This time I have a good reason for being late ...

Nicholas Raphael

Born 10/13/2018

12:56am 7lb 7oz

Seriously, I went into labor the day after I posted the last chapter. The next few weeks are kinda a blur, but I got started on this chapter as soon as my brain caught up with the rest of me. However, I have discovered that my writing speed has dropped significantly since becoming a mom - probably because I typed this while holding my baby. Anyway, I hope it was worth the wait.

Sadly, my previous beta has become too busy with work and school to continue. So, I would like to thank my new beta, Angelic Jedi98, for taking the time to help me out.

This chapter is dedicated to Dragondancer81 for coming up with the challenge word.

Enjoy ...

R is for Robot

Kayo ducked as a metal arm swung over her head. Stepping to the side, she struck with her elbow and the robot ground to a halt. With her opponent defeated, she straightened up and moved over to where Brains was standing at a computer display.

"Forty-five seconds," he reported. "Not bad."

"It's still too easy."

The engineer frowned and returned to his calculations. The two of them had been working on an automated combat training dummy for her, but it wasn't effective unless it actually provided a challenge. Advising Brains to require more than two direct hits to stop the robot, Kayo left him to his programming. After all, she had better thing to do with her time than to stand around and watch him work.

"Hey, Kayo!"

Turning around, she saw Alan jogging toward her. As much as she enjoyed time with her honorary brothers, the sight of him made her eyes narrow. He rarely looked that excited to see her, unless he had gotten some idea in his head about pitching in with her job.

"Whatever it is, the answer is no."

"I haven't said anything!"

"You didn't have to."

The pout gave it away. He was going to ask for something he shouldn't have. Typical. Not wanting – or usually needing – to repeat herself, Kayo continued on her way. Stopping by the kitchen for a bottle of water, she went to the living room to check in with John. He had been monitoring a few situations she was interested in-

"Kayo!"

Now what?

"Yes, Brains?"

"I think we did it," he said excitedly. "We found that if we took away the minimum hits and replaced it with a few vulnerable spots, the robot would be the challenge you were looking for."

While that sounded great, Kayo got a bad feeling about the situation. He kept saying 'we,' but she had only minor input on the project. There was a chance that he was referring to MAX, but something told her that wasn't the case.

"Brains, who helped you program the robot?"

"What? Oh, Alan did."

He kept talking, but Kayo was already walking away. That must have been what the kid wanted to ask her. When would he learn to listen?! Just as she feared, she found him in the workshop with the robot – although under the robot might be a more accurate description.

"Kayo!" he yelped, the word 'help' coming loud and clear in his tone.

Jumping in, she dealt a blow to the side of the robot's head, but that only made it pause. Turning sharply, it struck her in the lower back as she moved to shield Alan. Remembering what Brains said about the upgraded program, it took four more hits to find enough vulnerable spots the shut the thing down.

"Thanks," Alan sighed, wiping blood off his lip. "For a second there, I thought I was a goner."

"You still might be," Kayo replied, carefully straightening her sore back.

"Why do you say that?"

"You're bleeding."

The teen's eyes grew wide as the meaning of her words sunk in. Grabbing his arm before he had a chance to run, Kayo marched him to the stairs. Time to face the music.

^R^O^B^O^T^

Virgil had just sat down at his piano when he notice movement at the door. He gave it a quick glance as he placed his fingers on the keys. Alan must have done something pretty stupid to have Kayo leading him toward Dad's desk- was that blood?

"Virgil, you have a patient."

"I see that," he sighed, folding up his sheet music. "I'll meet you in the infirmary."

She nodded and pulled the teen back through the door. Following them downstairs, Virgil speculated to himself on what had happened this time. Gordon was out on a rescue, so half the mischievous stupid things he could have done were out. He remembered something about Brains testing something for Kayo, but most of what their resident genius came up with didn't cause a split lip. On the other hand-

Virgil's thoughts were cut off when he noticed something about the pair in front of him. There was something different about the way Kayo was walking. It looked like a slight limp, which in someone like his honorary sister meant a significant injury – anything less and she would never let it show. However, Alan was the one bleeding, so he was the first patient on his list. Maybe he could use that …

"Hey, Kayo, can you keep him from bolting while I patch him up?"

"Sure."

Great, now that she wasn't going anywhere, he could take care of Alan. Luckily, his injuries looked worse than they were. A split lip and some minor bruising were a small price to pay for the valuable lesson of why the combat training dummy was strictly for Kayo. Speaking of which …

"Ice packs on in the cupboard behind you and grab an extra one for me."

"What happened to you?" Kayo questioned with a frown.

"Nothing," Virgil replied, "but I was about to ask you the same question."

"Busted," Alan snickered.

Kayo shoot him a look that had him tossing the ice pack to Virgil before running out the door. The medic, however, was used to such reactions from his patients and wasn't going to let non-verbal threats keep him from doing his job. He simply launched into his standard line of questions to determine the type and severity of the injury. When he finally got Kayo to admit that she had taken a hit protecting Alan from his own teenage stupidity, Virgil was able to treat the bruising and prescribe 24 hours of light duty.

"That means no fights, with robot or otherwise," he clarified. "I'd also avoid any acts of revenge until at least the weekend. Agreed?"

"Fine." She caved. "That will give you time to restock your supplies."

Virgil just smiled and picked up his logbook, to record the treatments, while Kayo left the infirmary. Good thing she had yet to hear that Alan would be in England this weekend. Hopefully she will have forgiven him by the time he gets back. If not … well, Virgil had until Monday to get his supplies in order.

So, what do you think?

Feedback is always welcome, as are challenge words for S.

P.S. I don't normally like posting things that are too personal, but for the next couple weeks I'm going to change my profile pic to my new baby. (I kinda like showing off how cute he is. Do you blame me?)