(A/n: Audrey, aKa Microwaved Noodles, heres to ya! I thank you for the tremendous 'to me' appreciation you have shown towards this fic, its really very sweet. I inspired someone! hah, ME? Anyway, thanks for all of your support, as well as everyone else who has reviewed this story... I'm always looking for ways to improve my writing skills, as I am quite the perfectionest when it comes to my writing.) Chapter: A Fondness

"Your INSANE!!!"

"Mariko-"

"NO! How could YOU DO THIS?! WHY!!! Tell me God DAMN YOU!!!"

Hysterical, she screamed, tears streaming down her blushing cheeks, her fists clenched in rage and confusion.

"You know why... I did it for you." His voice was desperately trying to remain calm. "And keep your voice down, you don't want to wak-"

"For me?! What about them? What would they do-"

"They won't find out." Said Membrane, almost choking on his words.

"No... NO!!! I can't take it James, I can't!"

"Mariko.. please... understand! I had to, we couldn't have children any other way, and we both know how much you wanted kids."

"It's cause your so damn effete!" She lowered her head, her eyes frantic, chaotic. "I can have children!! You lied to me! You knew how much it meant! You knew all this time, AND YOU KEPT IT FROM ME!!!"

"...Listen, please-" you know you can't have children...

"No! You think you can fix everything, huh? Its always been your damn pride, your damn science, who do you think you are? The incarnate of Dr. Frankenstein!!"

A tiny voice. "Momma?"

A gasp.

"Yes, honey?" She whispered painfully.

"Are you sad?" He rubbed his eyes, biting his lower lip nervously. She gave him a tired hug, scruffing his hair affectionately.

"Oh honey, I'll be fine. You know, its way past your bed time, young man." She smiled at him. "I'm sorry we woke you."

"Is daddy ok?"

Daddy was currently in the kitchen, lighting a smoke, a habit he had long since tried to quit, opening a bottle of Excedrin. He popped a few in his mouth, letting them dissolve slowly on his tongue. He took a drag.

She looked over at her husband, glaring at him briefly in disgust, then looked back at her son. "Yes, he's fine, dear. Now do mommy a favor, you do have school tomorrow, and we don't want to wake your sister up, do we?" She wheezed slightly, tears ready to fall again at any moment.

"No, I checked, she was a' scared cause of the yelling, but I tucked her in." He stated proudly. "She's ok now, I hope."

Damn him, he knows I have asthma. That smoke...

"Oh, aren't you the best big-brother, she's a lucky one," She kissed him softly on the forehead. "Now do try to get some rest, for me."

"But will everyth-"

"Y-" She coughed suddenly. ...is really getting to me...

"Yes. G'night babe." ...everything... its too much..

He wrapped his tiny arms around her back, whispering. "I love you mommy."

She nodded, trembling. "Yes... I love you too."

And with that, Dib went upstairs, softly closing the door.

"Get in here, can't even say anything to your son, can you?!" She whispered hoarsely, her coughing spell worsening.

"How can he be my son? He's already showing defective behavior, what with his obsession with aliens, that can't be from my genes." He stated, walking tiredly into the living room, leaving his half a cigarette burning in the ash tray.

"How can you say that?" Her voice was incredulously disheartened, and threatening to, at any moment, fly off the handle once again. "They're just children! Don't you even care?!" She coughed louder, almost trying to get his attention to the smoke.

"I do have a fondness for them, but-"

"A fondness?!" She rasped.

"Mariko, just shut up! My head aches, and I don't need your yelling."

"Oh, baby," She mocked, walking into the kitchen. "Why don't you just," She grasped unto the bottle of Excedrin her husband seemed so 'fond' of and threw it at him. "Take your medicine! Take all of it!!!" She cried, wheezing more harshly now.

The bottle hit him square in the face, and with all his might, he threw it back, shattering through the kitchen window.

"YOU... NOXIOUS BASTARD!!! YOU GET OU-OUT OF HERE, RIGHT NOW!" She said in between gasps and coughs.

"DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!"

Slam!

She let out a frustrated, trembling scream.
Swirl...

"I always love you Mariko... I'm so sorry. I'll try to be a better father.. they deserve it..."