Almost an hour later, the group waited in the lobby of the Official Netbattler's HQ, waiting for Star to come down. On the way there, the group had experienced two of the shifts ProtoMan had felt the night before. After a quick call to Doctor Cossack, Chaud had relaxed; seemingly comforted that Cossack was on the case.

ProtoMan, however, remained uneasy. This had to do with his plan; the plan Star had no idea she was involved in! He had to tell her, and soon. Otherwise it could get out of hand.

A small ding sounded and the elevator doors across the lobby opened, allowing a worn out Starfire to enter the room. Allowing Sam to lead her to a seat, Star sighed.

"What's up Starry?" Bass asked, sitting beside his little sister, eyes full of concern.

Shaking her head, the blue-eyed Navi spoke. "T-They've taken me off the ShadowMan assignment."

"WHAT?" Sam cried. "That's outrageous! How could they do that? You're the best for this job and they know it! Why would they do this?"

The silver haired youth bit his lip. Like he suspected, this had to do with his plan.

Bass clapped his sister comfortingly on the shoulder. "Don't worry Star, we're not gonna make you leave. We're all working on this together, okay?"

Shooting a grateful look at Bass, Star rubbed her temples. "Didn't even give a reason WHY I was being taken off…"

After consoling Starfire, the group moved outside.

"Star, how about you and I spend the evening together? A girl's night out, hmm?" Suggested Sam who had a comforting arm around Star.

Chaud nodded. "That sounds like a good idea. We should spend a little time apart. I'll take Bass and Proto back to my house and we'll meet again tomorrow, how's that sound?"

Bidding the ladies goodbye, the boys climbed into the limo and headed for downtown. Staring out the window, Bass seemed distracted.

"What's eating you Bass?"

The Black Shadow looked over at ProtoMan, who was adjusting his sunglasses. He sighed. "Nothing really…I suppose I'm a little stirred up after seeing my dad, Starry getting taken off the assignment and us separating for the day."

Nodding, the silver haired Navi smirked. "And there's nothing wrong with that. You'll loosen up when we get to Chaud's."

Reclining into his seat, Chaud seemed pleased. "It's just us guys, so no more doing girly stuff."

Weakly chuckling, Bass winked. "Does this mean we get to walk around in our underwear?" He joked.

"Let's not go that far."

Holding up his hands in a gesture of submission, Bass began to laugh. "Just kidding! You know I'm kidding. I'm not queer or anything." Rubbing his crimson eyes, the youth smiled widely. "It's been such a long time since I spent quality time with a guy."

Feigning indignation, ProtoMan laid a hand over his heart. "What? Our time in the cave doesn't count? I'm hurt!"

The trio laughed and spent the remainder of the ride talking happily and trading insults about ShadowMan. Only when they pulled up to a tall skyscraper did the chatter cease.

Stepping out, ProtoMan looked up at the building. "Home sweet home."

A quick elevator trip later, the boys arrived in Chaud's personal living quarters. It was done mainly in blacks, whites and silvers.

As they walked through to Chaud's room, Bass made a low remark. "Kinda cold, don't you think?"

ProtoMan snorted. "It's not Chaud's choice, his father designed this whole building including the living quarters."

Leading into his room, Chaud allowed himself a small smile. "Welcome home ProtoMan."

One whole wall were glass windows that overlooked the city and some of the suburbs beyond. The room was long and rectangular, with Chaud's bed on a raised platform. A desk on the same wall was neatly arranged with textbooks, work, and several battlechips that had been taken apart. On the wall farthest from the door, there was another door that was ajar, revealing some clothes and shoes.

Bass went to the window immediately and stared out. "It's beautiful…" He murmured. "It's as if I could fly again."

ProtoMan smiled. "It's better than I imagined. And better than what I'd seen through the PET."

"Here," Chaud tossed his Navi a red towel with the Blaze crest embroidered on it. "Why not freshen up. The shower's through the closet, the only door in there. If you can't find it, try behind the…"

"…Vests." Finished ProtoMan, who headed off, slinging the towel over his shoulder.

