This chapter cameos another author's oc, Antoine Klemmons by Singertobe, from Rebirth and B.T.C. Thanks!

Doctor Marbles rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses. Jackie hated that their fun day had been ruined. She gnawed her lip guiltily. The poor borg looked more tired than when he'd gotten there. She knew that it wasnt even close to being their faults, but Jackie couldn't help feeling bad. At least the forest was more relaxing than the overcrowded diner. The only noises were that of birds and a few Radsters on the bike path a little whiles away.

Doctor Marbles was seated on this lonely little bench that Digit had suggested. He looked grateful for a place to rest his back. Digit sat next to him, with the three teens sitting cross-legged in a semi circle in front of the bench.

Matt plucked at grass by the handful. He still wouldn't look at anyone. Digit was almost nodding off into sleep. Her and Inez, well, she guessed that they were just waiting. She had a feeling that even their company helped Dr. Marbles. They'd never see him this shaken up before. All she really knew what to do was…to wait. They'd sat here forty-five minutes and Jackie was prepared to wait all day, if need be.

"It's strange, children," Dr. Marbles said, making everyone else look to him.

Digit shook himself awake. "Huh? What? What's strange?"

Dr. Marbles removed his glasses and, using his shirt, wiped the specks of dirt off. "It's strange that, after all these years, after all these heinous schemes, I am still the most offended at the… delirious waste of potential."

"What do you mean?" Inez asked softly. A slight breeze played with the ends of her wavy hair.

"You kids… just couldn't understand exactly what I mean. Digit, perhaps you could. You were still very young, though." Dr. Marbles paused, staring at the glasses in his lap.

The kids, even Digit, waited for him to go on. He was silent long enough that she thought that was all he would say. A bird tweeted and landed on the grass nearby the bench.

Dr. Marbles sighed. "You know The Hacker better than anyone else on our side. But you never knew my Hacker, Hieronymous Hacker."

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Flashback:

Excitement rushed through everybody's circuits that day. It was late October and Thanksgiving was approaching quickly.

They were having a reunion, a real, tight knit family reunion. Motherboard had managed to drag her fiancé Antoine away from his research for a week or two. They knew that the dedicated borg was happy to have time with Motherboard, though. Dr. Marbles had convinced Ada to join him at Control Central, promising her guaranteed alone time and bribing her with a new notepad - not that it was that difficult. Digit was excited to have everybody back home. A few friends would probably be stopping in as well, but the biggest news - Hacker had announced his intentions to return as assistant technician.

Dr. Marbles tied a scarf around his neck. The warm weather was just giving way to the chills on cybersite Pompadouria, where Hacker's cybertrain from Radopolis went and where Dr. Marbles, Ada, and Digit were going to pick him up.

Digit was pinging off the walls in his excitement. It'd been a good few months since he'd seen his creator. And it'd been two and a half years since Dr. Marbles had seen Hacker in person. Inside, he was just as excited as Digit, and a little anxious. Had Motherboard and he finally managed to bridge the gap between them and Hacker? Had working on his own business with Coop, and managing his own employees softened Hacker's viewpoint just enough?

He stared at his reflection in the mirror, his hands frozen on the scarf. The young borg he remembered was sullen and angry. He was ambitious in ways that Dr. Marbles could never understand, and aggressive in a manner that Motherboard couldn't fight with. Ill-mannered, short-tempered, and bitter, lacking confidence and self-worth. He'd complained about the workload when he left Control Central, but Dr. Marbles could tell that he was holding back. He knew that the young borg could handle anything that he himself could - so what was his issue?

"Today's the day to reformat everything," he murmured. He and motherboard had to be the bigger people - and they had been. They were the parents after all. But eventually it was clear that Hacker wanted to be left alone, and all they heard from Hacker was through Digit, who visited him every three months or so.

Until a week ago, when Hacker had asked if the job was still open.

Dr. Marbles smiled - he was proud of his boy for overcoming his pride and bitterness. And he and Motherboard would welcome him back with open arms.

"Dear!" Ada cried from the bathroom, sounding exasperated.

Doctor Marbles turned away from the dresser. "Did you call me?"

Ada walked out of the bathroom, huffing. "No, love. I was frustrated with my hair, and said 'dear' in an 'oh, dear' manner, except angrily."

