Leroy and Oliver
Leroy arrived home in a particularily cheery mood. So cheery that Oliver looked up at him from his studies.
"You seem rather happier than usual today," he observed.
Leroy sat down on a chair across from him.
"That I am. I have good news."
"Really? And I expect I'm going to hear it whether I want to or not?"
"Absolutely."
"That's what I thought."
Leroy grinned broadly.
"Actually, I have lots of news."
"Well, best get started with the telling then."
"First of all... It is offical. I am the station commander."
Oliver's face lit up.
"Really? That's awesome! So they finally let you of field duty then?"
"Yep. It's taken awhile to convince certain people, but I have won. That station is still mine."
"Cool. I think it was rather cruel of them to try and take it from you after you went to so much effort," then Oliver paused. "What about Craig though? And Miette?"
"Only a telepath can help Miette, to my knowledge," Leroy replied. "And as for Craig, well, it'll just frustrate him all the more to know that I have better things to do that try to catch him."
"You two and your mind games."
"Not much good for anything else."
"Sure, sure. So, what's the other news?"
"Well, my first accomplishment as station commander was to organise a team to do something about the air quality. Technology and plantlife aren't enough to stop it from smelling stale it seems."
"Ahh, very good," Oliver nodded. "Fresh air seems like a forgotten memory."
"And -"
"There's more?"
"You know the apprenticeship scheme I told you about?"
"Yeah? You got that started too?"
"Yes. It's only optional at the moment, of course, give people a chance to get into the swings of things. Which brings me to something else..."
"Yeah?"
"I would like for you to be my apprentice."
"Me?"
"Yes. And for a number of reasons. Number one, I need to set an example if I want this scheme to work. Number two, you have been in on this from the start, and you have more than proven yourself capable of handling the responsibility."
"I didn't know I was being assessed."
"You weren't. That's why people noticed."
"Umm, right... Y'know, I don't know if managing a space station is something I want to do. I was considering becoming an agent, myself. Well, a fully fledged one anyway."
"That's all good," Leroy replied. "But you can't apply for that until you're 18. Still another year to go. And how good would thta look on your application - 'apprentice station commander'."
Oliver laughed.
"Okay, okay, you've talked me into it."
"Good. Say, where are Tate and Hunter?"
"See, you might have been a top agent, and now a station commander, but you're a pretty lousy father."
"Funny."
"They're at school."
"And why aren't you?"
"Exams this week. Almost done, thank goodness."
"Ahh."
"Say, Uncle Leroy?" Oliver asked slyly. "What's with you and Tanya?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, c'mon. No one other than yourselves know better than me, and Tate and Hunter that you two have been having sex."
Leroy raised an eyebrow.
"Tate's power is very interesting," Oliver said by way of explanation.
"Tanya and I are friends."
"Friends with benefits, you mean."
"And we've been friends for a very long time."
"Uh huh."
"What the sudden interest?"
"A very interesting message came for you this morning."
"You read my mail?"
"You forgot to logout. I was closing it for you when the message came," and Oliver wagged a finger at his uncle. "Someone's been careless, in more ways than one."
"How so?"
"It was from Tanya. She's pregnant."
Leroy stared.
"That's impossible!"
"No, it's not. I know that -"
"No, not for the reason you're implying. I mean, that... Tanya... Tanya can't."
"What do you mean she can't?"
"You would know by now that people who attempt to do more than they're capable with their powers can burn themselves out? Well, a few years ago, Tanya was in a situation, shall we call it, where she was very tired but she still had to use her powers to survive. She attempted too much, but on this occasion, because of what she was doing, instead of backfiring on her mind, it did on her body. Healers did what they could, but unfortunately she suffered a great deal of damage - you don't think she wears all that leather just for the hell of it, do you?" Leroy sighed. "One of the things that happened... well, let's just say she was told that she wouldn't be able to have children. One of the reasons why she took to Christian so easily, but Christian is another story again, and not one for me to tell. As it is, I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone that one."
Oliver nodded.
"You should read the message yourself. And then call. In case this is some strange prank."
"Not being able to have kids was always a sore spot for Tanya. If she says she's pregnant, it's no joke."
Leroy stood and left the table, leaving Oliver to consider what just occured.