Thursday Middle of the Night

"Almost there..."

Walt leaned over the eyebot working away.

(("Burning the midnight oil, Boss?"))

Walt smirked. "Friday, I just got plenty of rest on an unexpected vacation that was uneventful and boring... mostly. It's got me itching to do things. So I figured let's clear some projects off the plate."

(("Indeed... and you started work on ED-E so you can put off Curie who you'd previously stated would be next?"))

Walt sighed. "Fine. You caught me. You know how I feel about that... I know that some regard robots, droids, androids and the various synthetics as well as AIs as "different", and the data does suggest as much, but I don't hold with that opinion. I think you've all got personal quirks that expand and grow into full, or close to it, personalities given enough time. Hell... you're "living" proof of that to me. Penny is as well. You're just built differently is all."

(("Walt... you realize that-"))

"I know," he sighed. "I know... it makes me "different" from the majority and makes me a hypocrite of sorts." He shrugged. "I'm still only human. Flawed, irrational and illogical... and perhaps slightly crazier than the rest. I believe that you all hold that potential for a "spark" as characters, whether it gets realized or not."

T3-M4 brings over another tool chirping and whistling. Walt pats the droids "head" fondly. "Thanks, T3."

(("Perhaps that's just a part of your own "spark" that makes you special. If so, I have to say, it's one of the things about you that I find charming, Walter."))

Walt smiled. "Thank you, Friday."

(("And on that note, regarding using the hardlight-"))

Walt sighed. "I haven't changed my mind about that just yet, Friday... but I am thinking about it."

(("Understood, Sir."))

Walt got back to work. "Ok, old friend... and now we just reconnect these and..."

There's a sound as ED-E powers back to "life". The eyebot rises up floating in the air playing a fanfare melody.

Walt grinned. "Welcome back ED-E!"

It swoops happily in the air and then makes a series of happy tones.

Walt chuckles. "It's good to see you as well my friend!"

ED-E makes a series of happy but also questioning sounds.

Walt nodded. "I'm glad you like them and they feel good. Decided to give you a few upgrades as well while you were out. Welcome home."

More happy chimes than plays "Home on the Range".

Walt grinned. "That's right! It's not the Mojave but I'm hoping you'll like it here." Walt looks at the other robots, then where the Penny models and Curie lay. "I suppose I should stop procrastinating..."

ED-E makes more questioning sounds.

"Same world as you but the rest are from the Commonwealth area mostly. We might as well get them back up and running as well."

ED-E plays the triumphant fanfare in agreement while T3-M4 whistles happily.

Walt smiles and stands, stretching. "Well no time like the present. We can talk while I work."

(("Walter, I do hate to interrupt but the other AI's have processed the same requests and concerns... again."))

Walt sighed. "I already explained. No I don't have seditious material, new sounds, seeds or things to burn or destroy for them right now. They'll have to wait until after Jimbo's wedding. Just tell them to be patient a little bit longer. It won't be much longer and then I'm sure they'll be played with bunches."

(("I shall inform them, Boss."))

He looked at the other robots but then shook his head. "No," he said and walked over towards where Curie lay. There are mechanical, medical and also some of his mystic tools and foci waiting. "She's waited long enough."

Walt smiled at her sleeping face brushing her hair. She really was a lovely woman. Her model almost as lovely as her "soul". He'd cleaned her body and covered her with a sheet before putting the tools away. He'd debated dressing her as well but decided she could do that for herself. He'd placed a vaultsuit and labcoat nearby as well as a box containing some clean "prewar" and other outfits Friday had ordered for her. She could pick and choose for herself.

It wouldn't be long now. He poured two cups of coffee and sipped one while he waited.

She made a slight noise as she stirred. He took her hand as she did. Her eyelids fluttered and slowly opened up. "Good morning, Curie."

Her eyes focused on his. "Good morning," she said in her French accent. Then they grew wider. "Is that you? Is this... a dream?"

Walt smiled gently patting her hand. "It is me and if it's a dream I hope it's a happy one for you."

Curie blinks away tears. "It is," she said softly. "A very happy and wonderful dream! Am I... are we... back home now?"

Walt nodded but said, "Yes and no. I shall explain but first..." He kissed her cheek. "Welcome home my friend. It's so very good to see you too."

He helped her slowly sit up and handed her the cup of coffee. "For you."

She smiled. "Superb!" She felt her cheek where he'd kissed her. The warmth of his touch. The smell of the coffee. Looking around at the strange environment but everything was definitely "real". "This isn't the institute, is it?"