"You look nice," Dr. Marbles consoled her, unable to discern what the problem was with her hair. It always looked nice to him - shiny, smooth, blonde hair.

"And you look quite dashing in that scarf, my dear," Ada said. She jammed the last clip in her hair. "Oh, well, that'll have to do. Are you ready?"

Dr. Marbles grinned at her. "Quite."

Ada strode up to him and stroked his face with a gloved hand. "Your eyes are sparkling."

"I feel I might burst with happiness today," Dr. Marbles said honestly.

The loud banging on their door could only be Digit. "Are you guys ready?!"

Dr. Marbles looked to his wife. She slipped on her shoes, nodding assuredly.

"Start the cyber coop, Digit," Ada said. Digit cheered from behind the door, quickly followed by the sound of an crash.

"I'm okay!" His footsteps disappeared rapidly after that.

Dr. Marbles let himself smile. His worries could wait for today. Ada met his gaze and winked; he took her gloved hand in his own and opened the bedroom door for her. They walked together down the halls of the living sector.

Ada turned her head to whisper in his ear. "I'm glad you managed to work things out."

Dr. Marbles shook his head, smiling ruefully. "I, also, Ada."

He opened the door leading into the Control Room. He could almost feel the warmth ebbing from Motherboard's monitor; her happiness was ten times more contagious than Digit's. Quiet satisfaction and hope shined through the screen and pulled her lips in a smile.

"Drive safely, Dr. Marbles," Motherboard said, "and make sure that you have all of Hacker's luggage."

"Of course," Dr. Marbles said amiably. He knew that she was terribly disappointed that she couldn't just portal him in so both parents could greet him at once. They'd realized a few days ago that Hacker's date to return fell right on a routine update which just so happened to shut down the portal systems, and by then it was too late to adjust.

"Excuse me, please."

Dr. Marbles turned to look at who he was blocking as Ada pulled him to the side. Antoine walked past, barely balancing the stack of boxes and papers in his arms.

"Thanks," the taller borg said over his shoulder. He set them down a few steps away from the super computer and straightened himself to regard the departing couple. "You guys have fun, and hurry back."

"Yes," Motherboard agreed.

"I'm sure we'll be back before you know it," Dr. Marbles replied.

Antoine turned back to the update he was to do and Ada waved at Motherboard, then they were off to the hangar bay.

The coop rumbled in wait, Digit in the passenger seat and muffled loud music playing. When the bird saw the couple making their way across the near-empty hangar he quickly slapped the radio off and rolled down a window.

"Hurry up!" he cried. The bird had a habit of forgetting politeness when he was impatient.

"We're coming, love," Ada chuckled.

Dr. Marbles shot a disapproving look in the window at Digit. The bird shrunk back in response against the seat, most likely already guessing what the doctor wanted. Dr. Marbles gestured to the backseat.

"Awww," Digit mumbled, climbing into the back and making room for Ada to sit inside. Dr. Marbles got inside the driver's seat and after seat belts were clipped, the coop rose off the ground.

"I could've sat in the back," Ada said.

"Nonsense, my lady. Plus this way, Digit can sit with Hacker." He glanced in the rear-view mirror and saw Digit perk up at that.

Ada turned the radio back on, dialing down the volume slightly and shifting the channel to easy listening. The code in the sky blurred together as they gained speed. Fortunately, Pompadouria wasn't that far away. Ada and Digit sang along while Dr. Marbles resigned himself to wrapping his fingers against the steering handle. He felt too lost in his head to pay attention to the words.

The time passed quickly and as they drew nearer to the cybersite Digit said, "I got his room all set up."

"Oh did you?" Ada asked, turning to face the bird.

"Yeah. I made sure it wasn't dusty, and his old comforter on the bed. Speaking of that, I think he might need a bigger bed."

"I think Hacker should suffice with a twin extra long," Dr. Marbles said with a chuckle.

"I dunno, I mean, he's big now. You guys probably won't even recognize him!"

He braked the coop as they entered Pompadouria's and atmosphere. "I do believe he's always been big to you, Digit," he joked.

"I dunno," Digit said in a knowing tone, crossing his wings over his chest hatch.

Once Dr. Marbles had found a space in the vast parking lot next to the train station, the group clambered out of the van and made their way to station number four, Radopolis. A crowd of Pompadourians waited for their loved ones in front, all the chattering and laughing almost drowning out the noise of the speakers as the engineer listed off info.

