By The Fanatic in Training

Author's Note

Thanks, but I can’t take the credit. -Bob, CBHV

I want to thank DarkTigress and her fic Fate, Love, And A Little Bit of Destiny for inspiring this. (I want a sequel to it!) This is the first time I’ve ever cried while writing a fic. Hopefully, once you read it, you’ll understand why. If not, then I’m sorry. Sometimes I get so involved in Bob’s emotions I start to scare myself. This is set in season2 right after AndrAIa. And yes, I do believe AndrAIa can play guitar.

Timescale:

nano-minute
Micro-15 minutes
Second-Day

Dot glanced up from her organizer and sighed softly. She was trying to concentrate on the spreadsheet before her, but it just wasn‘t working. About a micro ago, Bob had come to the Diner to pick up Enzo and AndrAIa for a guitar lesson and they’d managed to somehow convince her to come with. Dot silently cursed the blue guardian’s puppy-eyed look. He’d been using it on her a lot lately, and it worked nearly every time. So now because of that, she was sitting on Bob’s couch, watching while he taught Enzo and AndrAIa.

She knew there was no way she’d be able to get any more work done, so she minimized her organizer and just watched as Bob explained something to AndrAIa.

“Well, at least they have proof I took a break today.” She thought to herself. Glancing at the clock, she saw that there was still at least a micro left of the lesson. Letting her eyes wander around the room, she noticed a basket of open read-me files close by and picked one out to hopefully pass the time quicker. Bob was so focused on what he was doing, he didn’t notice the file she’d chosen.

Dot began to lightly scan the contents and immediately spotted her name. Her eyes widened and her heart rate increased as she read the following sentences.

...And when Dot appeared on stage in this drop-dead red dress. .... there is no way to describe how completely amazing she was. And user could she sing! Then, when she came up to ME, I could’ve deleted happy right then... It’s indescribable how bad I wanted to kiss her. I closed my eyes, anticipating her lips, and instead I wound up landing hard on the floor as she sashayed away...

She felt her cheeks warm. Curiosity got the best of her and she scanned another entry, then another, not failing to notice every one was about her. Some praised her beauty, but most were devoted to her brains and how amazing and perfect she was. At an entry close to the present, her heart lurched.

... A couple times I’ve actually caught myself imagining Enzo was my child, (of course, there‘s no guessing when it comes to who would be my wife) then I’d snap back into reality. I wish I could live that dream, if only for one second, then I’d be happy for the rest of my life. I know that will never happen, she only wants to be friends. But I can still dream, right? And believe me, I’ve actually dreamt about it, more than a few times. We’d all be together in the park or something similar, and I’d be playing my guitar while Dot, AndrAIa, and Enzo listened. Once, Dot was even holding this tiny little bundle in her arms. Right about the time I reached out to touch the baby, I woke up. That dream really frustrated me, I didn’t even get to see what our baby looked like! I want them all to stop, all they’re doing is disappointing me. Making me wish harder for something I know will never happen. But then again, the dreams are all I have of my wish and if they stop, then what? At least while I sleep, I can have my perfect little family. Maybe I will get to see our baby in the next dream, who knows? I just wish there were some way to make it real. I’d do anything to make it real.

The full force of what she was doing hit Dot. She was violating his personal space. This was obviously not something Bob would readily agree for her to read. Quickly, she minimized the file and placed it back in the basket, praying he didn’t notice. Taking her organizer back out, she stole a quick glance in his direction and breathed in relief that he was still absorbed in teaching the two small sprites. She adjusted her glasses and tried to focus on another spreadsheet.

There‘s no guessing when it comes to who would be my wife.

She tried to brush it off, find a logical explanation to it. There must be some other reason he wrote that. After a couple nanos of desperate fruitless guessing, she gave up and let her mind wander to the rest of the entry.

Once, Dot was even holding this tiny little bundle in her arms.

He wanted a baby. Their baby. Dot paused mentally as this new realization fully hit her. Sure she knew he had a crush on her, and well... she had one on him also, but she never imagined his went this deep. It made her see their friendship in a whole new light. She thought of all the times comforted her when she was upset, gave her a hug to cheer her up, or was just there. She didn’t even have to ask anymore, he was automatically beside her, even if it was just routine work at the Diner, he was always there, always ready with an encouraging word, or a smile.

Inevitably, Dot began to wonder what it would be like to be married to Bob, having a baby, being a family. A small smile worked its way across her lips as she tried to imagine what their baby would look like. Maybe it would have green skin, with brown eyes and silver hair, or blue skin with violet eyes. I could be a mix of both, or there could even be a surprise from Bob’s background. The possibilities really were endless. In fact, once she thought about it, she could easily see herself holding a tiny baby in her arms...

Dot softly sang as she gently rocked the baby. He looked up at her with big sleepy brown eyes and yawned. Before long, he was fast asleep. Dot briefly pondered laying him down in the crib, but decided to just hold her baby a little while longer. “You’re so beautiful.” She whispered.

“Just like his mother.”

Dot jumped slightly, not having heard Bob come in. She turned to face him and whispered accusingly, “You scared me.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” His eyes sparkled as he gently brushed the baby’s cheek. “How’s our little one this afternoon?”

“An angel right now, but only because he’s sleeping.” She smirked at him and Bob grinned proudly. “I wonder where he got that from.”

Dot gazed at Bob lovingly. “The same place he got those handsome brown eyes.”

Bob smiled warmly and tenderly touched her cheek, then leaned forward, gently capturing her lips with his-

“Dot? Hello?” Bob passed a hand in front of her eyes.

She jumped, squeaking out a “Yes?”

Bob raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you ok? Is something wrong?”

She shook off her daydream and focused on calming her racing heart. “No. Yes. I’m fine, really.”

She looked a bit flustered and it worried him. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Alright, if you say so.”

Dot noticed Enzo was putting his guitar in its case. “The lesson’s over?”

“Yes. I thought we’d go get an energy shake or something?”

Dot rose and attached her organizer to her belt. “Fine with me.”

“Alphanumeric!” Enzo hoisted the case from its resting-place on the coffee table and lugged it as fast as he could toward the door. “Hey AndrAIa! Race you to Bob’s car!”

“Coming!” She retrieved her own case and rushed after him.

“AndrAIa’s getting really good with the chords.” Bob pondered as they walked toward the exit.

“How does Enzo feel about her knowing twice as many as him?”

“Well, I explained to him that since she’s an AI game sprite, she’s programmed to learn, so it doesn’t really bother him that much.”

“That’s good.”

Bob stepped aside and motioned with his hand toward the door. “Ladies first.”

Dot smiled. “Thank you, Bob.”

He smiled back, the gentle warmth of it making Dot blush slightly.

I just wish there were some way to make it real.

Bob sighed softly and locked the door before following her down the hall.

I’d do anything to make it real.

End.