Uzi watched N return to their living space. He gave her a friendly wave and excused himself to their bedroom. She was almost glad he didn't waste time in doing whatever he was up to, she was nose-deep into another volume of Maintenancing Offspring Unit (as much as she loathed these manuals) with a notepad at her side. She'd been careful to grab these copies, if the librarian caught her their little secret would be all over the colony. Such a scandal, as if their social lives weren't already one.

As it turns out, saving the universe didn't do much to change opinions of her in the colony. It was mostly sort of a reset. The colony seeing her for who she really was instead of the girl who acted out for attention was an odd change of pace, and one that came with its own problems. She now had some level of respect with the younger generation, but that's about as far as it went. Some of the older models wouldn't let her being Khan's failure of a daughter go. "She's still not interested in doors like her old man", they'd say, "she's doing it all wrong. She has a role to fill and she's running away from it". Damn oppressive bastards, didn't they know firsthand how awful being forced to live a life you didn't want was?

They tried to hide their nasty thoughts about it, but she could still hear under their breath . "How could Khan let her marry one of those things?". The first time she heard that, she nearly punched the drone who dared utter that in her presence.

It had been some ceremony she barely cared about. Dad was up on stage congratulating everyone for a great job over some project she quickly forgot about.

"But wait", Khan suddenly said, "I'd like to take this moment to demonstrate how resilient this new open-out model is!". Khan pointed out to the crowd to the tallest drone in the room, "I'd like my son-in-law to take a stab at it! Come on up, boy!". N looked around in confusion before gleefully shooting up out of his chair to hop up on stage.

As he took a bow, she heard those words she grew to loathe so much. Off to her side somewhere, she saw the drone who muttered it -some bastard with a bowler cap. Her teeth bared as she scowled at the offender, who continued to stare up at the stage with a look of boredom. Uzi's fingers made an all too familiar pose before she realized what she was trying to do. Appalled, she grabbed her hand, the offending hand clenching into a fist as she mulled over what happened. She had really wanted that guy to die, huh? That was a fucked up reaction. Gross. To pour salt in the wound, she couldn't even do what she was trying to do anymore.

She looked back over at him and instantly noticed that Bowler Cap was looking back at her. Fresh anger boiled up in her as she raised her fist at him before it quickly ran out and she meekly broke eye contact. Her fist lowered as she deflated. Her sight returned to Khan and N demoing the material. After a nod from Khan, N stabbed his claws into it, the material swinging back on the hinge but remaining seemingly unharmed. Khan declared it a successful trial and patted both N and his creation for the successful demonstration.

N's gaze caught her own, and his expression quickly shifted to one of concern. He gave Khan a quick smile before practically leaping off the stage back to where she was in the crowd. He quickly sat in his chair next to her and asked her if she was ok. She briefly considered not telling him in case he tried to kill Bowler Cap too, but that thought disgusted her as bad as her own attempt to kill him. After all, weren't they just proving him right if they tried anything? N would never do that anyway.

She told him what happened, and N leaned back in his chair to give the guy a look. She joined his gaze at the offending drone, her expression one of anger. Uzi wouldn't know it, but N looked at the guy with disappointment and hurt etched on his face. A far cry from what he deserved.

Uzi remembered going back home with N and Khan that night and her and N spent a long time huddled up together in her old room. It just… hurt to be reminded of their differences in that light.

The colony was… weird about their relationship. For lack of a better word. You had some guys like Bowler Cap who found them disgusting, yet others who found them fascinating. It didn't help that for many, that fascination was terribly misplaced. "I didn't know Workers and Murder Drones could fall in love!", and "can you guys have babies together?", grew to be phrases she heard a lot when doing her occasional teachings at the school. Granted, the question of them getting married predated her teaching, but the kids were obnoxiously curious about why they didn't have kids. That all quieted down once V and Lizzy had theirs, confirming to Uzi that this had all been morbid fascination. The colony gawked at the first Worker-Disassembler hybrid… and then promptly grew bored once Chloe failed to be anything other than a baby. Uzi was glad the colony was over this fixation in light of her and N's recent decision because now they could have this baby completely on their own terms. It was a shame it came at the cost of V and Lizzy's, but she figured it made up for the other couple getting married when they wanted to. Not that Uzi really even wanted to get married anyway.

Well… there was the other factor in things that would get in the way. Between both of them, it would be Uzi to have a source of drama in them having this kid. Sure, a Worker-Disassembler hybrid already exists, but that kid isn't the grandchild of Khan Doorman . The drone who built the doors, the leader of the WDF. The potential gossip and drama over his grandchild being fathered by a Murder Drone felt like something that would happen. It would happen, because there always had to be some monkey's paw bullshit to everything in her life.

She was definitely not looking forward to the attention that was sure to come over them having a kid. Her dad would definitely be up in her hair about how well she was parenting (like he had a foot to stand on) and… however it was exactly that V and Lizzy were invested in it. As much as she used to desire attention, she'd grown to hate it. All she really needed was the baby-unfocused attention of her friends and other half.

