Crossposted from Ao3.

This is NOT a Proto Man bashing fic, as he is one of my favorite Mega Man characters. However, I do think he gets off a little too easily with the fandom. True, his actions have motivations, yet he still did quite a lot he has to make up for.

Which would've happened had Archie not canceled the comic.

But, that's what fanfiction is for.

But, before we start, some context is in order.

When I first began writing for Classic Mega Man, I shipped Proto with Kalinka, as I had just started reading the comics, and saw the rather unsavory end to his and Tempo/Quake Woman's encounter.

True, he didn't hurt her, but someone who's still probably super confused about her emotions would probably register to get a fist near your head as something quite frightening. Not to mention, given all that Proto/Break Man had done, I think Tempo/Quake trusted him too easily.

I was torn on the pairing of Proto X Quake due to this, as, while I don't believe Proto is an abuser, I just think easily earned forgiveness is a cop-out. True, Proto deals with a lot of guilt, but much of it is deserved. And, while I love the pairing now, I can't help but want to explore the angle of what if Tempo didn't trust or think highly of him.

Although I don't want her to be too hateful about it. She, like him, is lashing out. Only it's coming from a different source instead of anger.

This will not be a full story, and it's probably going to be erratically updated. Still, I felt sort of compelled to do this, as, while the pairing has grown on me (I like both Proto X Kalinka and Proto X Quake), I thought it'd be interesting to explore their interactions through a different lens.

Just Not Today

She could tell he was growing angrier with each answer she gave him, but what else could she do? He wanted honesty, and she gave it to him. As they continued to talk, she expressed that she couldn't understand why the red Robot Master was so resentful towards his own creator.

She then received her answer. Along with the near-deafening sound of shattering glass just mere inches away from her head.

It was then that her mother stepped in and took over, berating the robot for his behavior. Whether it was due to her words or having lost interest, the red machine teleported away, leaving the two alone.

"Tempo!" Dr. Lalinde cried out, near tears with worry and fear. "Did he hurt you? Are you ok?"

Tempo wasn't sure how to answer. Her green eyes fell onto the busted picture, then to the crack in the wall, and then to the shards of glass that lay beside her on both ends, some shards having flown over onto the other side of the couch. "I…" she stammered, her core still thumping in her chest.

"Tempo, are you ok?" Noelle questioned again, her daughter's lack of words only serving to raise her concern.

"I…" the brunette android tried to speak. But her core…it was beating so rapidly she could barely concentrate. "I…am…unharmed." she finally said.

"Ok, good," the violet-haired woman sighed, bringing the robot in for an embrace. "But…still, why did you allow him inside?" she asked. "You could've put yourself in danger! Bear in mind, even if Blues is Thomas' boy, he's still…"

"Dangerous?"

"Dangerous?" Noelle was surprised to hear that from Tempo. "Well, I suppose you could say that," she then noticed her daughter retreating into herself. "But…"

"He…" Tempo began. "He asked me what it meant to have a family," she said. "And…I showed him some of the recordings of my former life to him. This…didn't seem to be the answer he wanted. So, I asked him why he hated Dr. Light, and…" she glanced over at the damaged wall and picture. "Well…that happened."

"Tempo…"

"Mom," the robot cut her creator off. "Can I just…go to bed?"

"Tempo, are you ok? Truly?"

"Mom, please…"

Lalinde was silent. "Well…all right, if you say so."

"..thank you."

Wasting no time, Tempo retreated to her room, shutting the door and sinking against its frame. Scared, that was all that was on her mind. She had never been more scared. She hadn't intended to make him so angry, she just wanted to know his reasons for his actions! He wished for her to explain herself, shouldn't he do the same?

Wait a moment, she thought. Why was she feeling guilty? She had done nothing wrong, save for giving him any sort of chance to explain himself. She had gone and invited him into HER home, and tried to impart some sort of reason on him, especially given all that he had done, and he nearly assaults her?!

"No," she shook her head. "He didn't mean to do that. He…"

He was angry, confused, vengeful, unsure, resentful, indecisive, bitter…

…hurting?

All of this and more went through her head, her core still thumping like mad. She felt foolish, for, in retrospect, if he had wanted to, he could've aimed for her head directly. He could've blasted her, damaged her, possibly taken her to Wily himself.

Maybe do to her what he had done to Roll.

