Hello, everyone! It's good to be back!

I am so sorry it's taken so long for me to write this chapter. But after months of deliberation…and everything else I had to do…I have finally figured out how to continue from where I left off.

And now, I am proud to present…

Chapter Twelve

Casey MacCurdy never had a chance.

He never saw it coming.

For the past few days, it looked as though things were finally getting back to normal. His co-workers had actually stopped 'inquiring' about his sister. He was actually able to concentrate on his work…but this time, he couldn't. It took everything he had to contain his elation when Ro told him that she was going to enroll in correspondence courses during breakfast. He wanted to hug her and tell her how proud he was of her, but he knew better than to make a big deal out of it. Ro would never have forgiven him.

As lunch time approached, he was going to call home to see if Ro could join him for lunch again. He wanted to make up for what happened last time, and he also couldn't wait to hear how the enrollment went.

And then, it happened…

"Casey, could I see you for a moment, please?"

Casey's 'sweet, kind and wonderful' boss, Tom Jensen, came out of nowhere to appear at his desk. Lately, when it came to Casey, Jensen's face would read sheer disappointment. Casey was starting to get used to that look, but today it was different. Jensen looked straight at Casey showed no sign of disappointment at all. In fact, he looked rather…pleasant?

And that alone should have warned him.

The short walk to Jensen's office felt like the last mile. Casey could feel the eyes popping from the cubicles and office doors, while Jensen walked his usual casual pace; never once turning back to make sure Casey was still behind him. Casey had never seen him so calm and confident. He was definitely up to something, but what?

Once inside Jensen's office, they took their seats. Casey had no idea what to expect from him, so he prepared himself for anything…except for Jensen opening a drawer to reveal a small tape-recorder. Jensen then picked out a tape labeled 'Lunch Date'. Casey suddenly went pale. And when Jensen inserted the tape and pressed 'play', it almost gave Casey a heart attack.

Ro: We weren't expecting him to drop by either. But I guess we should've, since we told him that Zee's holomorphs were acting up. He's examining him even as we speak.

Casey: Is that why Zee was walking through the apartment naked this morning?...Ro, it's no secret that you and Zee have been through a lot together, and it's no surprise to me that you two have become quite close. So I'm letting you know right now that the night before, I saw how you two were snuggled together in bed. I can't deny that was a shock for me. And last night, I woke to hear the shower running at two o'clock in the morning. I stopped outside your room to hear Zee say that he never meant to hurt you, and that it was his fault. I opened the door just wide enough to see Zee – nude as a newborn – carrying you to the bed. I didn't get much sleep after that. And then this morning, I woke up just in time to see Zee heading for the kitchen without as much as a fig leaf. Ro… I know how much you want to protect Zee, but even though we did not have much time growing up together, I'm still your brother and I want to protect you, too. So please tell me… Did Zee…?

Casey was paralyzed. He could only sit and stare as the entire moment flashed before his eyes. Everything from Ro's tears to the taste of her root-beer/cherry/cola became as vivid as ever.

Casey: Ro…? Ro, I'm sorry…but…

Ro: No…He didn't… It wasn't like that...He didn't…make the first move. I saw him sleeping…and I couldn't resist the urge to kiss him, so I did. That's how it happened...For so long, I never thought I could feel this way about anyone. But I love him, Casey, I really do. I know…where he came from…and what he was supposed to do, but…he's not like that anymore… He's so sweet and loving…

Casey: I'm sorry, Ro, but I was worried. When I first looked at that disc you gave me, all I could see was you getting in one dangerous situation after another. I couldn't understand it at first, but after seeing what I saw the past two nights, I began to see how far you two would go to protect each other. If that's not proof enough that you love each other, then what is? Let's face it…you'll always be Grandpa's 'little bulldozer'.

After a moment, Jensen decided to break the silence. "You know, Casey, not everyone gets a second chance at a promotion. And to be honest, I'm still not sure you deserve it, but…"

"How…could…you…?"

Jensen raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, did you say something? It's hard to understand you when you whisper like that."

"How…COULD…YOU!" Casey wanted to jump over the desk and break Jensen's neck, but a split second of reasoning made him grab the recorder instead. Seconds later, the recorder was emptied and tossed back on the desk, and the tape was crushed to pieces under Casey's feet. Then he turned his attention to Jensen, ready to break his neck at a moment's notice.

