Disclaimer: I don't own Jimmy Neutron.

"Sorry I'm late. I know I promised you, something just came up and I know that's not really an excuse but— " Jimmy tried to explain but he was interrupted by Macy.

"Nevermind that, mom said you wouldn't go...But I knew you'd come!"

"Too bad I didn't come in time to join you for the final game."

"Uhh, well just cheer for us then!"

Jimmy smiled, "Of course I will."

"I think we're starting," Henry remarked.

"Good luck!"

"On your mark, get set...GO!"

The children cheerfully pushed their moms, dads, brothers, and sisters so they could get a headstart. They have to climb on the slippery inflatable and claim a small red flag on top. Henry found it difficult to find his grip on the inflatable and kept on gliding down the slide as he was wearing smooth-soled shoes. His mind was also preoccupied, he was trying very hard to hide his lack of skill in physically challenging things as well.

"Henry hurry up! We're losing! There's only three flags left!"

Henry sensed Macy's frustration and no, he wouldn't let himself be humiliated in front of her. Suddenly a tall, leggy man dressed in khaki pants zoomed towards him and pushed him down the grassy floor.

"Ouch! That's gotta hurt...Henry are you okay though?" Macy couldn't leave her position, they weren't allowed to assist their family member in any way.

Henry groaned from pain. "I'm okay! And who was that?" He was still recovering from his fall. He grasped the side of his head.

"It's Jimmy! And he's got a flag!" Macy exclaimed.

Jimmy effortlessly skidded down the slide and took a hold of Macy's hand, the flag continuously waving as they ran together.

"They're gaining on us!" Macy remarked as she looked back. She spotted four more teams scurrying almost past them and if the others catch up, they would definitely lose.

Jimmy looked back. He lifted Macy and put her on the back of his shoulder. "Ohh this is fun, and much faster!"

"Almost there!" Jimmy sprinted towards the finish line. He finally felt the ribbon brush against his shirt and they finished second. Jimmy was panting, he didn't know where he got the sudden strength and endurance. Perhaps the sight of losing, his natural competitiveness, or even Henry's klutziness brought about it.

"And we have Macy Vortex and her...err, family member finishing in second place! Great job!"

Macy watched the others arrive at the finish line one by one as Jimmy put her down.

"Good job everyone! We hope you all enjoyed the last game of this year's family day! See you all in awarding, that will be in the gym at 6:30. Again, awarding will take place in the gymnasium at exactly 6:30. Thank you!"

Henry, Jimmy, and Macy finally went back to their spot. Cindy was completely surprised to see Jimmy with the two. She smiled to herself.

"Did you see us mom? Did you see us? Did you see us? I thought we were gonna lose, but Mr. Neutron ran so fast we actually got second! Second doesn't seem that bad anymore! And I heard the prize for the second placer is actually nicer than the first. I'm really hoping it's a bicycle, I always tell you that I've always wanted a bike right?" Macy beamed gleefully.

"Well I guess we'll just have to wait 'till awarding," Cindy smiled back. She glanced at Jimmy and saw him looking at her. They awkwardly looked away. At the sight of them, Henry raised an eyebrow.

"Hey, why don't we two play in the playground or field first, sounds good?" Henry suggested to Macy.

She discreetly looked at her mother and Jimmy, seeking their approval. Cindy nodded.

When the two left, Cindy sensed Jimmy was expecting her to say something. She picked up the picnic mat and started folding it. "I thought you weren't coming," she started.

"An emergency came up at work, I'm sorry. Let me help you with that." Jimmy was going to get the mat from Cindy when she stopped folding and finally looked at him. She was about to say something when she noticed someone terribly familiar in the back. She frowned in shock and dismay. Jimmy followed her stare and looked behind him.

"Well, well, if it itsn't Neutron and Vortex. I din't expect to see you guys here."

Cindy's eyes diverted to Jimmy and she saw him clenching his one fist, his eyes fixated on the man that just appeared out of nowhere. They forgot Macy mentioned someone named Danika Dean in her class, and the possibility that Nick could be nearby.

"Nick." Jimmy's eyes turned into narrow slits, fueled with annoyance and impatience. They forgot Macy mentioned someone named Danika Dean in her class, and the possibility that Nick could be nearby.

Nick inored him. He faced Cindy. "Is he the new father?" He gestured at the brunet.

Jimmy widened his eyes. He turned towards Cindy and she caught a glance of his piercing eyes. "You've done this before?"

Nick smirked. Considering that Jimmy knew he is the biological father of the child, he felt angered and exasperated by the remark. He felt insignificant, like some sort of a second choice, a back-up.

"No! I've never!" Cindy, seeing how Jimmy was easily affected by Dean's presence, was very careful with her words.

"I mean, you're a single mother right?"

Cindy's eyebrows curled in irritation.

"What are you trying to say Nick? That I can't provide for my own daughter?" Cindy retorted defensively.

