The illumination of a dim light from a certain blue robot monkey's eyes was the only source of light in the medical bay of the robot. A sleep deprived Gibson began to mumble to himself, looking through the papers. Time was of the essence now, and it had been a week since his three comrades came back from that strange mission with a rapidly growing baby…

Aphrodite was developing too quickly, and there was no sign of any type of mutation in her samples. Gibson began to tear up; was he losing his mind? What if he wasn't as brilliant as he thought he was? If he couldn't find anything, what was the point in going on?

"I can't do this…" Gibson muttered to himself, but he knew if he couldn't find anything, Aphrodite would die sooner than she was meant to.

He felt himself growing heavy, he needed sleep, he knew that, but before he could step out of the medical bay, his body shut down.

"Gibson!" Chiro's voice exclaimed as Gibson felt himself being shaken; He opened his eyes slowly as he shot up in a sitting position. He was surrounded by his teammates, who were looking at him in disgust. The blue monkey groaned, holding the sides of his head.

"What time is it?" He asked, then noticing Nova's empty arms, he began to panic.

"Wh-where's Aphrodite?!"

"She passed away three months ago, from old age…you've been asleep for a little over a year." Nova began to sob as everyone surrounded her to comfort her. Chiro slowly turned his head from Nova towards Gibson, his eyes held disappointment.

"Why couldn't you find anything?" Chiro snapped, "I thought you were intelligent."

"I-I..." But before Gibson could finish, the floor under him collapsed as he screamed from falling, everyone's voice echoed 'You deserve this' his vision became black, as he sank deeper into a suffocating black abyss.

"Gibson! Gibson! Wake up!" Chiro's voice exclaimed. Gibson shot up again in the medical bay, gasping for air. Just as before his comrades were looking at him, but in concern instead of disgust. And similar to the prior event, he noticed Nova's empty arms, tears began to weld in his eyes as panic struck.

"No…I…I'm sorry." Gibson scrunched up into a ball, covering his face with his hands, he began rocking back and fourth. "Just end this nightmare now…"

"Gibson…" Chiro began in a concerned voice as he knelt to his side, "Wha-what happened?"

"I-I couldn't find anything…a-and she's gone…" Gibson sobbed, as everyone looked at him in confusion.

"What's…gone?" Otto asked, with a raised brow.

"Aphrodite…" everyone's eyes widened in realization.

"I-it was just a nightmare, Gibson!" Antauri reassured him.

"B-but Nova doesn't…A-Aphrodite…" but before Gibson could finish his words.

"Aphrodite is fine, Gibson! She was getting fussy to where I had to lay her down for a nap." Nova explained.

"Uh, sh-she's…alive?" Gibson gasped.

"Her growth is rapid, but not that rapid." Nova said, crossing her arms.

"I think you need a break, Gibson…" Chiro said as Gibson gave a look of horror.

"Bu-but…I have yet to find the cause!"

"Instead of looking for the cause of Aphrodite's growth, why don't we look for a solution together? Later…for now, get some rest, Gibson." Antauri ordered.

"But…"

"No buts, Gibson." Chiro said sternly, pointing towards the door of the medical bay. The blue monkey slowly walked out of the bay and towards his room, he stopped mid track to look at his reflection in a piece of metal.

"Wow…I look absolutely awful." He said, noticing his sunken eyes, and full over tired expression. He continued on towards his room, stopping in front of Nova's room, he looked both ways to make sure no one was near before opening her door, peeking into a small bassinet next to Nova's pod. Aphrodite looked peaceful, but paranoia got the best of Gibson as he placed a hand on her chest, hoping to feel her breathing or heartbeat; Aphrodite winced and whimpered a bit from his cold robotic hand. Gibson retracted his hand quickly; her movement and sound was enough to put his mind at ease. He quietly left for the door, turning his head to look back on the napping baby. He gave a determined but gentle smile.

"Sleep well, Aphrodite. I promise...you're not going to pass prematurely." He whispered, heading to his own room for some needed rest.