Forgive me for the wait :3

I was trying out the Stephen King method of writing, but I couldn't stay away for long!

This entire chapter was written as I listened to Hot Chip -o.0, yes, Hot Chip.

Also, poll on my page! :D

Love you lots like Vampire robots...

Oh, wait, not my catch phrase... -.-

Much love from a very "Grumpy Goy"

-AkashaIZ

Peter and Walter were now alone in the across from each other at one of the less sturdy of the lab tables. Astrid had been gone a good ten minutes now, and Walter began to wonder...

"Peter, what do you think of me?"

Peter looked at his father, " What do you mean?"

"I mean, as a person."

"Huh?" Peter scratched his head.

"If you didn't have to be around me... if you weren't my son, I'm saying; would you still want to be around me?"

Peter furrowed his brow, " Why does that matter? I'm your son, I don't have a choice in the matter."

"Let's say you did, let's say you aren't my son, for conversation's sake, Peter."

"Okay, then."

"Well, would you?"

Peter folded his arms, "... No... No I don't think so." He smiled.

"That's what I figured." Walter sighed, exasperation clear on his face.

"He-y, come on, I was just kidding."

"I'm not so sure." Walter rubbed at his face.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing."

"No really, I want to know, Walter."

"It's nothing, Peter." He sighed, " Just leave it."

There was no response from Peter for quite some time... So long, in fact, that Walter was a bit bemused when he finally did have something to say, "Walter, are you experimenting with drugs? Again?"

Walter snorted, " No."

"Well, let's see, this morning you couldn't wait to get here, we got here: you were jittery, and you weren't making sense-"

"Not making sense to you." Walter interrupted.

Peter nodded, " Well, I was the only other person here. That made two people who didn't know what you were talking about."

"Oh, ha-ha." Walter chided.

"Anyway, let me finish, I want to see if I have this right. So we got here, and you were antsy. Then you went to go help Astrid, and you came back all black clouds and lightening. When I got in just now you were looking in a much better mood, then I turned around and you were sullen, out of nowhere!"

Walter looked down at the tile, " So?"

"Well, there must be something pretty powerful messing with you're head, if it's not drugs-"

"It's not."

"-Then I probably really don't want to know what it is."

Walter chuckled, " It's nothing, Peter. "

Peter shrugged.

"On a separate note, hypothetically; let's say I met someone." He smiled.

"When?" Peter straightened up a tad.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

Walter rolled his eyes, " Recently. Don't worry Peter I didn't sneak out or anything."

"What kind of someone did you meet?"

"A special someone... But remember, this is hypothetical."

"... Okay.. and?" Peter was actually interested in what his father had to say, for the first time in about a week.

"Well, I want you to tell me what she is like."

Peter scratched at his stubble, " I don't know, probably insane."

Walter scoffed, " Be serious, Peter!"

"I don't know your 'type'."

"Fine, then. Let's say, hypothetically, the special someone was exactly like ... Oh, I don't know...Agent Farnsworth."

"No chance."

"What, why?"

Peter bit back a laugh, " Because Astrid has taste."

Walter's brow furrowed, " Are you saying I don't?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." Peter replied, smiling.

Walter frowned, folding his hands atop the desk, " Fine. But this is hypothetical, so go along with it."

"Hey!" Astrid happily greeted, holding her arms out for a hug.

"Hey, gorgeous!" Chester said, smiling slightly. He gave her a very warm hug.

"What're you doing here?"

"Oh, I just came to see if you got the flowers I sent."

"You sent those?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment, " There should have been a note that came with it... Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me tonight. I figured since you helped me through some lonely times, I'd return the favor. That is, of course, if you don't have anything else to do." He winked.

"No, of course not. I'd love to!" Then she realized she had spoken too soon.

What about Walter?

"Good!"

Astrid smiled in response.

" Oh, I haven't asked in a while, so how have you been feeling?" She asked.

"Alright, you know? The pain's still there, and I still miss him- but there's not much I can do. You helped me, a lot. I'm not sure how many times I've thanked you, but it isn't enough. " He gave her a peck on the cheek.

"I didn't help all that much."

"Are you kidding! Without you I'd probably be broke somewhere in Vegas! Strippers and white tigers all around!"

Astrid giggled, " That doesn't sound that bad, actually."

"Yeah well, that or dead. I mean, my mind still goes to dark places every so often... but other than that, I'm fine..."

Astrid nodded. " Good."

Chester patted his coat down, " Shoot, I forgot my lunch buddy! Would you care to replace her?"

Astrid smiled, " Oh, so I'm second choice?"

"Only to Astrid, darling. She's in another league entirely."

She looked back at the desk clerk, and mouthed "lunch" before leaving with Chester. Giggles and smiles all around.