Tempo was so confused and uncertain. So many emotions ran through her systems, her processor on fire, and the events that led to Blues' departure played on an endless loop in her mind, the sight of his hidden face drawing near hers, the fury that was surely burning in his eyes…

Not since she had been trapped in the ice with Mega had she been so afraid.

But, with this, came another emotion. One that, while it still radiated with the same intensity as fear, but different. She felt…heat. Within her core. A burning sensation, but it wasn't painful. Rather, it made her feel…empowered.

How dare he, she thought.

How dare he do such a thing. Come into her home, damage her property, scare her out of her mind, and…and somehow, she was supposed to believe that it was because he was hurting?!

How could he not be?

He asked her what family meant, so he must've been seeking some genuine answers. Someone who was…unconcerned with the impact of their actions wouldn't do that, would they? Actually, try to find out answers for themselves. Potentially prove themselves wrong?

No, he wasn't interested in that, she thought. He wasn't interested in making amends or repentance. So why should she be interested in such things either?

I've never been more scared.

The words she had told Mega Man ran through her CPU.

"All I know is fear…"

Fear that she had become acquainted with once again, only now, it was fear of something tangible. Fear of a figure that she had so foolishly given a chance. Fear of a figure that, from his actions, had proven he was dangerous and untrustworthy.

What was she doing, wasting time thinking about him? He wasn't worth it. Someone like that…someone who would do what he had done.

Someone who nearly hurt me.

She was torn on that. He could've hurt her but didn't. Yet, still, in that brief moment, she had forgotten that. At that moment, she knew fear once again. Fear for her mother, fear for herself.

But, most of all, fear of him.

She hadn't expected to see him so soon, let alone at a time like this. But, when she had turned the corner, there he was, sitting as if he were waiting for her. "I see you're doing better."

Quake Woman's eyes widened, stepping back for a moment before regaining her composure. "Oh? And why is that?" she asked a degree of venom in her voice.

"Because I can clearly tell you're not happy to see me."

A part of her felt hot as if she were about to have flushed cheeks. She hid her face behind the checklist she had in her possession. Blues noticed this, yet he was more curious about her reaction to his presence beforehand. True, he hadn't exactly announced his arrival, yet he didn't expect her to be so..cautious around him.

Then again, perhaps that was warranted. After all, it wasn't as if he had a right to come here of all places.

"What do you want?" Quake Woman questioned, fear had given way to anger.

Blues held his head. "I'm…sorry," he said, voice meeker than usual. "I know I wasn't…courteous last time…"

Whether it was the fact he had come here again or the fact that he had once again reminded her of the panic she experienced that night, she wasn't sure. Yet, it was then that the other Robot Master snapped.

"Courteous?" she asked.

"Yes, I…I know I shouldn't have lashed out at you, and-"

"Courteous?" she cut him off. "Courteous?!" her voice raised, catching the other robot, and herself, off guard. "That doesn't even count for half of what you've done!"

Blues' eyes widened from behind his visor. She wasn't exactly thrilled he was here, yes, but he was in no way expecting this. "I…I know. I've done a lot that I'm not proud of-"

"I know about Light Labs," Quake Woman cut him off. "Punching a hole in the wall and breaking a picture doesn't even come close to the amount of damage you've caused."

The other android found himself surprised at the other's sudden hostility. He understood, but he never thought that she could be so…angry. "I didn't do that," he answered. "I…"

"Then what?" the brunette robot questioned. "What did happen?"

"I…I…"

"Look, whatever it is you're here for, just say it now, because I'm not interested in listening to whatever excuses you have," Quake Woman said coldly. "So, just say what you want, then go."

Blues was left speechless, unsure of what to say. "I…" he stammered, at a loss for words. "Yes, I…did come here for something. But…"

"Then what is it?"

"That's…not the only reason I came."

"If it was to talk, then I'm not in the mood."

"No, really, I'm sorry about what happened. I-"

"What's going on here?" a voice suddenly asked, her yellow, antennae-like head popping up from behind the green and violet Robot Master.

Once again, Quake Woman jumped, but once she realized who it was, her panic turned into relief, but also a twinge of annoyance. "Vesper…"

"Hm? Oh, who's this?" the winged robot questioned, eyeing Blues with a grin. "You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend," she said coyly.

