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Matrix and AndrAIa returned to Mainframe recently. This is good.

They told their friends and relations that they were married, and indeed had been for some time. This is also good.

They also let it slip that Bob has known about their marital status for some time now, and didn't tell anybody. This, for Bob at least, is Very Very Bad.

Long story short, Dot is pissed and Bob is sleeping on the couch for a week. If he seems a little groggy today, that's probably why.

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"Hello Bob—" Sudden pause. "What's wrong now? You look like you're running on fumes."

Last time it was "Bob's scared of Dot". This time it's "Bob's sleepy because of Dot".

He's got to learn to stop meeting Bob when the Guardian's like this.

"The good news is, Dot's no longer mad at Matrix and AndrAIa. The bad news is, she's now mad at me and I'm sleeping on the couch for a while."

"Oh."

Some things are universal constants, it seems. Like being sent to sleep on the couch.

"That means they returned, right? So why is she cross at you now? You didn't arrange for this to happen."

A long sigh.

"Because... I kinda knew why they left in the first place, and didn't tell anybody."

"Was it something you were supposed to tell Dot? And didn't?"

"It was something I promised AndrAIa I woudn't tell Dot, actually."

Dot obviously didn't accept that as an excuse.

Rad, obviously, would think it a good reason.

"AndrAIa probably thought it better if she did the telling. If it involved her and Matrix."

Some people like it better when they do the secret-telling.

Bob nods. "And that's what happened, but then they let it slip that I already knew..."

And the rest is history.

"Not purposefully but accidentally?"

Bob knowing was Bob's secret to share, wasn't it?

"Mostly accidental. I think."

Matrix would say it was accidental. His part.

Thoughtful look.

"Does this have anything to do with the wedding plans Dot wanted them to get started on?"

Bob headtables. "Yes."

Uh, oops?

"They didn't run off and get married, and you were supposed to keep that secret?"

"Not... exactly."

Rad just stares now.

"'Not exactly'?"

No point in hiding it now... "They were already married. They have been for hours now, they were just waiting for a good time to tell everyone."

Neatly summarised, "And you knew, but didn't say, and Dot is unhappy because of it."

He's not sure he understands why, other than it means there won't be a wedding in Mainframe to get excited over.

"Exactly."

Bob isn't entirely sure why Dot's mad either, come to think of it.

Other than having any plans dashed, it's hard to think of any reason at all.

Most people would be relieved. Unless they're parents, and then they get mad for parental reasons.

"So now you're here. Tired. Because it's hard to sleep on the furniture."

Life is so complicated. Sparkbonding is so much simpler, and it's hassle-free.

Bob shrugs. "I've slept in worse places, but..."

Not quite following Bob, he says, "Milliways will provide you with something decidedly more comfortable while you're here. It won't be so bad."

Bob gives Rad a funny look. "I'm not gonna run away to Milliways just because we had a little fight. That'll just make things worse."

"Oh. I guess it would."

He shrugs. Again, these things are so complicated.

"I don't really know about these kinds of things."

Another sigh. "Neither do I. I've only been married for two months now, remember?"

Actually he was thinking about the idea of marriage, but...

"Eh. Well. Now that everyone knows they're married things will return to normal, right?"

Bob nods. "They should. For a given definition of 'normal,' anyway."

If only he had a brow to quirk.

"Never a dull moment in Mainframe, huh?"

That elicits a chuckle. "Pretty much."

Here's one-half of the inadvertant cause to Bob's troubles seating herself in the seat across from him. She slides something alcoholic across the table at him.

"How're you doing, Bob? Have Dot's teeth stopped grinding yet?"

"I wouldn't know. I've barely been in the same room with her since you and Matrix got back."

She frowns.

"I'm sorry you've had to bear the brunt of Dot's wrath. Anything I can do to make it up to you?"

"I dunno, maybe tell me right if you have any other blasts from the past that I need to keep quiet about?"

Deadpan.

"Actually, I'm pregnant. Somehow Glitch hasn't picked it up, and I'm waiting for the right moment to tell everyone."

Bob rolls his eyes. "I'm serious, AndrAIa. Glitch has the memory of ten hours of your and Matrix's lives together, and now so do I. If there's anything you want kept under wraps, I'd like to know now."

"Sorry to disapoint you then, Bob. The secret marrage is pretty much it when it comes to deep-dark-secrets. Other than that, I think I can trust your judgement as to what's 'private'."

Disappoint? On the contrary, Bob's expression is one of profound relief. "Thanks. That's good to know."

She smiles.

"Glad I could put your mind as ease."

Bob nods and takes a pull at the drink the Game-sprite brought for him. "Just try to get your husband to be a little more discreet, please?"

The Game sprite mirrors his actions with her own drink.

"I'll try, but Matrix isn't exactly the discreet type."

"I've noticed. So are you guys going to have some kind of ceremony when you get your link commands? You'll break your sister-in-law's heart if you don't."

"I don't think we planned on it, but if Dot agrees to keep it small and simple, I might be able to talk Matrix into it."

"You'll have to ask her about that one. I'm not in any position to be asking favors of Dot right now."

A sudden look born of inspiration flashes across the Game sprite's face and she reaches for her belt.

"I have something that may help your situation somewhat."

Bob perks up. "Like what?"

She removes a small stack of JPEGs from her belt and after sifting through them, she selects a pair and offers them to the Guardian.

"Wedding pictures, use them as a peace offering; she'll probably like to see them, though it might just make her angrier."

Beat.

"Be careful with them though, please? They're all Matrix and I have."

The pictures are nothing spectacular--just the two of them standing together in a shabby Principal Office. They're not even dressed up, although AndrAIa does have a bouquet of daisywheels.

Bob, however, is beaming.

"AndrAIa, this is wonderful. Thank you."

The Game sprite beams right back at the Guardian.

"You're welcome, Bob, I just hope they help."

Edited 2008-07-28 18:13 (UTC)

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