As I promised, I began looking for another occupation after dropping off Gambit for the day. Being an Ex-Disassembly Drone, there are fields that I can cover in multitudes- only downside is it's difficult to really shine when EVERYONE seems to distrust you! Not only was my reputation THAT bad, but it seems Smith's lies and vitriol spread to more areas of the colony than just his home and workplace. BLAST! I searched everywhere from medical institutes, all the way to custodial services but nobody seemed interested in having someone so "Dangerous" on the team. Begrudgingly, I stood before the door of my In-Law's office with my head full of replays of how this encounter would go when he saw that I had come to him for a last resort job to support Uzi and Gambit. I took a shaky breath in, and found the nerve to knock lightly on the door as I stammered, "H-Hey, dad! A-Are you maybe.... Kinda.... Sorta busy right now? There's something important I'd like to discuss..." Khan was still raw about the fact Uzi had become what she was, and blamed V and myself for her sudden transformation to this very day! I can't say I blame him, but the solver awakening was far beyond OUR doing. As I waited, the murmurs and glares from the W.D.F drones began to cleave themselves deep into me as I silently prayed to robo God that Khan had time to spare. After nearly half an hour of waiting the door FINALLY opened, and I quickly ran through the threshold as it snapped shut behind me- nearly catching my tail in the process when a voice boomed condescendingly, "So, my Son-In-Law decided to pay his wife's old man a visit? What is it that I can do for you, N?" "Y-Yeah..... O-OH, YEAH! Yes, I need something of you because, well, I quit my job as a mechanic because of..... Disagreements...." I explained awkwardly, rubbing my arm as I glanced around the room to avoid contact with Khan. "Really? Is THAT what happened?" He asked, still condescending as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Dad, PLEASE. You HAVE to believe me! There was a certain Drone causing me trouble so I splattered my lunch over him and quit." I explained, feeling exasperated by his attitude. "Riiiiiiiggggghhhhhttttt. Like you also felt threatened when your boss would reprimand you for disruption of peace? WHY would I want to hire someone like that? Besides, your work reputation is enough for me to put you on the curb, being late so much and all." I was stunned that he would say that bit about feeling threatened by reprimands, and I balled my fist as I replied sternly, "For your information, Khan, I can take accountability for my actions! What I will NOT do is cave in to constant ABUSE! Much like how YOU treated Uzi most of her life. At least I WANT to support her, and our child!" "My daughter loves me, and you KNOW it N! So don't you DARE bring her into YOUR problems! I swear, she could've found a more suitable Drone to settle down with but she was so obsessed with YOUR ways, and YOUR habits that she ended up becoming more than my beautiful disaster. And that child you got-Gambit? Be honest, when would YOU tell ME about her?" "Uzi and I planned to let you two be introduced when Gambit was acquainted with the colony and her home! Guh! We can't have ANY privacy to ourselves anymore..." I groaned, looking off to the side as I shook my head. "My final answer, N, is no. Now leave, or I'll have you removed!" Khan huffed, opening the door again, and coming to shove me out. "So, what, am I just going to have to let Uzi be the main source of income because you people are stuck in your prejudice, judgemental, and overall harping ways?" "HA! "Prejudice and Harping"." Khan sneered as I added, "And JUDGEMENTAL! We saved the dog gone planet, and shunned from eating worker drones and yet all of you waste NO time to hold it above our heads like Holly on a string at Christmas time! You all take one look, and think we're gonna just leap on you to tear you to shreds! You guys severely, SEVERELY mistreat Myself and V because you don't want to accept the CONCEPT that others have the ability to change, and lead happier, better lives than what was laid out for them! I just wanna be a happy man, with a happy wife and child that I can confide in when I need it, and know I won't be hated, or gaslighted, or bullied. I can't even BEGIN to have that because of Drones like Smith spreading these hurtful rumors that I'm gonna gobble up my kid in cold oil, and my wife's father accepting them because he made the mistake of marrying someone with the Solver Gene in them! I'm making up for my crimes by being a better