Jensen, however, remained cool and collected. He opened a desk drawer and grabbed a handful of tapes; all labeled 'Lunch Date'.

Casey stopped in his tracks, dumbfounded. If Jensen had that many copies in his desk, he could still have copies hidden elsewhere. "How could you do this to me…to Ro? That was a private conversation…"

"Then maybe you shouldn't have private conversations in public restaurants. You're not the only person here who eats at Tony's. It's no secret that you've been keeping tabs on your sister since you botched the capture, so we've been keeping tabs on you. The best reporters are the ones who are prepared for anything. News scoops don't make appointments in advance. If Kevin happens to be having lunch at the same time and place as you and your sister, whose fault is that? And last time I heard, there's no law against carrying a pocket-sized tape-recorder into a restaurant. It obviously didn't disturb your little chat."

Casey was furious beyond words. "Do you…have any idea…what it was like when my only sister was taken away from me? I spent years wondering if she was okay. And now…I finally have her back, only to have you…you…" He slams his fists on the desk. "Who do you think you are!"

Jensen sighed and said, "I think… No, I know… I'm the CEO of The San Francisco Chronicle, a business that provides the news. And the news, as you once said, belongs to the people. With that in mind, I believe the people have a right to know how the government has been using their tax money. And apparently, the government has been using it to create robots designed to kill and replace the people. Zeta, a robot, wants to be treated like a human; and yet we, the people, are to forget that he's killed people. Why should Zeta get away with murder? Most humans have faced the death penalty for even less."

Jensen could see that Casey was aiming for his throat, but he wasn't done yet. "And then there's your sister…Rosalie Rowen, am I right? Word is she's been in trouble long before she met Zeta and his little cred card. Are we to just overlook her aiding and abiding a fugitive robot, not to mention sponging off the government? And I couldn't ignore what she said about making 'the first move'? Do I even have to ask what that meant? The people might not understand. Even you had…concerns. That is what the whole conversation was about, wasn't it?"

"You…"

"I realize that they are no longer wanted fugitives, but that doesn't mean people won't come up with their own conclusions as to why they were let off the hook after being hunted down for nearly three years. Now I'm prepared to give your sister the opportunity to set things straight. I'm also prepared to start a nation-wide debate about Zeta, and all the other infiltration units the government has let loose on our streets. The choice is up to her, but I'm sure you can help her make the right decision. One more thing… I believe you mentioned something about a disc. There's nothing like presenting hard evidence to prove your case, right?" He turns his chair around to face the window. "That will be all, Casey…"

That dreadful meeting still flows through Casey's mind as he sits on the bench at the second Correspondence Office, telling Zee, sitting next to him, everything that happened. "…And now, if Ro does not agree to the interview, he'll start a nation-wide debate on you and the NSA for making you in the first place. This is all my fault. When I saw you two that night, I should have confronted you right then and there. But I could see how she was trying not to cry, and then you carried her to the bed with such tender care. And the next morning, she didn't say anything…but I could see your naked body through the crack of the door. So when she arrived at Tony's alone, I couldn't hold it in any longer. I had to find out…what really happened." Now it's Casey's turn to fight back the tears, so he hides his face in his hands, his elbows piercing his knees.

Meanwhile, Agent Bennet talks to the Registry Clerk. After being shown a picture of Ro, the clerk recognizes her. He tells Bennet that she did indeed register for the High School Diploma Program just over an hour ago, but he did not see which way she went after that. He still had people waiting behind her at the time.

As the clerk returns to his duties, Bennet returns to Casey. Once Bennet has Casey's attention, he says, "Miss Rowen was here, alright. But since this is the shopping district, she could be browsing through one of the stores. If we split up, one of us is bound to find her. We'll meet back at the apartment in one hour."

Bennet goes to the nearest mall, Casey tries further uptown, and Zee heads toward the park.

Casey tries his best to look for Ro, but he can't fully concentrate; not while he knows that his 'sweet, kind, understanding boss' has an entire drawer full of tapes, all revealing what should have been a private chat with his only sister. And now he has the audacity to set up an interview just like that, without giving either of them a choice in the matter. Not to mention that even now, he could still have Kevin and the rest of his loyal lackeys watching his every move.