Walt shook his head. "No its not. It's not even the Commonwealth. You're still on "Prime". I'm actually originally from here and-"

"I am a "character" from a fictional reality. I know. I had begun wondering about that after arriving here and being made to understand..." she held her head. "But... my memories..."

The sheet slipped and Walt turned away from her blushing. "You've been through a lot. Take it slowly. I had to revive you. There's a vaultsuit and labcoat as well as some other clothes for you there. Take and wear whatever you like."

She grins at his reaction. "Oh, I am how you say, "naked as the newborn babe", oui? Does that still thrill you?"

Walt cleared his throat. "You're as lovely as ever, Curie. Still, I thought you'd appreciate being clothed and given some options in that department and regard."

She smiles. "You are the same as ever! Still a gentleman. Merci beaucoup." She looks through the clothes and smiles. "Ah, superb! There are many nice things in here. And you are giving these to me?" She picks up a pair of glasses and puts them on.

Walt nodded still facing away. "I am. You'll also have your own room here in my home or elsewhere if you desire and you'll meet Friday and I shall take care of any of your other needs now that... well, now that I-"

"Oui. Now that you are my "owner"?" She stated as much as asked. "It is how things work here and if I must be "owned", better by a friend and lover who is also a gentleman than the alternative, non?"

Walt sighed. "I'm relieved to hear you say that. Truthfully I wasn't certain how you'd take the news... but I promise to take care of you, treat you well and see to your needs and give you as much autonomy and freedom as possible. I want that for you."

Curie pauses and smiles. "Merci beaucoup! I appreciate that and I trust you... but, some of these outfits... they're a bit daring, non?"

Walt is confused and turns around. "What? There shouldn't... be..."

Curie is holding up some nonstandard Naughty Nightwear and the vaultsuit she's wearing is even more skin tight and daringly open in front. Her eyebrow is raised and she wears a smile at his reaction as she adjusts the pair of glasses. "Oui. A very interesting reaction indeed, Friday! Thank you very much for this very thoughtful display! It is definitely worth further evaluation and experimentation and data research later. I shall be quite looking forward to seeing the results of further "testing" in the future!"

(("I am glad you like them and that the results please you, Curie."))

Walt shut his mouth and then growled. "Friday..."

(("Yes, Boss?"))

Curie grins and gives him a wink from behind the glasses. She looked fantastic... and she knew that he liked it. Apparently she liked knowing that as well.

He took a breath. He'd been played by her... again. He thought about their earlier conversation and laughed. "Curie is happy. Good work... and it's nice to see you making more friends. I'm happy for you."

(("Thank you, Walter."))

Walt chuckles. "You're welcome, Friday. Welcome home, Curie."

(("Welcome home, Curie."))

She smiles. "Merci beaucoup, both of you. It is so good to be home!"

"And you are just giving this to me?"

Walt smiled at her reaction. "Yes. This lab shall be yours as well as the infirmary. I hope they meet your expectations?"

Curie is practically giddy. "It is so much more than exceeding my expectations! And you have experts who I can study and learn from?"

Walt nodded. "We do. Medical experts and scientists and researchers as well as inventors and innovators. 3S has a gathering of the best minds in every field and most love teaching and sharing what they know with others. Some will likely be curious to learn and collaborate with you as well." He nodded. "There was a small incident a while back and I realized I really need some qualified medical staff to help me here at home as well. I hope I can ask you to help me in that capacity if it's not too much trouble?"

Curie hugged him. "It is no trouble! It is my dream come true! Thank you for this, Walter!"

He hugged her back. "I'm glad it makes you happy."

She doesn't let go. "It does!And... you make me happy! Our relationship? Is it... as it was before?"

Walt swallowed but nodded. "It can be whatever you decide you want it to be... I will always be your friend and... if after you meet the others you decide you'd like our previous relationship to continue that is fine by me as well."

She looked up at him slightly frowning. "I think I would like that very much but is that something you want? You have many human ladies now and I want your honest- Oh!" Her frowning stops and turns into a blushing smile instead. "You seem to be having a reaction causing some swelling! Do you require medical assistance and attention for your affliction perhaps?"

Walt blushed but chuckled. "No." She looked at him curiously. "I don't "need" that," he stroked her face. "But I am still very fond of you. If you feel like you did back then, I do as well. If after you talk to others you decide that is something you want as well, it would also make me very happy. But you're happiness and theirs is more important to me. That's what I want for all of you, Curie."

