Max didn't hear anything from Clio until two days later, in a way she didn't expect.

            Upon awakening one morning after helping Logan track down a blood sample of Aurelius Parvo (it wasn't easy), Max was rattled from her semi-conscious state by a loud rapping on the front door. She buried her head under the pillow and told herself it wasn't happening and waited for Original Cindy to get it. When her roommate didn't revive, Max was forced to drag herself from beneath the covers and answer the door, screaming,

            "All right! All right! I'm coming! Ruin my morning why don't you?!"

            She swung open the door in anger with such power it nearly came off. Astonished, she saw no one was there. Max looked up and down the hall with fire in her eyes, trying to catch sight of the thief who stole her extra two hours of sleep before she had to go and face Normal for the day. She then heard a soft whimpering sound, like a puppy or kitten nearby. Max looked down and her eyes popped out of her head: lying in a white bassinette, was a baby. A living, breathing baby—a child, wearing a pink and white bunting, a white knitted cap and pink booties. She had red, chubby cheeks and some strings of dark hair were poking through her cap. Next to the bassinette was a blue and yellow diaper bag that looked bulgingly heavy. Who in their right mind would leave their baby with Max of all people? Max was confused until she saw a white envelope tucked into one side of the bassinette. She opened it with caution and read the letter inside:

            Dear Max,

                        I express regret for any hassle this might have caused you. Yet when you said if you could do any favor for me in return of helping you with Parvo, I knew you had to be the one to take care of my little Sofiya. Especially since you were a fellow X5.

            In case you were wondering, which you most likely are,  yes—Sofiya is a product of a copulation right before you successfully burned it to the ground.  I cannot name her father in this particular letter. She's my little sunshine angel, but for now she's in great danger, as am I, which is why I must go away and leave Sofiya with you. All though you doubt me, I swear to you Max, the truth will come out sooner or later.

            Take care of yourself and Sofiya for me.

                        Sincerely,

                                    Clio

            The letter fluttered from her hand and onto the floor. Max stared disbelievingly at the baby, who was sleeping and mumbling to herself.

            "Well, Sofiya," Max raised an eyebrow. "Looks like I'm your baby-sitter."

            Slipping the letter and envelope into her bra, she carefully picked up the baby in her bassinette with one arm, grabbed the diaper bag with the other and took it all inside, closing the door with her foot.

            "Hey, Cindy!" Max called towards the bedroom, setting Sofiya down on the kitchen counter and plopping the diaper bag next to her and plopping down on a chair herself.

            "What?" answered her roommate groggily.

            "We got company!"

            "Hang on. Let a girl get decent!"

            A minute later, Original Cindy emerged. It took her a couple of seconds to realize Sofiya in her bassinette. Her eyes widened in bewilderment. "Boo when you said you were busy with Logan last night, you were really biz-ay, weren't you?"

            "How many times do I have to tell you we're not like that?" Max fired. "Anyway, read this." She thrust Clio's letter at Original Cindy and peaked inside the diaper bag. It was filled with pretty much what she expected: diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, bottles, formula, blankets and a soft little brown teddy bear.

            "Boo, you gotta get to this chica and tell her you ain't gonna play Mary Poppins while she boundin' over the fens like some sorta mother crazy soul-searcher."

            Max stared a while at her friend, "I see your lips moving, but I have no idea what's coming out."

            "What I'm sayin' is you should be gettin' paid."

            "I can't ask Clio to pay me, Cindy. I told her I'd return a favor for her and if she thinks this a suitable favor to ask of me, I have no qualms."

            Sofiya woke up and began to wail.

            "Boo, do you have any idea how to take care of a baby?" Original Cindy asked.

            Max looked at Cindy, then shifted her gaze to the screaming Sofiya and went back and forth until she blurted, "You really think this is the right time to ask?"