“That’s not very ladylike language.” Zas admonished Ezza. He put the screwdriver down and let go of Xias, who took off running in tears.

“Are you experimenting on our children!?” Ezza asked incredulously. Pepper was cowering behind her legs. They had just come back from the vets.

“No.” Zas replied.

“Yes, he was/is Pretty Baby.” Cameron said mischievously. 

“Yes, I am,” Zas amended when he saw the look on Ezza’s face at Cameron’s words. Turning to look at Cameron he said, “You’re helping me though.”

Ezza’s gaze swung, pinning Cameron to the spot.

“How about we explain?” Cameron offered. Ezza stood at her full height and crossed her arms over her chest waiting. “Right, off you go Zas, you explain to your girlfriend. Children come with me we’re going to go play in your room for a bit. Mommy’s gonna make Daddy cry.”

Cameron led the children down the hall towards their room. Zas slowly stood, he could tell Ezza was madder than ever before. That worm is going to get it if I survive this, Zas thought.

“Well? I’m waiting.” Ezza said, her tone colder than ice. Zas swallowed, and then stood up. Holding his hands out in what he hoped was a placating manner, he moved closer to Ezza. 

“Do you remember when Nigel Su suddenly turned human? It got me thinking, what if our kids could turn human too?” Zas said. Ezza gasped.

“So your doing DNA and gene experiments on our children!? You’re not even using the correct equipment!” Ezza yelled. Zas blinked slowly, that hadn’t been the reaction he thought he’d get.

“No? I mean what if I could disguise them as humans like we do everyday? Then they could go outside and play with Nigel Su, and we could take them places too. They’d be able to live actual lives.” Zas said. “Wait, so I could experiment on our kids if I had the right equipment?” 

“What? Absolutely not!” Ezza said, “What is wrong with you!?”

“But you said… you know what? Never mind, I don’t want to know.” Zas responded. He was mentally exhausted and they’d only been arguing for two minutes.

“I was just sizing the suits. It’s the last piece. Cameron’s been helping me gather the materials needed, and helped me design their suits. It’s not as sophisticated as ours. It’s image only, nothing else, but it should allow them to go outside. We…I was going to surprise you with it in a couple of days. Just bad timing that you caught us today.” Zas said. He did feel a bit disappointed that his surprise had been ruined, but after facing Ezza’s wrath, he was glad to have it over with.

Ezza stood still and looked at him. She’d known Zas since their academy days, he was an idiot, but he wasn’t malicious; never had been. Sighing she forced herself to gain control over her emotions. Inhaling deeply, and letting it go slowly, she smiled at Zas.

“Show me.” She said, she wanted to see what the two of them had managed to accomplish.

Zas almost stepped back, but stopped himself at the last moment. The feral and maddening look on Ezza’s face was sending chills down his spine. She was eerily calm, and the smile she was giving him reminded him of a predators smile when it had cornered its prey and was about to go for the kill. Nodding slowly, he led her towards the children’s room, wondering where she’d bury his body later.

Ezza pet Pepper on the head. Pepper had just run the training course and was panting heavily.

The sounds of the children laughing while playing with Cameron on the climber made her smile. She looked over to see Yara jumping up and down in the ball pit,

Xias was climbing all over the structure,

and Nigel Su was on the slide. He kept looking around him at the other children, a huge smile on his face.

It took a moment for Ezza to spot Tixxis. Finally she found her laughing to herself and shouting out orders. 

Ezza wandered over and saw Tixxis look at her.

Momma! Fishy! Whee! Tixxis yelled out laughing. Ezza smiled, and leapt right into the role of a pirate.

The two of them played Pirates for a while, Ezza losing track of time. She was tapped on the shoulder by Zas.

“Hey Love.” Zas said smiling. 

Da! Tixxis cried happily.

Hello Princess. Remember to use your words. He said tapping her on the nose.

“Da.” Tixxis said jumping up and down. Zas reached out to steady her, but she giggled and took off racing across the climber. Ezza laughed and took Zas’s hand. 

“Glad you made it.” She said. Zas leaned in a gave her a kiss on the cheek. 

“Well I couldn’t let you bring the kids home by yourself. Cameron’s gotta work, so I’m up.” Zas said watching the kids play. 

 

Cameron was listening to Nigel Su yell and jump at the wheel of the climber.

“Bad minster! Go way!” Nigel Su yelled at Cameron happily.

“Aw, I’m not a bad monster, let’s be friends space man.” Cameron said holding out his arms. Nigel Su giggled and then rushed over to where Cameron could grab him.

“Kay, fwends. Tik’s too.” Nigel Su said as Cameron carried him over to a bench and sat him down.

“Yes, Yes, Tixxis too.” Cameron said ruffling Nigel Su’s hair. He looked over to where Ezza and Tixxis had been playing but now he saw Zas and Ezza trying to wrangle in the boys. Tixxis was trying to play with Pepper. Pepper however, was bored, and laid down to sleep.

 

“I want you to be a gentleman with Tixxis. Help her home, and listen to Aunt Ezza and Uncle Zas. Well, Uncle Zas occasionally, mostly Aunt Ezza. I have to go to work, but I’ll come and see you when I get home, Okay?” Cameron said kissing Nigel Su on the head as he put him down. Nigel Su took off racing for Tixxis immediately. I’ve lost my son to a woman already and he’s not even in school yet. 

On his way out, he stopped and said his goodbyes to the children. Nigel Su was dancing to music only he could hear and Xias and Tixxis were hugging he hoped, Yara was running through the climber.

 

He also stopped and said goodbye to Ezza and Zas. He gave Pepper a pat on the head and then started heading for the Station. He could hear Ezza and Zas  gathering the children up and getting them ready to leave. He put his game face on, Su was coming in to monitor the department tonight. He needed to be on the top of his game.