Turns out that saving the universe means nothing when this small part of the universe didn't even know it was in danger to begin with.

N emerged from their bedroom without the bag on. His regular clothes, the pilot jacket he still wore since they met minus the armband and cap, were still on. She had to wonder what he was up to in there, but decided it wasn't important. "Hey bud", she greeted him.

"Hey", he said taking a seat with her. N pointed at the manuals, "research again?".

She playfully jabbed him with her equivalent of an elbow, "well someone's gotta do it".

He shrugged, "Chloe's not hard to take care of. Don't get too worried about it, Uzi. You can chill".

"Dude, these things go over some stuff I had no idea about", she said pointing to her notes, "that's why I'm writing it all down".

He shrugged playfully, "I'm not worried about it. I think-". A knock came at the door.

The two froze like deer in the headlights. "Crap", Uzi said, "they can't see this. I'll hide this, you get the door. Alright?".

"Right", N nodded as he carefully made his way over to the door. He positioned himself so the other party couldn't see much of what was inside as he let the door slide partly open. "Oh, uh", N said, "Uzi, it's your dad".

"What!", she hissed.

"Uh", Khan shifted uncomfortably on his feet, "is it still a bad time?".

N nodded, "oh, no mister Uzi's dad, we can hang! Just, uh…". In a whisper he addressed Uzi, "you done?". He heard a positive and then slid the rest of the door apart. N beckoned for Khan to enter, the older drone cautiously taking in their living space. Uzi sat on the chair to a desk off in a corner of the room. N assumed she must have hidden her 'homework' inside it.

"You know", Khan addressed them, "I was so proud when you two finally moved out. Really felt like my little girl was growing up". Uzi raised him a questioning look. He continued, "and that's not to mean that I wanted you out, it was just a proud moment being able to see you leave the nest. And the one you two have set up is very, very homely".

"Gee, uh, thanks dad", Uzi said feeling very out of sorts about the sudden praise.

N smiled, "we just decorate it however". Indeed they did. Their personal tastes appeared in equal quantities all over the area. The light and dark accents mixed until they felt natural and the softer and edgier decorations interacted in ways where they felt inseparable.

Khan smiled, "yeah, but that's not really why I'm here". His smile faded, "Uzi, you know how proud I am of you, right?".

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, "yeah, I guess".

"I wasn't the greatest dad-", he caught a slight narrow to Uzi's gaze, "well, a dad to you for a while, and there's no excuse for that. When I tell you I'm proud, I really, really mean it. Despite me, your mom, you still turned out better than I could've ever expected".

"You already apologized about that before, why are you bringing it again?", she asked.

He also shifted uncomfortably as his hands clasped together, "well… Earlier when you were by… I was really worried about you and N here. Whatever's going on between you two… Just letting you know you can use your old room again. If that fixes things, then you can do that".

"Woah, hey", N exclaimed, "nothing bad's going on. Sorry it looked that way to you".

"Yeah. Dad, it was just… stuff. We already talked about it and it's dealt with", Uzi added, "mostly".

"So… you two weren't considering getting a di-".

"Divorce?", Uzi stated, "no". She grumbled about the practice of marriage under her breath.

Khan breathed an audible sigh of relief, "I was worried sick about it! I do really care about you two. Uzi, my daughter and N, who I would be proud to call son. I mean that. And N especially, I've forgiven you for everything you've done because of how much you changed and how much you've helped Uzi. She's a gem, but her shine's your touch".

N's tail began to wag as a fluster broke out on his screen, "t-thanks… Uzi's dad… K-Khan".

Uzi just started blankly ahead at him, "that was… probably the nicest thing you've ever told us".

In a complete shift of gears, Khan gave her a fingergun, "well, your dad's gotta tell you he loves you every now and then. Don't forget that, kiddo".

"Er, thanks", she said, leaning against the desk.

N shuffled over to Khan and hugged him before heading over to Uzi and hugging her too. Uzi sank into the hug, N holding her close.

"Now", Khan said as he turned his focus to Uzi's workshop room, "what do you need to move this room for?".

Uzi tore herself off N in horror as she watched Khan open the door, "dad, wait!".

Khan looked inside for a brief moment before loudly gasping. He raised a shaking hand to point inside, "is- is that what I think it is?".

"Dad!", Uzi exclaimed as she got out of the chair, "it's not! It's just a thing I made!".

"But it's such a perfect size!", Khan looked back at her, "did you two finally-".

Uzi cut in, "dad, no. It's- It's for Lizzy and V! I made it for them!".

"Oh, Uzi", Khan said with a gleeful smile etched on his face, "your old man can tell when you're not being truthful. I'm just so proud of you two!".

"Dad, it's not !", she begged, "it's not what it looks like!".