Years ago, he actually wanted to be a journalist. He found the career intriguing. Landing a job at The San Francisco Chronicle felt like the best thing that ever happened to him at the time. But now, the thought of his own co-workers, people he's been working with for years, friends he thought he had, all conspiring to destroy his long-lost sister… It's too much for him. He heads deep into the nearest alley, and once he feels that no one is around, he sits against the wall and cries.

Agent Bennet is nearing the center of the mall, checking out every store that a teenage girl is likely to shop in. After going through three clothing stores, a jewelry store and two music shops, something inside him is saying that he's going at it all wrong. For so long he has suspected Ro as being nothing more than a street urchin attracted to Zeta's unlimited cred card. But bit by bit, she did things that proved him wrong. Aside from the occasional one-night stay in some fancy hotels, she didn't seem to fit the term 'shopaholic'.

And, of course, she was determined to protect Zeta no matter what. Bennet will never forget what happened in the submarine. He offered to help her find her family if she would only help him bring in Zeta, but she refused. She told him he should concentrate on his own family first. Turns out she was right. Catching Zeta had been his top priority for so long; he was losing touch with his own son.

And now, here she is, working on her high school diploma. She's a lot more mature than he expected her to be.

After another twenty minutes of a fruitless search, he takes a seat at a bench near the Food Court and tries to make sense of what's going on. He understood that Zeta and Ro were in love, and Casey is being blackmailed by his boss because of it. What he did not understand was how Zeta was evolving into a human. He felt his hologram for himself; it was solid and warm. How was that possible? And it looked like he was struggling to project the hologram of Ro from his hand. He shouldn't have been difficult for him; it's part of his programming.

It was hard enough to deal with an infiltration unit being able to have dreams. Dr. Selig programmed Zeta to have a conscience, to understand right from wrong. Did he plan on Zeta becoming so…emotional?

(Did Dr. Selig plan on making Zeta…human?)

And then there's Bucky's arrival. (Why do I have the feeling he wasn't there for a social visit…?)

Zee reaches the park and begins his desperate search for Ro. As he walks down one of the familiar paths, he sees a blonde figure running in the far distance, so he tries to activate his telescopic vision for a closer look…

Nothing happens. It's not responding.

He continues to stare, and still nothing. His telescopic vision is gone.

He rubs his palm and tries once again to project a hologram from his hand, but after a few minutes, the sensation from rubbing his hand becomes uncomfortable. He sits behind a nearby tree and tries to come to terms with his situation. For so long, he's wanted to live like a human and not have to kill anymore. He does not regret that decision. And after everything Ro has done for him, she's become an important part of his life. He does not regret that, either. And now it seems that his desire to become human is somehow coming true, but at a price…

…He's losing his powers!

(Why is this happening? We're not doing anything wrong. Why is Jensen doing this? We're finally free. We're starting to live the lives we've wanted for so long. And now he's destroying it all, putting Ro in danger… I like being a human. It's wonderful, beyond everything I've ever hoped for… But how can I keep Ro safe from Jensen if I'm losing my powers?)

After a minute or two, he hears footsteps. He looks around to see the blond woman from the distance jogging up the path. She continues on her way, oblivious to Zee staring at her face. She isn't Ro, and she's not in danger.

(With or without my powers, I will find Ro. I will find her and protect her, any way I can.) With that in mind, he hurries further into the park, more determined than ever to make his dream a reality.

MINUTES LATER…

Back at the apartment, Bucky waits ever-so-patiently for everyone to return. He decides to activate his laptop and go through the results of Zee's analysis one more time. It's up to him to try and explain the changes happening to Zee. He sent a copy of the specs to his uncle via his private e-mail. He couldn't believe what was happening, either…

"I'm home!"

Ro enters the apartment and gets the shock of her life as Bucky practically pounces on her.

"Ro! Where have you been, girl? Do you realize how much trouble you're in? Everyone's been looking for you…"

"HOLD IT!" Ro takes a moment to back away from the excitement. "Now then… What are you talking about? Where's Zee?"

"Zee, Casey and Agent Bennet are all looking for you because Casey is being blackmailed by his boss. He said you have an 8 o'clock appointment with him for a live interview."

"Blackmailed...? What do you mean...? What appointment...? Bennet's here?"

"Look, I don't know all the details. When I arrived, Agent Bennet answered the door. The next thing I know, he, Zee and Casey asked me to watch the apartment while they look for you. When I asked what was going on, Casey would only say that his boss was blackmailing him. A couple of minutes later the phone rang. It turned out to be Casey's boss. He left a message saying that he's confirmed an 8 o'clock appointment tomorrow morning for a live interview with you."

