Note:(Dusts off old, half-filled paper note books with a sigh) For those who actually remember me and like my scribblings, I do apologize for my long absence. Between an increased work load, family drama, etc. it was just so hard to actually feel like writing. Now the work load has eased up a little and I haven't received a phone call in days from relatives wanting to rant about another relative, I actually feel like writing again. Going to go slow to get back into practice with a few one-shots and then plan to go back to clean up my old, unfinished work. No promises though.

This is not part of my normal Mortal Kombat fanfiction series, but it is related. Rayden and my old god slayer character, Althea, are in it along with their now college aged son and teenage daughter from the previous story. Aside from the characters, they are not part of the same story. Sorry for it being so short, but it seems to fit that way.

Smart-Butt Teenager

"Lilla, you are not going out with that boy!' Rayden roared.

"I'll go out with whoever I feel like and you can't stop me!" Lilla screamed back.

"As long as you are under my roof…."

Kyden (aka Kidd) in his jeans and grey T-shirt tried to ignore the now familiar conflict between his father and younger sister as he tried to concentrate on transcribing the old scrolls to the computer. He was about ready to throw the entire desk, computer and all at the pair when a hand landed softly on his shoulder. He looked up to see his smiling mother who said, "Why don't you take a break and catch a movie or something. It sounds like they're just getting warmed up."

(small break)

An hour and a slammed door later, Althea hugged her thundergod from behind and said, "I thought you liked Danny."

Rayden turned around to return the hug as he gave his half-smile and said, "Of course I like him."

"Then why the fight?"

"The best way to encourage a teenage girl to date someone is to act like you disapprove of him, "Rayden said with a chuckle.

(small break)

"Another fight with Rayden, "said the handsome Danny Cage sitting on the other side if the table,"I dunno how you stand up to him. If he was my father…" Danny gave an exaggerated shiver.

Lilla took a sip from her straw to avoid answering. The 60's retro style café they were having dinner at seemed to encourage a 'going steady' vibe Danny subconsciously was trying to give and she liked it. As cheesy as it was to the 'Disturbed' T-shirt wearing girl, the fact that he knew who and what her parents were made it that much more endearing. Not having to explain how disapproving male relatives show up out of thin air, random lighting strikes from clear skies and the occasional kidnapping attempting by beings from other realms was very nice. Although, the first two hasn't occurred since she started seeing Danny.

"I dunno how I rubbed him wrong, "said the light brown haired, blue eyed Danny nervously, "But if he doesn't approve…"

Lilla put down her drink and placed both hands on the table as she stood up to lean over the table. Looking at Danny directly in the eyes she said with the half-smile she inherited from her father, "He does like you. He's just trying to pull the old reverse psychology trick to actually encourage me to continue seeing you." She then gave him a quick peck on the tip of his nose, before sitting back down.

"Then why…"asked a blushing Danny.

"I just go along with it to keep him happy," replied Lilla with a shrug, "Plus, it's a great way to annoy Kidd without getting the blame."

The End….