"I don't," Quake Woman responded. "Besides," she crossed her arms. "I'm not into violent men." Blues was about to respond, yet she didn't give him the chance. "But, if he tries anything, I'm calling the authorities. Is that fair with you?"

Blues looked down at the ground and sighed. "Y-Yes. I…"

"Just say what you want."

Vesper Woman was somewhat shocked. "Ouch, that's kinda cold," she whispered, but her sister said nothing.

The red Robot Master was quiet, contemplating just how to phrase his request. "Well…" he began. "It's…about my core…"

"Hm?" Dr. Lalinde opened the door, caught by surprise by who was at the entrance to her lab. "B-Blues?!"

The robot had removed his helmet, revealing his rather distinctive hair. "H-Hello, Doctor. I…I have some questions I'd like to ask."

"Is that so?" Lalinde crossed her arms. "You have a lot to answer for, you know."

"Yes ma'am, I will. But…" he felt nothing short of awkward. Yet he had to do this. "I…I need help."

"With what?"

"He believes his core is unstable," Quake Woman answered. "And, he is fearful that it could go off."

"What?!" the violet-haired woman exclaimed. "Why didn't you say so?! Get in here!"

With that, she took Blues into her lab, Vesper Woman was about to go in, but she noticed her sister stayed behind. "Aren't you coming?"

"What for?" Quake Woman said.

"Well, don't you want to, well, know a bit more about him?"

"Why? I have no interest in him or whatever he does."

"Why are you so aggressive?"

"I'm not," the other machine said. "It's just…"

"Just what?"

Quake Woman was silent, then, she stepped forward.

"Hey, where are you going?" Vesper woman questioned.

"I might not be interested in hearing what he has to say," she said. "But, there are things I would like to say to him."

"All right, I won't take anything out, or put anything in," Dr. Lalinde assured Blues. "I'm just looking."

"Yes, ma'am."

The inspection of the robot's core went underway, Quake Woman situated beside the operation table, eyes occasionally turning to gaze at Blues, but as soon as he noticed, she turned away. After a short time, Dr. Lalinde relayed to him the details regarding his core. And, it was also then that the robot realized he had been deceived. Even more, an innocent girl was in danger. But before he could articulate this, a voice spoke up.

"Mom," Quake Woman suddenly said.

"Hm?" Dr. Lalinde raised a brow. "Yes, what is it?"

The pigtailed Robot Master glanced at the android on the table, her green eyes not staying on him long. "If it's all right with you," she said. "Blues here said he wanted to talk."

Blues grew confused. Just what was she doing? "Tempo…?"

"And, it's occurred to me that I would like to talk too," she closed her eyes and sighed. "I have…a few things I would like to say."

Lalinde glanced over at Blues, then to her daughter. "All right," she said. "I'll be waiting outside, but I'll be able to see everything, so don't get any ideas," she told the red and grey robot wearing a tattered, yellow scarf. "I'll leave you two alone." with that, she exited the room.

Blues and Quake Woman were left alone, the latter turning her attention to her mother's "patient" once again. "Well?" she asked.

"...well, what?" he questioned, confused.

"You said you have things you wanted to say," she told him. "So do I. But I'll let you go first."

Blues sighed. He sensed that this was coming, yet it didn't make it any easier. "I…I know I've caused a lot of trouble,"

"That's an understatement." Quake Woman added.

"And…I've done things that I don't agree with. But…" the other robot paused, unsure of what to say. And, even more, if his words would make any difference. "But I…I don't…"

"Want to be like that anymore?"

Blues was still and quiet for a short while, but ultimately nodded in response. "I… suppose you could say that. It's…a little more complicated than that."

"I heard you saved Mega Man from the ruins of Wily's Castle."

"...yes, I did."

"And yet," the pigtailed brunette paused. "And yet…"

"It's not enough for you to trust me."

"Of course not," the other robot said. "I could go on about all the trouble you've caused, but that would be a waste of time. I'm sure you know enough about what you've done," Blues said nothing, only continuing to listen. He had no choice but to, even if another sensation was developing in his core the longer she spoke. "Then again, perhaps I should've known better than to let you into my home."

"I really am sorry about that," Blues answered. "I…I shouldn't have taken what I was dealing with out on you."

"Do you know how scared I was?" Quake Woman questioned. "Here you are, a dangerous robot that has worked and assisted a madman bent on world domination, and you come to me, someone that you barely know, and you question me about why I have decided to let go and you haven't."