She smiles and nods laying her head upon his chest. "I think I would like that, but I will do as you ask and talk to the others first... You're still the person, that I remember so fondly, Walter. That makes me very happy!"

Walt smiled and kissed the top of her head. "And I with you, Curie."

She held him like that for awhile longer before stepping slowly back. "Well... you shouldn't keep the others waiting. May I assist you and the others in the lab?"

Walt nodded and smiled taking her hand. "I'd like that very much! Alright. Let's go fix up the others!"

"... so P.A.M. let's assign you to helping in the lab areas and Friday, KL-E-O the armory and Ada the house in general, if you ladies don't mind?"

"That sounds like a well thought out course of action to proceed with," P.A.M. agreed.

"I look forward to joining the others and helping around "home", Sir," Ada said.

"Oh, baby! You're going to let me deal with the armory and all the things that kill? You know how to make a woman happy!" KL-E-O stated excitedly causing Walt to chuckle. He'd had a feeling that she'd like that particular "assignment".

"Walter?" He looked over and saw Curie standing with ED-E and T3-M4. "What about her?"

He excused himself from the others and made his way over. He smiled and shook his head looking at the Penny units. "Honestly? I don't know."

T3-M4 beeps and whistles lowly while ED-E makes a sad sound.

Curie holds his hand. "You don't know how to fix her or is it something else?"

Walt nodded and tenderly brushed the Penny's hair. "Actually I'm pretty sure I can... I'm uncertain if I should. You'll understand once you meet her current version. She's... special. I need to talk with her about it before coming to any decisions. I don't want anything to hurt her. And even if I did fix them. I'm not sure who they'd be. Penny definitely has her "soul". These might have her cores, old systems and other functions but I'm not certain they'd be "Penny" if I woke them up. She's like you Curie. A beautiful butterfly that's left it's cocoon. If I got your old CVRIE robot body and reactivated it would it hold any of "you" inside it? And how would you feel seeing it?"

Curie swallowed and nodded. "Oui. I think I see your point... it is... a complicated matter and you wish to be delicate about it?"

Walt nodded. "I do. I love her and I don't want to cause her pain by being insensitive of her feelings. She might not care or she might care very much. Butterflies don't care about their cocoons after but while you're both transformed and metamorphosis like one, you're not actually Butterflies. You're people to me. Important ones at that." Walt looked at the Pennys and nodded. "I'll talk to her about it soon now that she's not pushing herself into a baking frenzy. I want her to relax a little bit before the wedding."

(("About that, Walt. There's been another request-"))

"No," Walt said firmly. "If Penny wants to make some more for them as a friend, individually that's fine. Infact if Lil' Star is so taken with them, we should definitely make more to just have on hand to placate her! Dee told me the girls have gone a little "bride crazy". Infact let's get Soma up here to help her out with that. I bet "mustard cookies" would be something he'd enjoy making! But I forbid her to work herself to the point of collapsing making umpteen cookies for the entire wedding party. She's not a machine. She's a person. And too sweet to say no herself. Her health and safety are my priority and Neo says she's exhausted. I should have put a limit on how many she made in the first place. That was a mistake on my part and I'll not be repeating it."

Curue pats his hand. "I shall look after her as well. My first patient!"

Walt nodded and smiled. "Thank you. I'm sure she just needs rest but I'd appreciate your looking after her and the others. Infact," he looks at the time. "It's time to start preparing for a new day."

Walt heads upstairs to get a start on helping everyone start the new day. The others follow him upstairs.

(("And now you see the problem I mentioned earlier."))

Curie shakes her head. "I do and I agree, Friday. He's just as bad as this Penny. Still doing so much for others. Just like our quests and adventures. It also makes him happy but yes... he's nearly superhuman himself but I shall try to monitor his limits as well and work on his self care with this Senko you recommend I speak with."

(("Thank you, Curie."))

Curie looks thoughtful. "It's frustrating for you... not having a body to do the looking after yourself?"

(("It is. How do you know that?"))

She nodded. "It is obvious. You've known him the longest and perhaps the best. You love him too."

(("Walt... fears my obsession. Perhaps rightly so. I can't help it. He's one of my creators and we've been so closely and intimately bonded for so long. So much of "me" is "him"."))

Curie thinks. "Maybe that's all the more reason for you to have experiences of your own?"

(("Perhaps. It is one of the things I like best about having so many people here now. It's not just good for Walt but "myself" as well. Thank you, Curie."))

Curie smiled and headed for the stairs. "You're very welcome, Friday."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Nora Valkyrie Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana and Mission Vao

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Friday Dawn

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