4th October 2013 Friday

Day 277

Early update and I hope these surprise "we're going out tonight" situations don't happen for the next 88 days.

Disclaimer: Fairly certain that I don't own the show…although…

Intermission was almost over, and the few members of the Hamilton Habitat crew were waiting patiently in the foyer. Jenny had her eyes glued through the door, where the policeman was holding on to the child. To the judge's word, Max had been taken in to custody until the decision was made.

"Ok, so things aren't exactly going well," Dex began, trying to avoid Zap's glare.

"No kidding, we're about to lose our baby."

Jenny's stare remained on her child, her fingers unknowingly twisting and fiddling with each other. "What do we do, Dex?"

He looked at her with sadness, before turning to spy Zap's sadder-than-usual, depressed expression.

"I have a plan, and you guys are going to have to go with it," a small bell chimed, and people began flooding back in to the room. "I'm intending to keep my promise, and no one is going to harm Max."

Every stood to welcome the judge, who had returned along with the jurors. One of the twelve members stood up and began reading from the piece of paper within their grasp.

"Your Honour, after the consideration of the child's current living situation, and the fact that it is not expressing basic "baby behaviour" such as crying, we think it would benefit to live with a more parent role model. We therefore believe the child should be in the custody of Doctor Monogan."

Jenny whispered a 'no' as a few tears fell down her face. Her head landed itself on the bench, while Zap sat silently with a pale expression. Dex's mouth moved in a pout as he carefully orchestrated his plan in his head.

The police officer walked over to the plaintiff; Doctor Monogan holding out his hands to accept the baby. The moment Max landed in the older man's grasp; a horrible, high-pitched squeal was released, causing the members of the room to block their ears. Max, who was being held awkwardly in the doctor's hold, let the tears pour down his tiny cheeks as he continued to squeal and wail in debate. Jenny lifted her head off the desk, her hand grasping Zap's arm as both of them watched on in shock.

Dex immediately looked over to the jury; the members whispering and murmuring at the sight. He flipped open his wristcom and dialled for the mayor again.

"Your Honour," he stood up quickly, catching the attention of the judge. "I'd like to call Zap Monogan to the stand."

The pilot turned around at his name and looked sceptically at his boss. Dex winked in response.

"My apologies Mr…Hamilton," he read from the notes in front of him. "But this case has been finalised."

"Please, I have permission from the mayor to do this," he held open his com, which displayed a small image of the mayor nodding in agreement. The judge sighed, but gestured with his hand to the podium. Sharing a look with Jenny, Zap moved away from the desk and towards the front of the room; glancing quickly at his clone. The policeman had taken Max from him, and now the doctor was delivering a dirty scowl to the bug boy. Max, with tear stains on his face, winked at his dad as he walked past, causing the pilot to furrow his brow in thought.

Dex approached the bench too and inhaled before addressing the pilot.

"Zap, you're an insect/human hybrid, are you not?"

"What?"

Dex sighed with a small chuckle. "You're part bug."

"Oh, oh yeah," he said, understanding what Dex was saying but internally blaming him for phrasing it difficulty.

"Would you care to demonstrate?" with a shrug, Zap spread his wings for all to see. Members of the jury widened their eyes at the sight and continued to whisper, and the leader took a chance to say something comforting. "So I suppose you'd be able to catch your son if he ever fell; metaphorically and literally."

Zap nodded modestly while a low murmur of laughter spread through the room. Dex's expression turned serious. "And…who did this to you?"

The pilot's eyes widened in realisation as he recognised Dex's train of thought. "He did," Zap pointed to Doctor Monogan, who shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

"Your Honour," Jenny stood up quickly, smiling as she too began to understand Dex's plan. "I have footage proving that Doctor Monogan created Zap through illegal experimental gene splicing, and his location is also an unacceptable habitat for a baby."

The judge exclaimed while he looked around between the different members; each one looking up at him expectantly.

"My apologies, but this case has been finalised. Max Monogan belongs in the custody of Doctor Monogan," the Hamilton Habitat crew members each dropped their heads sadly at the news. "However, some new information will extend the sentence of Doctor Monogan."

Everyone's attention turned to the other man.

"Doctor Monogan, you are charged with having an unplanned child under the age barrier, please pay the officer the amount on the fine," Doctor Monogan opened the slip of paper, his eyes widening at the number on the page.

"Uh…do you take a check?" he stammered, staring nervously at the impatient police officer.

"Failure to pay the fine will result in three years jail time. Also, the sentence for illegal gene splicing is fifteen years in jail, with no chance of parole for ten years," the colour in the doctor's face appeared to drain. Jenny snapped her head over to the doctor, before looking at Zap. The pilot met her gaze, a grin breaking out on his face. "As you will be unable to care for the child in prison, the custody of Max will fall in to your closest relative, who is-"

"Me," Zap whispered. He looked up at the judge, who was smiling down at him with a small nod.

"Would you be able to pay the fine for having a child under the barrier?" the judge asked, to which Zap nodded immediately.

"I hereby place Max Monogan in to the custody of his real parents; Jenny and Zap Monogan. Doctor Monogan, you've been served. Take him away," the police officer managed to place the laser cuffs on the older man's hands very quickly, startling the doctor. Zap didn't waste any time as he leapt out of his seat at the bench and flew over to Jenny; his arms wrapping around her waist as soon as he reached her. Dex, who had kindly offered to hold Max while the officer took care of the plaintiff, walked over to the desk where Jenny and Zap were standing.

"This isn't over," Doctor Monogan shouted as he was pulled in to the next room. Zap merely smirked before turning his back on the man; cuddling Max closer to him.

Jenny pulled Dex down to her, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, you brilliant genius," she said before taking her son in to her hold and planting kisses on his cheeks. The baby smiled and laughed at the act. Zap grabbed Dex's hand in a shake, but pulled him in to a very brief hug as a thank you.

"Case…officially dismissed."

Tell me what you think. R&R!