Yukiko (to Vincent): I really appreciate the lift to Rangoon, Captain Potter. Poppy was a bit leery about me using my normal transportation.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): I don't blame her, hun. It's my pleasure. Especially, since it gave me an excuse to see my wife.
Yukiko (to Vincent): She doesn't show it all the time, just when she thinks no one is looking but she misses all of you quite a bit. I've caught her looking at a picture of you all together. It's very sweet.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): Heh. I know she does. We miss her too. We know this has been hard on everyone. Just don't let her know you caught her being sentimental. :-p
Yukiko (to Vincent): I know better than that. She's still upset with me for the ribs... That's one of the reasons I was sent here, I think.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): Heh. I know my wife, hun. The reason you were sent on this mission is because she trusts you can handle it. Not that she's not miffed about her ribs, of course.
Yukiko (to Vincent): Well, that's good to know.
A short time later:
Vincent (to Yukuiko): We're coming up on Rangoon now, hun. Have you heard from your contact yet?
Yukiko (to Vincent): Yes, I have. I'm supposed meet him at a noodle shop by the docks.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): Well then, let's not keep him waiting. I'll need at least 2 hours to pick up what we need. Shall we rendezvous here?
Yukiko (to Vincent): Sounds good. I'll see you, then.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): Be careful, sweetie. Call if you need me.
Yukiko (to Vincent): Will do... And, Poppy told me to tell you that you better do the same.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): I'm ALWAYS careful. Despite evidence to the contrary. :-p
Yukiko (to Vincent): Heehee, she said you would said that. I'll see you soon.
Vincent (to Yukuiko): Good heavens! I've become predictable! I am ashamed.
Meanwhile, at Robert & Jacob's house, East Piedmont:
Zoe (to Colin): Hey... You've been out here for awhile. I know all of that's a lot to take in. Are you okay?
Colin (to Zoe): Huh? Oh. Hi. Yeah. It's, uh... It's a lot to take in alright. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave you with my dads. Trying to make small talk that whole time must have been a whole shitload of fun. And when I say "fun," I mean, "Oh God, this is awkward. Colin, get your black ass back in here right now, you jerk!"
Zoe (to Colin): Heehee... It wasn't that bad. I just asked Jacob about him sleeping with Mouse years and years ago, which gave me time to escape. :-p
Colin (to Zoe): WHAT?! My Da slept with your mom? Oh my god... I'll never be able to look Ms. Emma in the face again. Heh. I'll bet Dad laughed his ass off.
Zoe (to Colin): Emma's not my mom, Colin. I'm her clone. I'm more like her twin. But, if it makes it easier to think of her as that, you can.
Colin (to Zoe): Oh. My. GOD. Sorry! I didn't mean "mom" like, you know, Mom. Capital em, oh, em. I meant like biological mom. I mean, my dads, they're my *parents*. They adopted me when I was three, and they're the only parents I've ever known, right? And, Tiffany, my biological mom, the lady who gave birth to me, she gets in touch from time to time but she's not my *parent*. Ummm, I am not making any sense here, am I? OK. It's like this. The way I see it, Mr. & Mrs. Potter, they're your *parents.* Everything else is just where the DNA came from. Yeah, it's kinda screwy, but that's how it goes sometimes.
Zoe (to Colin): Well, technically Esme Maladori would be my 'birth' mother, then... She's the one that made me. And yeah, Poppy & Vincent are my parents, the only ones I've ever actually known.
Colin (to Zoe): Heh. Oh my god, you are SO not helping with that kinda commentary, Frankensteinette. I, um, I was just kidding, you know. I didn't mean that in a derogatory way. I... Wow. That was a shitty thing to say. I really should never, ever open my mouth.
Zoe (to Colin): It's okay... Do you want me to leave you alone & head home?
Colin (to Zoe): No! No. Um, unless you're mad at me and want some space. I'm sorry. Making fun of stuff is how I kind of cope. It's… Well, sometimes it's downright insulting. You should have heard the horrible, HORRIBLE stuff I said after my birth mom decided she wanted to challenge my folks for custody. I didn't mean to make you feel bad or weird or anything. *Honest.*
Zoe (to Colin): I don't feel weird. I've come to terms with what I am... I just hope it doesn't change anything between us.
Colin (to Zoe): What? No, of course not. I meant it when I said that I didn't really care about where you came from, you know. I mean unless you're drastically planning on changing your personality, I still think you're cute and interesting as hell, and I would REALLY like to keep dating you. ... Unless you don't want to.
Zoe (to Colin): Are you kidding!?! Why wouldn't I want to keep dating you? I think you're fantastic.