He felt Digit's wings wrap around his hand, squeezing tight. He squeezed back, looking down to see a nervous little face. He leaned over and scooped the bird up so he could sit on his shoulder and see above the chaotic pompadourians. Dr. Marbles noted with a trace of humor that he and Ada were the only humanoid sized Borgs in the crowd.

"Thanks, Doc," Digit whispered, eyes glued to the shut doors. The bird was well aware of the previous tension between Hacker and his creators - it seemed to be making him nervous.

Finally, the doors opened! A flood of borg of all sizes poured out plus a fair amount of Pompadourians. Dr. Marbles' eyes flitted back and forth, looking for a skinny green borg in the crowd.

"Oh, dear, I was hoping that they'd all be Pompadourians. This would've been easier," Ada complained, squinting and pressing closer to Dr. Marbles as the crowd became even more dense.

Dr. Marbles frowned - he couldn't see him, anywhere. Was he still on the train? "Maybe we should go on board-"

"There he is! Digit yelped, vaulting off his shoulder and throwing off his balance. Dr. Marbles hastily grabbed Ada's hand as he stumbled. He righted himself and gave her a quick 'thank you' before looking to where Digit was running. He still didn't see him - just a Radopolitan, a taller Pompadourian and -

Dr. Marbles' eyes opened wide as Digit ran up to a large, barrel-chested borg who had his back turned. Was that Hacker?

"Hacker!" He heard Digit shout. The borg turned around, revealing the unmistakable face of his boy. It really has been two long, he thought.

Hacker grinned and hugged Digit; the cybird looked tiny in his arms. Dr. Marbles found his own lips spreading in a grin as he and Ada promptly shoved through the crowd to the two.

"Ah, Marbles, Ada!" Hacker said, releasing Digit and spreading his arms. "Thank you for picking me up!"

Digit was right - Dr. Marbles hardly recognized him. He'd grown a few inches taller, and finally grown into those big hands, long limbs, and almost…oversized facial features his peers had always teased him about. But the biggest change was in his smile - confident and huge, an effortless grin - happy.

Dr. Marbles felt pride burst in his heart, at everything, his efforts to return home, his accomplishments they'd heard about from Digit, his powerful stature, the unique kind of handsomeness that he'd grown into. He walked into Hacker's embrace, squeezing the borg's large frame. "It seems that you've installed quite a few upgrades!" he said, allowing his fraternal pride to shine through his tone.

The two broke apart. Hacker took Ada's hand and kissed it. Ada smiled and patted his cheek.

"Dr. Marbles is right. You've grown into quite a man now!" She said, making Hacker chuckle.

He held out his arm as Digit flew to land on his elbow. "I think I'll be even more of a man very shortly if Digit still cooks." He patted his stomach and winked at Digit.

"Well what're we waiting for? Let's go!" Digit cried.

The conversation came easily as they made their way back to the coop and eventually to Control Central. Hacker was full of stories and Digit was full of questions. Almost every time the borg detailed his response to a humorous situation, Dr. Marbles was surprised as he laughed along. Pleasantly surprised. He realized that he kept waiting for the slight sulking, the impatience, and sharp tongue - but that just wasn't there anymore. The borg who sat in the seat behind him was charming and kind, almost a stranger.

Dr. Marbles shook his head slightly as they neared Control Central. He was getting stuck in his head and probably acting aloof, though he didn't feel it.

The coop pulled in, and the jolly group climbed out as soon as Dr. Marbles turned the key to shut off the engine.

"Digit, why don't you and I help Hacker with his luggage?" Dr. Marbles suggested, looking to the cybird. He was already on his way to grab the sizeable suitcase from his creator but Hacker pulled it away from his grasp.

"No, no, I'm fine, really. Thank you, Didgy," Hacker said with a dismissive wave.

"Welcome home, Hacker." Motherboard's voice flowed into the hangar bay, warmth radiating from it.

The borg mentioned turned to face the screen near the corner of the room. It was a bit far away but large enough to show her ecstatic face. Dr. Marbles smiled, walking towards the entryway to the hall, giving them a moment.

"Motherboard! How I've missed you!" Hacker said. Footsteps told him that he was walking towards the screen.

"Your presence has been severely missed," she replied, in all her motherly love.

