Part 2

Chapter 25 Baby Dilemma

Japheth had left for home to his family and left Ziggurat and Bosswoman in the same room. The baby continued to squirm in his grasp as if she was about to cry.

"I can tell you haven't been around babies often. You might've somehow stopped her from crying, but that's where it ends."

"And you of all people suddenly become an expert on babies?"

"I had to take care of Japheth, you know, as uncompassionate as I may seem. Come, let me hold her."

Ziggurat looked at her critically, but she looked helpless lying there in bed with plenty of bandages around her head. Her presence was no longer threatening. She struggled to sit up until he walked over to help her; she didn't seem to mind. As gently as he could, he handed her the baby.

"Well, ain't she cute?" said she to Ziggurat as she looked at the baby.

It was a rhetorical question; Ziggurat said nothing. He watched as she played with the baby. Often she would fool around with the baby's small fingers and tickle her small feet. She would lift her up and pretend as if she could walk. The baby would laugh at her antics and reach for her nose playfully. They became tired after a while; the baby was the first to fall asleep. She lay on her lap.

"So, tell me, where did you find her?"

Ziggurat sighed, "That isn't the easiest question to answer."

"Then don't answer it. Just…tell me, did you steal her?"

"No, no, I would never do something like that."

"Good, that's all I need to know."

She looked at him with a smirk, "You don't expect to care for her on your own, do you?"

"Right now, I don't know what to do."

"You can start by feeding her. The poor thing is hungry, when was the last time she ate?"

"Eat? Aw, damn. I completely forgot!"

Bosswoman, amazed by Ziggurat's display of emotion, was momentarily speechless, but she pulled herself together.

"Wait, hey, Ziggurat, I'm going to give you some money. Get me a pen and paper. I'll write down a list of items to buy at the grocery store."

Ziggurat took immediate action and sprinted to the front desk to get a pen and paper and gave it back to Bosswoman. Soon she scribbled down a long list of all the things a baby would need. She handed it to the surprised cyborg who thought the list rather long.

"No one said taking care of a baby would be easy now," said Bosswoman as she watched his surprised reaction.

"No one told me anything."

"Well, welcome to the real world. Now, catch," said she as she tossed him her house key.

Ziggurat caught it, "What's this for?"

"To get into my house, you dodo bird," said she with some of her old vehemence.

"Bring the groceries to my house; it's on Forest Lane, the big blue one,"

Ziggurat took another long look at the baby.

"Go on, get going and while you're at it; think of a name for your baby for Christ sake. We can't just keep calling her baby!"

The cyborg nodded and that was the end of it. As he left, Angela sighed. Am I the only one who thinks this weird? Strange things have been happening with that cyborg since that last mission. He's so mysterious that even the pope is asking questions. And this baby…she seems so uncannily comfortable with Ziggurat that maybe…just maybe…

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It was an odd sight to see a cyborg grocery shopping. Because the cyborg had not been in a grocery store for ages it took him much longer to get everything. Also, because he was on foot, he made several trips back and fourth to Angela's house. Ziggurat was no longer bothered by the rude stares; as long as they kept their distance there would be no problems.

If he was a human, the task would be tiring, but he had the increased stamina of a cyborg. In about two hours, it was complete and the cyborg found that he was glad of this fact.

He walked down the porch steps of Angela's house. The house truly was large; the cyborg found this odd because she lived alone. She would have no need for so much space.

Just as Ziggurat's thoughts passed over these things a hover car pulled up to the curb in front of him. As it came under a street light, the cyborg recognized the car. The pope stepped out of the car and saw Ziggurat straight off.

"Fancy meeting you here, Ziggurat."

"Likewise."

"Did you come to visit…her?" asked the pope realizing that he didn't know her name.

"Who? Angela?"

"Of course, of course, Angela," said he with a pleasant smile.

"No, but she gave me her house key to get in."

"She is not here?"

Ziggurat was testing the pope and watching carefully his reaction to his next reply.

"No, she is at the hospital."

"Hospital, good gracious! Why?"

"It would be better to ask her yourself."

"I suppose you're right. Do you need a ride?"

"That is okay. I'll manage on my own."

"I bet you will, Ziggurat," said the pope stepping into the hover car.

Ziggurat watched as it whizzed off into the night. He presently sat down on the curb. I would hate to intrude…that is, if my predictions are right.

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"It's surprising to see you with a baby, Angela."

"Oh, she isn't mine," said she mysteriously and then her voice became lower, "She's Ziggurat's."

The pope had asked earlier what had given her such injuries and she answered readily. In return she had asked how he knew where she was. Her eyes had narrowed at the explanation and then finally the topic of the baby was brought up.

"He said this?"

"Surprisingly, yes, and very plainly."

"Odd," said he thoughtfully.

The baby was awakened by the sound of the new voice. She looked around for Ziggurat and when she realized that he wasn't there, she began to cry.

"What's wrong, baby?" asked Angela cooingly.

"What's her name, Angela?" asked he as he came to her side.

"She doesn't have one."

"What do you mean?"

"Ziggurat hasn't thought up one yet."

They tried everything in the book to quiet the baby, but she simply became hysterical.

"How in the world?" said the pope finally frustrated.

A familiar metallic presence sounded behind them; Ziggurat.

"Leah? Do you like that name?"

The baby quieted and looked at the cyborg teary eyed. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face. She began to squirm out of the pope's hold and the pope presently handed her to the cyborg. He noted the baby's strange obedience.

"So that's her name?" asked Angela.

"I suppose, if she likes it."

"How can ya tell, she's always obedient when you're around," said Angela.

"But she never smiles like that. Leah—see, look."

There was absolute delight in her eyes and those same eyes met everyone's gaze. The cyborg tone became considerably lower as he addressed the baby.

"Yes, Leah, you like that name, don't you? Leah…Leah wouldn't you like to know how I came about such a name? It's strange little one, but perhaps another time, Leah."

He went on as such to the baby repeating her name over and over. It was obvious that this one name was all she understood from what he said.

"Lee-ah!" cried the baby proudly.

One could tell that the cyborg was in a bright mood though one would never get a smile from him. The cyborg opened his mouth to ask something, but Angela answered before he could finish.

"Yes, Ziggurat, she's been fed. Don't worry about that."