Blues said nothing.

"I tried to explain to you why I did what I did, why I wanted to go forward, but you just respond to me in anger and nearly hit me in the head."

"Is…is that what this is about?" the other brunette questioned. "I scared you?"

Quake Woman looked at him, shocked, but also defensive. "...I was scared of what you'd do," she confessed. "After all, like it or not, you shot your own sister. You tried to destroy your own brother. And then you nearly hit me, how could I NOT be afraid of you?"

"I wasn't aiming for your head," Blues responded. "I meant to punch the wall, yes, but I wouldn't hurt you."

"How do I know that?"

"I wouldn't!"

"How do I know that?" Quake Woman repeated.

Blues had no answer. "I…I didn't…mean to…"

"I don't," she finished for him. "I don't know that. I don't know if you're even being honest with me right now, or you're just trying to worm your way into our home in order to get some sort of information or whatever else Wily might find of value."

"...I'm not here to hurt you." the other robot told her, voice soft, yet there was also an element to it that she didn't expect. Remorse? Regret?

"Why are you sorry now?" the other Robot Master asked. "What changed? Because…what you've done…" She went quiet for a moment. "That doesn't just happen in one day. Or was it just something you decided in the spur of the moment?"

While he wouldn't take them off for anything, Blues was somewhat grateful for the presence of his shades. She wouldn't be able to see them, but his concealed eyes were wide and full of comprehension. As well as the realization of what's all happened. What he helped contribute to. Still, there was a question he had. "If you think this of me," he asked. "Then why did you allow Dr. Lalinde to take a look at my core?"

Quake Woman raised a brow. "That's what you came for, isn't it?"

"Yes, but you didn't have to let me in," Blues replied. "You could've turned me away entirely."

"Trust me, I was tempted to."

"So, why didn't you?"

The green and violet android sighed. "Because, believe it or not, despite all the things you've done…I…I don't want to be responsible for someone going offline," she explained. "I actually know the value of life, and I also know that, even with the rocky relationships you have with them, Mega Man and Dr. Light…they'd be heartbroken if I didn't do something," she realized he was staring at her, so she turned away. "Of course, consequences are a foreign concept to you, aren't they?"

"...no, they're not," Blues muttered. "I'm seeing that now."

"There's something else too," Quake Woman said. "Then, I believe that it'll be all I have to say to you."

Blues nodded. "All right, I'll listen."

Quake Woman bit her lip, what was she even doing, letting him know about this? Still, so far, he had been honest with her (assumedly), so she was obligated to respond in the same manner. "Since our last encounter, you've been on my mind," she said. "But…not for the better," she continued. "Mom won't do it, but she's noticed that, according to her, I've been on edge lately. And I have because I can't stop thinking about you."

"Me?"

"Yes, who you are, what you've done, what you could do," Quake Woman told him. "A global blackout, shooting Roll, attacking Mega Man, potentially bringing about the end of the world…and I had the stupid notion that nothing would happen if you just wanted to talk."

Blues remained silent. His core might've been nuclear, yet he felt nothing but a heaviness the longer the other robot spoke to him.

"And…and since then, I'll admit I've been a little nervous," Quake Woman admitted. "Nervous if you would do anything else with Wily, if you come back to the house to try and kidnap me for him, try to maybe kidnap Mom. And, if I didn't do as you said…" She lowered her head, keeping her face from Blues' view entirely. "Then, anything could happen."

The red and grey machine closed his eyes, knowing that, even if he hadn't thought of it at the time, he had made things worse for someone that had been gracious enough to give him the time of day. Still, the fact she believed that about him was painful. It outright hurt.

"Of course, I don't know why you decided to care now."

"I do," Blues told her. "And…" he paused. "And seeing you like this…it just further cements the damage I've done. But, if I'm going to answer for it," he said. "I…I would like to start with you."

Quake Woman turned to face him, surprised. "Why me?"

"...because, you're the only one that understands."

The other Robot Master was rendered silent. Blues continued, she, all the while stunned but nonetheless attentive.

"I…I ran away because I thought Dr. Light wanted to change me. I lost trust in him, and…seeing Rock and Roll only served to make me even more bitter," he admitted. "You, however, you've gone through that," he said. "You've been altered, you've had parts of you taken away,"

"Your point?" Quake Woman questioned. Needless to say, whatever she thought about Lalinde's procedure on her was none of his business.