Nick ignored her. "Although, I must say they look very much alike, don't you think so too, Cindy?" He turned to glance at Macy, who was still in the open field.

"Well I believe that's actually how it's supposed to be. Like father, like daughter." Jimmy gulped before continuing. "My blood runs in her bloodstream."

"Oh really? It's not like you three are real!" Nick scoffed. "I know you two, you would do everything just to create a perfect image of everything in your lives even if you know you can't."

Jimmy was about to say something back, when Cindy butted in. "Jimmy it's fine. He doesn't know anything. Nick cut it out! Jimmy let's go." Cindy pulled him away from the ebony-haired Latino. Jimmy glared at Nick before he was completely pulled away from him. "I'm warning you Dean, stay away from them." He muttered between clenched teeth. He then took a deep breath.

Nick pursed his mouth in a smug smile.

"Where's Macy? And that Henry guy?" Jimmy attempted to lighten the mood. He looked around, when he suddenly felt Cindy's hand on his shoulder.

"Listen, I really appreciate what you did earlier."

"That was nothing. You know it's just the old Nick being a douche once again. I didn't expect to see him here, though. I thought it was very unlikely."

"Not just...that. You know, you coming here, trying to catch up and all. It's been a long time since I've seen Macy laugh like that." Cindy smiled and she continued folding the checkered picnic mat.

Jimmy was taken aback. He thought Cindy would burst once she saw him. But she's doing quite the opposite. Maybe Macy's right. Maybe Cindy has really changed. She didn't even nag him or reprimand him for his actions! Will that day even come again? Maybe he didn't know her completely. Even if he has already spent most of his lifetime with the blonde, surely after ten years, there would be moments when he would feel distant from her. And this is one of those moments.

He smiled back before speaking again. "You know, I'm really not feeling that Henry kid. Why does he keep on chasing you? Doesn't he understand the meaning of the word 'no'?"

Cindy chuckled and placed the picnic mat on the ground. "It's fine, he knows his place. I've already told him that even if I were to get married, it wouldn't be to him."

Upon hearing Cindy's statement, Jimmy's cheeks grew red. "Besides, whatever happens, I'll always be bound to you, Neutron, one way or another...if you don't already know." Jimmy, knowing the full meaning of Cindy's statement, grinned.

At the sight of the two constantly and awkwardly flirting with each other, Henry held Macy's hand and walked faster towards them.

"Oh, you're here now," Cindy noticed Macy sweating profusely. "Macy get a bottle of water in the basket, you can't stay dehydrated."

"Okay."

Cindy took the box of utensils. "Now I'm gonna put this in there—"

"I'll do it!"

"I can do it!"

Cindy looked at the two masculine hands in front of her, positioned as if wanting to seek her attention. She groaned, "Why don't you two help Macy clean up the trash and the basket instead?"

After awarding, they decided it was time for them to head home. It's been a long and tiring day for all of them. For Jimmy, especially.

"I'm coming with you!" Henry cried out.

"What? No way you're coming with us!"

"Please?!"

"Cindy tell him off! I want to go home!" Jimmy whined.

"I'm gonna tell you off if you don't stop whining." She faced Henry. "What is your problem? You've never been this stubborn!"

"I just want to be with you!"

"Oh, here he goes again." Cindy rolled her eyes.

"Henry I think you should go home, we've already had a lot of fun today, maybe you can rest," Macy smiled half-heartedly.

"Such a lame pursuer." Jimmy mumbled under his breath.

Henry snorted.

Jimmy's Apartment

"You can wash up first, Macy and I are going to chat for a while." Jimmy nodded. He saw Macy limping subtly and took a mental note of it.

Bathroom

Jimmy POV

After all the happenings that have occurred, and the hints that I've dropped everywhere that yes, I know I'm his real and legitimate father, the real-est I can be, that yes, I try to initiate interaction with her now, why is Vortex still not saying anything?! It seems that she has no plans to do so anytime soon. Does she expect me to make the first move? To be the one to say "Oh yeah, I know you've been hiding something from me, intentionally. Oh yes, yes I know everything." Does she expect me to act just like that? I know that she's completely aware I'm not stupid. She can't manipulate me that easily. She can be adamant if she wants to, be vehement in keeping this set-up but Macy will eventually learn of the truth. The real truth. Why not do it now? If only I can do something or say something, anything even just a tiny, minuscule, and unnoticeable matter just to trigger Vortex. Damn it, this is vexing me! Ugh! I've got to think fast...

End of POV

Jimmy roughly brushed his teeth as he hatched a plan and formulated it in his head.

Hey guys here's the next chapter! I hope you got why Cindy said she would always be bound to Jimmy, one way or another. It's not because she was being OOC and being a sweety sweet character, of course she knows Jimmy is the biological dad in a way, that 'binds' her to him. And the Nick Dean has come! What troubles await the fragile family now that he's here? Will he even stir trouble? the next chapter will be a bit longer.