me. By CONTRIBUTING! Does that mean NOTHING to you?!" I cried as he shook his head. "You two were monsters, and I was generous enough to let the two of you dwell here for my Uzi's sake. That DIDN'T mean you could take over our lives, and attempt to bring out your spawn!" "Uzi can't even HAVE kids! Gambit isn't even directly our own, but our love for her is what MADE her ours! And I'm so terribly sorry I was such an inconvenience to you and your kin; I'll keep that in mind the next time you invite US to a "family event" just to keep up the illusion that you support us! I know I can make mistakes, Uzi does too, but you TOO have made irredeemable mistakes that you try to pretend didn't happen! I can't deny my past, so why do YOU have the right to deny YOURS!" I was furious, and heartstricken to hear what my In-Law kept from me this entire time, and I was beginning to wonder if this pain and stress was worth it as I looked back up at the clock. It was nearly time to get Gambit! Defeated, I hung my head, and muttered to myself as I reluctantly left the room, but not without telling dear old dad what Uzi would think if I told her what he had said. I thumped heavily down the hall-adults still gossiping and babbling on about having a strike to throw myself, and my family out of the colony, or even petitioning to keep us away from kids entirely as a whole, meaning Gambit would be promptly ripped from us. I kicked a nearby wall with all my might, and my Disassembly Drone came out as I screamed angrily, "Do you people have anything better to do with your free time than ruin the lives other people?!" The Drones on the hall squealed in terror before hunkering themselves down in their workshops, houses, and indoor eateries to shield themselves from my hard words. I scoffed, and continued on my path to collect Gambit, praying silently that I'd be in a better mood when I got there. I knocked on the door to V's classroom; she opened the door with an equally tired expression on her face as she sighed, "Oh, hey. I'll just..... Go get Gambit for you, N...." she turned to get my daughter, but I quickly grabbed her shoulder as I asked, "You wanna talk about it?" Thinking for a bit, V looked back into the classroom at the sleeping children before closing the door, and leaning against it. "That Holbin kid.... He thinks his daddy's words are the Gospel, but he just doesn't understand!" She began, rubbing her arm lightly as she looked back at the door. "Yeah.... I've been having heck with his dad too, spreading lies and such. Made me quit my job because of it, and made it near impossible for me to find another after I did! It's so unfair- them trying to pin us as monsters after we've changed our ways. Filling up tool boxes full of oil, putting wires and metal bits in-" "The children beginning to lose trust, or give you their owies to feed from because they want security that they're still in a classroom and not a glorified pantry. Gambit was quick to set them straight, but only out of ignorance for what we used to be!" V complained, looking down at her badge. "V, tell me they're not..." "I'm afraid so, N.... If this keeps up, then more parents will come to complain or take their kids out of my class! Meaning my entire career will be based and taken on the account of rumors that nasty people would've told. Grrrrr, if only I could kill those rats! But what's the use? I've become too sweet for my own good." She lamented, sinking to the ground with a sigh as she put her elbows on her knees, and her head in her hands. "But then those rumors would be proven true if you did. This nicer side-it's more of the V I knew, and that everyone deserves to know! But I know what you mean.... We can only endure so much, right? Awww man, think of how rough Uzi's getting it now..." I replied, feeling a heavy pull in my core as I thought about Uzi getting pushed around. "Uzi's got more guts and restraint than we do, so I don't really think she'd let something like rumors get to her. We're just sensitive, I guess. But it comes with emotional and mental pain, huh?" "Yeah, I guess...." I replied when the door opened, and Gambit came out into the hall. "Papa? You're late! What happened?" She asked, tilting her head to the side as she held her bag. "Aren't you supposed to stay in class until she gets you?" I asked, raising a brow when Gambit said in return, "I'm sorry, but I knew you were here and Ms. V had a long day so I didn't want to bother her. The others were very mean today, and I just wanted to leave her alone and come to you myself. Did the work hunt go well?" She reached up, and