Dr. Marbles felt a slim hand slip through his elbow. He looked to Ada, who'd caught up to him while Hacker and Motherboard carried on their conversation. She simply kissed his cheek as Digit barged past, already on his way to the kitchen.

Antoine's voice came through a speaker. "Guys, come inside and talk! I'm starting to get lonely in here."

The group laughed and obeyed, chatting amongst themselves.

The dinner that night was one for the history books, a four course meal that Digit had poured all his enthusiasm into. The conversation flipped from topic to topic easily, from Antoine's research to Ada's poetry drafts to Digit's frustrations with crème brûlée. All throughout the night, Hacker laughed, cracked jokes, and helped with the dishes.

Dr. Marbles was starting to get a little… curious about what had happened to his boy. Where had that awkwardness gone? He'd expected to catch an expression or two of lingering bitterness, but he never saw it. He caught Hacker's eye every now and again; nothing was behind the ebony eyes that the doctor could pick up on. Any ill will that had consumed parts of his boy two and a half years ago was simply… gone.

"Of course, nobody could've expected that!" Antoine finished, igniting laughter. Despite not having listened thoroughly to the Tiki-Pompadourian's story, Dr. Marbles' lips pulled into a smile and he laughed heartily. Truly grown was the gangly, awkward, hurting teen, in place a healed man comfortable in himself and others.

A discussion would be had with Hacker sometime - a serious discussion, to see if there was anything needing an apology. Anything Dr. Marbles still needed to fix. But right now, he would enjoy the moment. He was happy, Motherboard was happy, and their family was together.

These were good times.

Dr. Marbles' glasses shook in his hands. "You see, Earthlings…" his voice trailed off, and he didn't want to finish. These memories always, always, always burned a hole in his heart anew. Every time he relived those tragic last few months of peace, a black hole of sadness threatened to tear him away, piece by piece. He couldn't even look at the children in front of him, let alone Digit.

Poor Digit knew just as well as I during those times.

Digit had been just as crushed as he as they watched the mask fall away.

Still, he forced himself to continue. "You see… when Hacker was… a very young borg, he was angry. Something had hurt him deeply that he would just never open up about, and our relationship deteriorated. He left for two or so years."

He could feel the Earthlings' eyes on him. They were completely silent, consumed in his explanation. "Motherboard and I, we tried very hard to reach him. And, in time, it worked. Or, at least, we thought it did."

Tears stung his eyes and he put his glasses back on, rage twisting with the sadness. "We were fooled, all of us. He came back the kindest, most generous and good-hearted borg one could ask for. It was a mask, and he blindsided us one night. It all came crumbling down in that one night, and I saw his true self for the first time. Heavens, I was a fool."

"That wasn't your fault," Inez said. His gaze shifted to the girl; she regarded him with an indignant sadness. He smiled ruefully at her. Her expression was replaced by confusion.

"I may not have seen his wicked self until he took that encryptor chip, but I did sense it," he explained. The words stuck in his throat, making his voice crack. Strange how he felt safe in these kids' presence. Maybe it helped that they knew of nothing, didn't have their own opinions of Hieronymous Hacker.

A gentle flutter in the air announced Digit's small flight. Dr. Marbles held out his arm automatically as Digit landed.

The cybird wobbled, hardly able to balance on the slim elbow. He righted himself and caught his eye, sympathy making his eyes wide and sad.

"We all could feel it, Doc. It's true that it's not your fault," he said.

"What do you mean?" Jackie asked.

"Heck," Digit said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can remember a good few times that something struck me as… weird. Like bad weird."

He lifted off Dr. Marbles' arm with a few swift flaps of his wings, choosing to land next to Matt.

"It sucks to remember it," Digit mumbled.

"It is a trauma," Dr. Marbles stated.

The kids were silent, waiting. Digit and Dr. Marbles exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

hahahaha angsttttttt

What? What's that you say? The plot's nonexistent?

Maybe...But I must...have...BACKSTORY

I always thought that that really fake niceness in the show could've been how Hacker acted before he tried taking the encryptor chip, giving everybody false hope. Poor Motherboard and Marbles :(

Thank you for letting me use your oc, singertobe! He's a real sweetheart for Motherboard.

Thanks for reading! If you have any requests for a character or backstory area that I haven't covered, write a review and i'll see what I can do. No promises, though ;)