Shaking his head in amazement that ProtoMan could finish his thoughts, Chaud turned to Bass, who was sitting cross-legged before the window. Striding over, he stood at Bass's shoulder. "Enjoying the view?"

The purple haired youth nodded dumbly. "I've never seen something so…so…breathtaking."

"My mother loved this room." Stated the white haired youth.

Looking up, Bass was curious. "I've heard you mention your father on many occasions, but never your mother." He stood and found that he had to look down at the Netbattler. "Why? Are your parents divorced?"

Still staring out the window with impassive eyes, Chaud shoved his hands in his pockets. "No. She died just after I was born."

For once, Bass was taken aback. "Oh, I'm sorry, I never knew…" He was quiet, putting his hands in his pockets. "I know what's that like." When Chaud gave Bass a skeptical look, Bass began to explain. "Well, not really. I mean, I was created and you were born…Cossack was never married so there wasn't really a Mrs. Cossack to be my mom."

"Would you like to see my mom?" Without waiting for a reply, Chaud strode over to his nightstand, pulled open a drawer and extracted a picture frame. Returning, he handed the frame to Bass, who accepted it silently.

The woman in the picture was indeed, beautiful. Her long black hair was swept back in a bun and she wore a pale pink kimono. A pair of deep blue eyes like Chaud's peered out from under long dark lashes and her lips were curled in the hint of a smile.

"You've got her eyes." Bass remarked, handing the frame back.

Smiling just a little bit, Chaud put the picture back. "You think?"

"Yeah. It's just a recessive gene. Like with Navis, the dominant eye color is green or brown." Smirking, Bass turned from the window. "Wonder how recessive red must be?"

Later, Bass returned from the shower, rubbing a towel over his damp purple hair. "Is that food I smell?" He called, closing the door to the bathroom behind him.

"No, you're smelling the pollution. Of course it's food! Hope you like takeout."

Chaud and ProtoMan were sitting on the boy's bed, with a spread of food before them.

Sliding onto the bed, Bass picked up his chopsticks. "Ooh, dibs on that egg roll."

ProtoMan chuckled as best he could while chewing some rice. Swallowing, he looked around. "I thought your dad was a health nut Chaud. Where is he?"

Shrugging, Chaud shook the sleeve of his red cotton pajamas back from his hand. "On a business trip to England, remember? Supposed to make some huge deal with another company. He won't be back until some time next week, maybe later."

"Does your dad always leave you by yourself when he's got business?" Asked Bass while sifting through the cashew chicken.

Helping himself to rice, Chaud smiled bitterly. "I'm not alone. There are housekeepers here. Mostly I spend my time with Sam."

ProtoMan sniggered, which earned him a retort from Chaud. "What're you laughing about ProtoMan? You're always over there with Starfire anyways!" The silver haired Navi fell silent.

Deciding to add to the embarrassment, Bass nudged Proto gently. "So, when're you proposing Romeo?"

Chaud gagged on a noodle, prompting ProtoMan to start before giving a reply. "We're a little young for that, don't you think?"

Nodding, Chaud coughed. "Hear hear."

Acting casual, Bass shrugged, chopsticks in one hand, food in the other. "I dunno, Navis are technically ageless so we could get married whenever. And if you're too slow, Starry might just break it off and decide to find another guy." Then he opened his eyes. "You know, I don't think it'd be too bad. Being related I mean."

Curious, ProtoMan set aside his food. "Are you…giving me your blessing?"

In an almost irritating fashion, Bass smugly grinned and shrugged. "I dunno. Am I?" Then the grin was transformed into a full-fledged smile. "Ah, go ahead. I've never seen two people more perfect for each other. Although mind you, the story was quite different when I first met you."

When the boys were ready to sleep, two cots were arranged and Chaud sat up in his bed, hand on the lamp. "Good night boys." He yawned before settling down. The light clicked off, leaving each to their own thoughts.