Before she could continue, N took a careful hold on her. "Uzi", he whispered, "let's just tell the truth. It's ok". She gave him a look with wide, fearful eyes. He readjusted his hold on her, "it's ok. It's the truth, but I know we spent so long not wanting that it probably feels weird to admit. It's ok". She nodded and clung to him.

N gave her a quick hug before addressing Khan. "Um, Khan? Dad-in-law? Whatever you want me calling you?", he looked at the other drone nervously, "so uh. Big news, huh?".

"Certainly looks that way!", Khan practically beamed at them.

Uzi tugged on N all of a sudden. His attention shifted to her and sensing what she wanted, he nodded at her. Uzi looked over at Khan as she held onto N, "so uh… N and I decided… that uh…". She paused to collect herself. "We would… like… to…", she sighed, "have a baby…".

Uzi wasn't even sure if she had ever seen Khan so elated before. The older drone rushed over to them and threw his arms around as much of them as he could. "Oh, I'm so proud!", he wailed, "my little girl's all grown up!".

"Dad", Uzi tried, "it's really not that big a deal".

"It is to me!", Khan exclaimed, "you're making your old man a grandpa!".

"Khan?", N asked clearly a little shaken from the older drone's display of emotion, "I think we need a little space".

"...".

"I wish your mom was here…". Khan pulled away, tears visible on his screen. N gave him an apologetic look.

"So uh, yeah", Uzi said, "that's why we need to move the workshop".

Immediately, Khan's mood perked. "Oh, of course!", he exclaimed, "baby needs a room after all! You're welcome to use your old room again!".

"Thanks… dad", Uzi gave him a meek thumbs-up.

Khan's hands became animated as he told them, "if there's anything I can do to help, just ask me. Your old man's got not much going on anyway".

"We'll think about it", Uzi said.

Khan nodded, "good. Just… anytime".

"We will", N said.

"Good", Khan rested against the back of a couch, "wow, that took a lot out of me. Your old man's not as young as he used to. Rusting bolts and whatnot".

"It's late", Uzi pointed out, "you should probably go recharge".

"Indeed I should", Khan agreed, "good to see you two again".

N nodded, "it was good to see you too!".

"It was… nice", Uzi said.

N parted from Uzi to extend a hand to Khan, "do you want me to walk you back?".

"Oh, I probably should", Khan accepted the hand.

"Great!", N chirped, "I'll take your dad home, Uzi".

Uzi nodded, "cool. I'm gonna tidy up here". She put her hand down on the desk again giving a knowing look between it and N.

N gave her a thumbs up and the two left Uzi and N's place. The two men walked down the corridor together, the few Workers out at this time parting for them. Once free of prying ears, N said, "sorry about earlier. Uzi's kinda been working through some stuff lately. Well, guess we both are".

"It's good to communicate", Khan said, "something I took very lightly with her".

"I dunno, we've always been good at that, but I guess we stopped when we kinda realized we wanted different things out of the relationship".

Khan raised a concerned look, "is everything ok?".

"Yeah", he shrugged, "it's not much, the baby thing and uh… just that I guess. I thought she was cool with not having any and I was too and then, uh, V and Lizzy had to have one and I realized some stuff".

"But Uzi does want one, right?", Khan asked concerned.

He nodded, "turns out she did, but she was just super convinced she wasn't cut out for it. Guess we've been avoiding the topic for a little while because of that".

"Look", Khan set a hand on N's shoulder as they stopped walking, "I think you two will be great at it. Uzi's got a caring streak in her, despite how I raised her. And you, you'll be a better father than I ever was. That's… something I can admit".

"Khan?".

"N, just… listen to me a second", he sighed as he found the words, "what I did to her was wrong, but I know you two will do a better job than I did. You get that kid, and you love that little piece of you and Uzi like nothing else".

"Piece?".

Khan turned away trying to hide some expression N couldn't catch, "don't turn out like this sad old man who's daughter barely tolerates him…".

N was immediately overcome with the urge to hug the older drone. He wrapped his arms around him, his taller body and longer arms making the other drone feel so small in comparison. Though he'd heard Uzi talk at length about how Khan treated and neglected her, in his own experience he just couldn't quite put that against him, not entirely. Sure, N was there when Khan left her to die, but staying disappointed in him forever didn't feel right when he was also in the wrong in that same moment. Khan had changed just as he did. Maybe Uzi would keep Khan at an arm's length forever, or maybe it was another thing Uzi found hard to reverse stance on. He didn't know, but he'd respect her opinion either way.

"Hey, Mr. Khan?", he tried, "it's alright. Don't beat yourself please".

"Oh. Yes. Sorry", Khan said before pulling away, "sorry about that".

"Everything's going to be fine. Don't worry about it", N said.

"Oh… I sure hope you're right, son", he set a hand on the door to his living area, "just let me know if you two need anything".

N nodded, "we will. Just make sure you don't tell anyone about what's going on until we're ready for it".

Khan offered a smile, "alright. Night".

"Night".

The door closed and N was left alone. Something about the conversation left his tail wagging as he set back for home.