Ro is dumbstruck by the news. "This can't be happening! I just enrolled in classes. I'm trying to rebuild my life. I want to put the whole 'wanted fugitive' thing behind me. The last thing I want is to be on TV talking about it. How could he be blackmailing Casey?"

"I don't know. Casey didn't say… But there's something else. I have Zee's results." Bucky guides Ro to the couch and shows her the laptop on the table in front of them. "When you called, you said that Zee was having a problem with his holomorphs. He couldn't control them like before, right?"

"Right."

"Well, when I was doing the examination, it was painful for him. He could feel the wires going through his hologram, just like we'd feel a needle going through our skin. That should not have been possible, but despite being in pain, he allowed me to continue. When I finished, the specs showed me there were signs of activity from the module that gives Zee his conscience. When I showed the specs to my uncle, he confirmed that the module was giving Zee something else…"

Ro could not contain the suspense any longer. "Well, let's hear it! What's happening to Zee?"

Bucky and Ro are so absorbed by the test results that they do not hear the apartment door opening.

"Ro… You're here."

They raise their heads to see Casey standing before them. He was the first to arrive back from the search, and by the looks of him, he had been definitely been crying. Ro stands up and gives Casey a warm hug, and tears flowed once again from Casey's eyes.

Ro takes Casey to the other end of the couch and gives him a chance to calm down. Rather than interrupt them, Bucky decides to go to the kitchen and pour two glasses of orange juice. He gently sets them on the table before them and takes his place by his laptop.

"Casey," Ro softly says about a minute later, "Bucky just told me about the blackmail. How did it happen? What does he have on you?"

After a few deep breaths, Casey answers, "When we were at Tony's… Kevin was there, too. He had a recorder… he taped everything. Jensen has an entire drawer of copies. If you don't agree to the interview, he'll start a big debate about Zee. He's claiming the people have a right to know why you two are no longer wanted fugitives. He wants to milk this story for all its worth. Never mind how the publicity will affect you. Never mind how the NSA will react! I can't believe…I wanted to be a journalist…when I was growing up…" There was no stopping the tears now. It was all Ro could do to gently hug his shoulders while he cries into his hands.

About ten minutes later, Bennet is the next to arrive. The first thing he notices is the sound of someone crying. He heads into the living area and sees Ro consoling Casey. Bucky motions Bennet into the kitchen, giving the siblings some privacy. Bennet doesn't argue; he has a few questions for the boy genius, anyway.

Bucky is the first to speak, keeping his voice down. "Ro arrived first. I told her what I knew about you guys looking for her. Casey arrived just a few minutes before you. I haven't heard from Zee yet."

Bennet, keeping his voice down as well, says, "Zeta should be here shortly. We all split up to search for Miss Rowen. In the meantime, I need to know something. How are you involved in all of this?"

"I could ask you the same question… But I won't argue. Zee's holomorphs were malfunctioning. He asked me to look at them because he knew I wouldn't take him apart and reprogram him like the NSA would. I was just about to tell Ro the results when Casey arrived."

(Of course,) Bennet thinks to himself, (Who else would they rely on to repair Zeta? It's not the first time they needed his help.) "So, do you know what's wrong with him?"

"You're not here to take him back, are you?"

"Bucky, I know it's hard to believe, but right now we're on the same side. Zeta is not Priority One anymore, but he will be if Casey's boss lives up to his threat. If you've figured out why Zeta's hologram now feels like warm human flesh, you might as well tell me."

"What did you say?"

"We both know that Zeta's holograms were not programmed to feel solid and warm. You should be able to poke through them like they were nothing. But now he's solid human flesh. And another thing: Zeta can't project holograms from his hands anymore. He had to struggle to project an image earlier today, because I thought he was an impostor. I've noticed he hasn't been able to do it again. He's turning into a human, and if you know how he's doing it, then I want to know, too."

Bucky leans forward on the kitchen table. (He has warm, solid flesh now? He can't project any holograms at all…?) "…It's just like my uncle said."

Bennet raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"I've been staying with a relative since you took me from the institute. He's a techno-genius, too. I showed him the specs I gathered from examining Zee. It turns out that Dr. Selig's module gives Zee a lot more than just a conscience…"

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There's more to come…no matter how long it takes.