(no subject)

[nofileext]

Phong pauses in setting up the med-scanner and stares at the couple. "Truly? Are you certain?"

Comments

[mendanddefend_archive]

"No, I'm not certain, that's why we want to run a test," Bob replies. "But there's definitely something that's changed since last cycle."

[command_dot_com]

"So I need to get a full scan." Dot continues. "And you're the only sprite I'd trust to keep this a secret."

[nofileext]

"Of course, of course of course." Phong resumes bustling about. "My goodness. You do realize that, if this is true, yours will be the first sprite child born in the city since... since Mainframe was first opened to the 'Net?"

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob blinks in surprise. He hadn't been thinking in those terms at all. "Really?"

[command_dot_com]

Dot goes hard and blank in the face.

"Bob, you remember what happened before we opened to the 'Net." You know, the gigantic harddrive destroying viral attack that took out the Sprite-side drive of Mainframe? And released two viruses into what remained? "After that no sprite families moved back into Mainframe."

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Oh."

Like we said, not thinking in those terms.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--"

[command_dot_com]

Bob's hand will be getting a little squeeze right now.

"It's okay. I know you didn't."

[nofileext]

Phong coughs. "Yes, well, I think we are all ready here. You are, ah, certain you would not prefer a female to examine you?"

[command_dot_com]

Oh. ...yes. That. She is going to have to get naked for the scanner.

"ah... I'm fine, Phong, really. I want someone I know won't talk about this." Dot says, turning a shade of jade and heading for the scanner table.

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob coughs politely and turns away.

Watching Dot get undressed in the bedroom is one thing. Watching her do it in a doctor's office is something else entirely.

[nofileext]

"Very well..."

Phong tries to minimize their embarrassment, conducting the exam in as efficient and businesslike a manner as possible, and tells them to come by his office in two and a half milliseconds for the results.

[mendanddefend_archive]

* * *

It's very, very hard to focus on anything during those two and a half milliseconds. Bob does a full circuit of the system looking for Tears, just to keep himself busy.

When he returns, Dot is waiting just outside the door to Phong's office.

"Any word yet?"

[command_dot_com]

"Not yet...but the this is the time he said for us to come and see the results."

It's like she never left the area.

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob nods and looks at the closed door.

"Should we knock, or...?"

[nofileext]

Not really; Phong opens the door. "Ah, right on time. Come in, come in." And he scuttles back off to his desk.

[command_dot_com]

"So what is the diagnosis, Phong?" She followed Phong inside of the office, getting right to the point.

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob trails behind, peering over Dot's shoulder to look at Phong expectantly.

[nofileext]

Phong stations himself behind his desk, looks at them over steepled fingers for a moment, and smiles suddenly. "Congratulations."

[command_dot_com]

If Dot was relaxed and calm before, she's not now.

The correct term for her expression and posture is 'glowing', though not literally.

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Oh my code..."

Bob goes from :| to :O to :D! in record time.

"We're gonna be parents."

[command_dot_com]

"We're going to need a nursery in an hour or so."

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob just shakes his head, a disbelieving grin on his face. "I'm a father. A father."

[command_dot_com]

"Down Bob..." Dot giggles softly. "You don't want to spread the word around right now do you?"

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Wha--oh, right. Discretion. Right."

[nofileext]

"You will not need to tell anyone for some time if you don't wish to," Phong notes. "I was hardly able to find the little one in your scans, and I was seeking it. If I may ask, when did...?"

[mendanddefend_archive]

"Last night. Glitch woke me up because something in the energy flows had changed, and I found out the change was coming from Dot, so I did a scan and..." Bob looks sheepish. "And I was wide awake for the rest of the night."

[nofileext]

"So new..." Phong smiles. "Your scanners are better than ours, my friend."

[command_dot_com]

"And he used all that nervous energy to cook up breakfast for an army in the morning." Dot says wryly. "I got suspicious when he tried seperating me from my morning Java."

[nofileext]

"Very wise, my son." Phong looks at Dot sternly. "I'm afraid you will have to lay off the Java."

[mendanddefend_archive]

"And no control flow either, right?" adds Bob. (Hey, it's his kid too, he has a right to be concerned.)

[nofileext]

"Indeed. And be sure to get enough sleep, and watch your diet! I have a list of foods you should avoid..."

[command_dot_com]

"I hope I am at least allowed chocolate and cocoa," Dot says, looking over the list with increasing dismay.

[mendanddefend_archive]

Bob reaches over to give Dot a hug. "I'm sure you'll manage somehow."