I lifted her off the ground as I replied in a crushed tone, "N-Not today, sweetheart." "Not even from Daideó Khan?" She asked, her eyes looking more sorry for me than sad. "No, not even from Khan.... But don't you worry, Papa hasn't given up yet! I'll find something to help Mom take care of you, if it kills me." I assured, poking her where a nose would be if we had one. Her eyes grew wide in fear as she added quickly, "But we don't want it to actually kill you though, right? I don't...." V and I looked at each other, and laughed at her sweet, oblivious innocence as she grew annoyed, and stated, "What!? I don't want my papa to die at his job." "It's a figure of speech, Gambit. It means he's determined to help Uzi support you!" V explained, giggling. Looking between the two of us, Gambit's face softened into a look of relief as she breathed, "Phew! I'm glad that he's not serious about dying- I'd be really sad if I lost another Papa." She placed both arms around my neck, and squeezed as she set her head on my shoulder. This was the highlight of every father's life, and I treasured every bit of that hug as I embraced her back; V and I trying to hold back tears while she pulled away to peck my cheek, and settled her head back on my shoulder. "You're raising a good egg there, N. You and Uzi should be VERY proud!" V complimented, stroking her hair before bidding me a nice evening, and I took my sweet, silly, bright girl back home where she belonged. After getting Gambit home and cleaned up for supper, I watched her play with some toys that we got for her on the living room floor as I thought about what to tell Uzi, or her reaction to the conversation between Khan and I if he hadn't already twisted my words to turn her against me. Finally, Uzi walked through the door after about a couple hours of waiting, and Gambit leapt to her feet as she shouted happily, "Mhamaí! You're home!" Uzi kneeled down, and swept her off the floor as she said, "And she missed you and daddy bunches! Could I have kisses?" Gambit pecked Uzi's cheek, and she returned the gesture as she looked up at me, her face faltering in concern. "Job hunting didn't go so well?" She asked, and I simply approached her before pulling her into a hug and sighing. "Papa had a bad day today. Even Daideó wouldn't take him!" Gambit explained, to which Uzi asked in confusion, "Who?" "Your lovely father...." I translated with a grumble, pulling Uzi closer as she said, "Ah.... What HE have to say when you came?" "The same old "Jump on the bandwagon" stuff. Seems like he can't just give me the benefit of the doubt without saying how much I ruined your family dynamics." At that moment Uzi pulled away, anger flashing in her ombre eyes as she cried in outrage, "WHAT?!" "Yeah, he said I had no business being with you, and he only let V and I stay for your entertainment." I admitted, looking to the side in a sad kind of exhaustion. If Uzi was human, her face would be redder than the queen of hearts in that moment as she said, "I wanted you guys with me because I loved you guys! Specially, YOU N! If he wants to talk about "Ruining family dynamics" and claim you have no right to be with me, maybe I should inquire him about the time he left me for dead, and see who's ruined the "family dynamic" then!" "He also said that I had no right to try and have kids with you either- He KNOWS you can't produce, but it still cuts like a knife y'know?" Uzi widened her eyes, still enraged, and she set Gambit down on the floor as she stated firmly, "Firstly, I'm an adult in charge of MY body, Secondly, if I COULD have your babies, I darn well WOULD! I ain't no kid anymore, and if I gotta drag him but his big head into the hall to talk about it, I will. Nobody bad mouths Uzi Doorman, not even Khan!" "Daideó sounds mean.... I'm sorry he was a meanie to you papa." Gambit said, running back up to me, and hugging my leg. I smiled weakly as I looked down at her, and sighed, "There's nothing that can be done. It's not anyone's fault here for how he acts!" "Don't say that! You say that then he's NEVER going to realize what he said was messed up, N. You deserve SO much more respect, and he needs to be held accountable once in his miserable life." "Mhamaí's right. You're the nicest, bestest papa! Daideó can't be mean to you no more." I felt grateful for my wife and daughter, being so kind and loving no matter what the problem, but I also couldn't shake the feeling things would only escalate as I laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling after supper. Was this really worth the strain we already had with him?