Cameron was at work, he was sitting on the couch in his area and resting his head on the back of it with his eyes closed. He was exhausted; he thought he knew what that was from before, but he had had no idea. 

The house had been in an uproar for the past couple of weeks after Nigel Su’s arrival. Zas had been very clear that the baby was not to be stuffed into a corner. So the three of them had moved the office from its original room and into the garage. It was colder, and it wasn’t as finished, but it worked. The office had been redecorated to accommodate a baby, and it was something Nigel Su would grow into.

Ezza thankfully, was very helpful. Between the two of them, they managed to keep Nigel Su happy and his needs met. Cameron was grateful, his mother had been wonderful, well as much as he could remember of her; but she hadn’t been there. He didn’t begrudge her that, she had been someone who was leading, and safeguarding her people, but that meant that most people saw her more than he had. Watching Ezza was calming and the more he thought about it, Nigel Su deserved a mother too. Ezza was proving she was a good one. He loved watching the two of them together. 

Zas on the other hand was a task master. He lectured and taught Cameron everything he knew about babies from cooing, to feeding, to cleaning, to sleeping, to nutrition. Cameron was astounded, he had thought Zas was a womanizing lech, but maybe he had been a father too? Ezza was the one who told him how Zas had practically raised his sister Mai’illi, since neither of their parents would really have anything to do with her. It was definitely a new side of the man that he had never knew existed, but he very happy about it. 

 Cameron could feel himself falling asleep, when he felt the couch dip. He slowly sat up and looked over. Akira was sitting beside him, staring.

“What would you like?” Cameron asked.

“Relax. I just came over to check on you. You’re looking better than the last time I saw you.” Akira said looking him over. 

“Yeah being a man and having a baby will do that to you.” Cameron said dryly.

“Suppose it will.” Akira said moving closer. He took Cameron’s hand in his and leaned forward to talk quietly. “We need to talk, we found something. We should go somewhere a bit more private to talk.”

“Let go of my hand.” Cameron said coolly, tugging his hand out of Akira grasp. “Fine we can talk, but don’t touch me again.”

“It’s just a cover. Easier to think I’m trying to win you back.” Akira said his temper starting to rise. Why Cameron always had to be so cold to him, he could never figure out.

Cameron pulled further away.

“Cameron, look I just want a chance to talk. You don’t need to treat me like a leper.” Akira started a little more forcefully than he had intended. Why was Cameron making this so difficult, he thought.

“That’ll never happen.” He said.

“It could.” Akira called loudly as he started back towards his own office space.

Cameron shook his head as he watched Akira walk away a smile on his face. He felt a little shaken, Akira still had all his charm and one thing Akira was, was persistent. It had always been one of his more endearing… no charming qualities. Sighing, he stood and went to his computer, he had better get some work done before he picked Nigel Su up from the daycare. 

Zas knocked on the door to Cameron’s room. He was feeling a little worried for his friend. Cameron had come home, and rushed to put Nigel Su in his room. Then he’d disappeared into his room. Zas had checked on Nigel Su and waited for Cameron to come out, but he hadn’t. Zas hadn’t seen him this worked up in awhile. He waited patiently for Cameron to open the door. Knocking once for good measure, he impatiently tried the door knob. The door opened and he peeked in. Cameron sat ready to go out, but was just staring at the wall. Zas looked to make sure Ezza wasn’t around then entered the room, closing the door behind him.

“What’s up?” Zas asked. Cameron actually jumped a little, like he had been startled. Now, that’s unusual he thought. Cameron gave him a fake smile.

“I’m going out. One of my informants found information that may be helpful. Can you and Pretty Baby hold down the fort with Nigel Su?” Cameron asked tugging at his sleeve out of nervousness.

“Sure, once you tell me the truth.” Zas said crossing his arms across his chest. Cameron looked at him and blinked.

“It’s Akira. I’m meeting Akira, it’s the first time…” Cameron trailed off as if his thoughts were scattered.

“First time outside of work. Alone, no one else there.” Zas finished for him. Cameron just nodded. He felt disappointed with himself. He was stronger than this.  Zas came over and stood in front of him, then wrapped Cameron in his arms.

“Call me if you need me. Nigel Su will be fine with Ezza.”

“I’m glad you came.” Akira said rising out of his seat. He welcomed Cameron, and then sat back down. Cameron pulled out his chair and sat. He had left Nigel Su with Zas and Ezza to come here, but he was worried about being away too long.

“Do you want a drink?”Akira asked him.

“No, this is not a date, we’re not here for a good time. What did you want to talk about?” Cameron said a little irritated.

“That’s not in the spirit of keeping up appearances. One drink won’t hurt, and who knows you may actually enjoy yourself; like old times.” Akira said shooting his fingers at Cameron. Cameron couldn’t believe he had once thought that this was attractive. He fake swooned. 

“Fine, one. Non-alcoholic. Before I puke.” Cameron said in a cheerfully sarcastic tone. Akira nodded soberly and got up to get it. He recognized Cameron’s stubborness. Fine, if he wanted it strictly platonic tonight Akira could give him that. After all, he knew Cameron better than anyone and he could afford to be patient while Cameron’s wall crumbled.

After he returned to the table, they talked for a bit about inane things, and work.  Making to make sure no one was listening, Akira swung around to the point. 

“They weren’t the first ones here.” He said straight to the point.

“What? I need more than that.” Cameron snapped.

“They weren’t the first ones here. I don’t know who was, but in the older records they mention piggy backing off another races tech in the beginning. They mention somewhere they called Ground Zero, but there’s little pockets of it in most cities.” Akira said looking rather pleased.

“They piggy backed? How have we not heard of this before?” Cameron asked more to himself.

“It was hushed up. Apparently while some of their tech could be piggied off of, most of it was beyond comprehension. They couldn’t touch it, or understand it. So they used what they could, and then buried the rest in history and rumours. Cameron if we could find this Ground Zero, if we could study it, we may find away to not only bring down the webbing, but to get rid of them altogether.” Akira said feverishly, it was always what he worked for. Earth, just for humans. Cameron nodded.

“When that day comes, we could live happily-“ Akira had reached out and placed his hand on Cameron’s. Cameron snatched his hand back and stood up.

“That day will never come. Especially since I’m one of them.” He said a little angrily. Then he turned and walked out the door leaving Akira alone in the bar.