"I…I thought that you would be someone I could talk to," Blues explained. "I…I wanted to know how let alone why you forgave your creator," he then chuckled. "Only, I didn't appreciate that kindness you extended."

"You said you didn't want anyone's forgiveness," Quake Woman said. "And no one would receive yours."

"...yes, I did say that."

"And then you say that you want to make amends," she sighed. "You…I…I just don't know what to think of you. What to believe about you."

Blues remained quiet for a few moments. "...I'm sorry I scared you. It doesn't make it any better, but…I…I do want to make things right," he said. "Especially with you."

Quake Woman was unsure of how to respond, gazing at the other robot with wide green eyes full of bewilderment and confusion. "I…" she stammered. "I…I just…"

"Tempo…"

"Look, do you want to prove you're remorseful?" she told him. "Then go home. Go back to Dr. Light, let him know you're ok, and just live your life with him."

"...that's going to be easier said than done."

"Mom says that he's been waiting for you, even after all that's happened." the other Robot Master said. "He still loves you."

"...I know."

"So go," she told him. "Go home."

"And…" he said. He expected her to think he was crazy for asking this, but he needed to know. He had to know. "What about us?"

Quake Woman paused. "What about us?"

"Well," Blues said. "It…it might sound a little weird, as we don't really know each other, but…" he closed his eyes, preparing for her answer. "But…maybe…I can be someone you don't have to be afraid of."

Quake Woman looked at him curiously. "Why do you care?" there was no sarcasm in her voice, she genuinely wished to know.

"Because…" the other brunette confessed. "Because…you…you seem like…someone that listens well," he told her. "And…if I could be selfish…it just feels…relieving, to talk to you."

Silence fell in between them again. Her green eyes focused on his concealed optics, unsure of how to respond. Did he just say what she thought he did? They stayed this way for a short time before the pigtailed digger of the two cleared her throat and made her way to the exit.

"Just…go home," she told him. "As for…us," she said. "As it is now…" she stopped, not entirely certain of her own answer. Nevertheless, she went with what her logical detectors told her was the best decision. "For now…no," she told him. "No, I don't think we could be friends," she then looked back. She was unsure of why she felt compelled to say it, but it nonetheless exited from her lips. "I'm sorry."

She then left, alerting her Mother she was done, and that the analysis could resume.

So, Dr. Wily had lied to him.

That news basically confirmed all that he knew had to be done. He was responsible for her being in the man's clutches, but if Kalinka was still in danger, then he had to do something. Not just for her, but for everything and everyone.

Blue sat high in a nearby tree, holding his helmet in his hands. "Nice going," he whispered. "The one person that you can actually relate to…wants nothing to do with you."

He knew her answer would be no. He suspected that she wouldn't accept his request the moment he thought of it. Still, even if he received the same answer, he didn't expect the reason, and, in a way, that made it worse. He hadn't angered Tempo, he had scared her. He had made her worry about her family and life, all due to one slip of control where he allowed his emotions to take hold and do the thinking for him.

And now such a action might've cost him someone he could've called a comrade.

Maybe even a friend.

"Maybe even…" he whispered, looking back at the direction he had come from, the pigtailed Robot Master's home a short distance away. She had seen him off but only bid him farewell and good luck, nothing else.

He couldn't say he wasn't expecting it, but it still hurt. Of all people that he had caused bad blood between, it was her. Now, it was very possible that she hated him.

"You're not the only one," he muttered. "But…" he then rose up, standing atop of the sturdy branch he used to support himself, eyes once again on his helmet. The helmet he had just broken, the helmet that signified his transition from Break Man into someone else. Someone who could maybe make everything right. "But…maybe it doesn't have to stay that way."

Note: Again, not a Proto Man hater or basher, let alone against Proto X Quake. I'm just a fan of more realistic consequences. True, people can change, yet to just throw all caution to the wind seems foolish. Perhaps I'm just speaking from personal experience, but I doubt it'd be easy to gain any semblance of trust after what happened between them the first time they met.

Sorry if Tempo seemed too harsh here, but I hope I explained her reasoning for her demeanor towards Blues.

In the meantime, let me know what you think, and I hope to hear from you!