Colin (to Zoe): Really? Oh good! I was worried that I pissed you off, or scared you off with my bad jokes, or… ... Wow. You're not mad, are you. Not mad at all. Unless, you kiss like that when you're angry...
Zoe (to Colin): Heh... There'd be much more biting if I was angry. ;-p Heehee, you're cute when you blush.
Colin (to Zoe): I have nothing to say to that!
Zoe (to Colin): ... I'm sorry.
Colin (to Zoe): Don't be sorry. Give me another kiss, and a week to think about it, and I'll have a KILLER response. You'll be impressed.
Zoe (to Colin): Heehee, I'm already impressed & you can have as many kisses as you'd like.
Colin (to Zoe): Well, that's a good start. I'll let you know when I'm satisfied. You might be at this a while...
Zoe (to Colin): I'm willing to give it a good try.
Colin (to Zoe): We should keep at it, then. For science.
Zoe (to Colin): Oh well, since it's for science.
A few moments later:
Robert (to Zoe & Colin): OK, you two. That's enough. Keep in mind, Jacob and I are still here. I take it you worked everything out?
Colin (to Robert): Um, sorry, Dad.
Zoe (to Robert): Oops, sorry... Got a little carried away.
Robert (to Colin & Zoe): Heh. It's alright. (to Zoe) Zoe, do you need a ride home?
Zoe (to Robert): Ummm, Is this going to be another chatting drive?
Robert (to Zoe): Heh. No, just a "it's late and cold, would you like to drive home in the heat" drive.
Zoe (to Robert): Thanks, but I'll take the shortcut... Thank you again for dinner. (to Colin) I'll see you later, Colin.
Colin (to Zoe): Yeah. Good night! Call me when you can. I mean, when I'm allowed to get calls. I mean... You know what I mean. Good night!
Robert (to Zoe): Good night, Zoe.
A minute later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Zoe: Oof... (to Nathaniel) Heehee, hi there, stranger.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You are *unnerving* when you grin like that, you know? I take it the dinner with Colin's parents went well?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee, yeah until Robert caught us making out on the porch. So embarrassing.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. You were making out with his parents right there? What the fuck? It's no less than you deserve, you pervert!
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh. Like you haven't done the same thing... I'm gonna grab a smoke. Care to join me?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Jesus, yes! Everything went alright, then? I know you were nervous as fuck before you left about how Colin would respond...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, I mostly just sat there & let his dads do the talking. They wanted to explain it to him before I told him anything... I told him where I came from but I didn't tell him about Hiiri.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Can't say I blame you there. How did he react? I'm guessing it all went well by your total lack of mope.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): He went out to the porch to think for awhile but he seemed to take it exceedingly well... Maybe, a little too well, actually.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh yeah? What do you mean, "too well?" What the fuck are you drinking?! It smells like paint thinner.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): It's just juice but I had Uncle Bernard's moonshine in this glass last night. Can't seem to get the smell out... I know I'm probably just being paranoid. I mean, after your initial freak out, you came to terms with all the wackiness.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Goddamn! Trust me. I think those *fumes* are enough to get you wasted. And you REALLY shouldn't use me as an example of a "normal" response. I mean, I thought I was schizophrenic for fucking years. Don't look a healthy response in the mouth.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): You're probably right... God, I know this is TMI, but I really wanted to rip his clothes off right then & there when he told me he didn't care where I came from... It sucks being fifteen & a clone, sometimes.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! Jesus Rolling Rimjob Christ! I can't even imagine. 15 fucking sucked for me... You know, you really shouldn't think of yourself as a clone. I've met Emma, and I've fucking read the files on Hiiri. You're not really either of them, are you? You're fucking Zoe. You shouldn't think of yourself as anyone else. Plus, you can't help but be fucking nuts. You're goddamn 15. You're insane by definition. :-P
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I know. I just meant that I have memories of doing a lot of things... A lot of sexy things. It just gets really awkward. I have normal 15 year old crazy & then, all of that other stuff, too.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. I wish I knew what to tell you that would make you feel better about all this shit... I really do. But, hey, look at it this way: there are people out there who can't even cope with, like a normal level of bullshit. My fucking ex is proof of that. You've got someone with crazy good coping skills. Don't worry about it. Fucking embrace it!
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh... That's my problem. But, I know what you mean. Thanks.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. No problem. I mean, take all this "advice" with a grain of salt. I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Well, you're what I've got. So, it'll have to do.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Wow. THAT gives me confidence in what I'm telling you. "When no one else will listen to your issues, ask a broken queer boy!" Don't make that face. I'm just kidding. I mean, it doesn't make what I'm saying any less true... Ouch!
