A/N: well, here's the epilogue. At first it wasn't even supposed to exist, then it became so insanely long that I would have had to split it in two if it got barely a little longer. This fic just refused to let me end already XD

"We'll bring him back here in a few minutes so you can feed him. Now you better get some rest, it's been…"

Dr. Director faintly heard the nurse saying something, but she was simply too tired to even try understanding exactly what she was trying to tell her. Besides, she had spent the past eight months or so talking to some many doctors, nurses and specialists, so she supposed she could at least take a break now.

It hadn't been a problematic pregnancy, far from it: there had been no complications, and thus none of the doctors she had spoken with could fathom the reason of her almost compulsive worrying about the child's health and her insistence to take whatever test had ever been thought up to make sure it would be healthy. One of them had actually asked her if there was any reason why she was that worried, but Dr. Director had only given him a vague answer since she suspected that anything along the lines of 'because I know that children born from inbreeding can be seriously messed up' wasn't the kind of reply she wanted to give to anyone. And even after all tests had confirmed her that the child she was expecting was healthy, she had insisted to take them again – the look the doctor had given her had been almost as baffled as the looks she had gotten from pretty much every GJ agent once they had known she was going on maternity leave.

When the second round of tests had confirmed the child was fine – and a boy, she had also been informed – she had finally stopped worrying about that. Well, almost: she had been completely reassured only little more than a hour earlier, when she had actually seen Nicholas – a perfectly normal-looking, wailing child with rather powerful lungs – squirming in the nurse's arms while said nurse clamped his umbilical cord assured her over and over that yes, the baby was really perfectly fine.

A small smile curled Dr. Director's lips as she remembered how exasperated the nurse seemed by the fifth time she asked…then again she needed to be sure, she thought before yawning and shifting just a little to find a more comfortable position. While giving birth hadn't hurt – whoever came up with epidural anesthesia deserved a Nobel prize – Dr. Director couldn't deny that the labor had been tiring: after going through that, she felt like she could go through the hardest training course they had in the GJ headquarters thrice in a row without breaking a sweat.

And the worse is yet to come. I get the distinct feeling that dealing with terrorists, criminal organizations and plots to take over the world is going to seem a walk in the park compared to having to look after a kid. You're just not wired for this kind of things, and I strongly doubt you're ever going to make much of a mother. Why did you even decide to keep him?

Dr. Director scowled, trying to chase away that last thought. She had actually asked herself that same question many times, mainly in the late stages of the pregnancy, and she could only come up with one answer: she just hadn't thought about the possibility she could simply abort and keep going on with her life, or at least try to. Since the moment she had realized she had to be expecting – well, maybe a few moments after that if she considered the minutes she had spent staring at the result of the test with her mind clouded by utter panic and horror – there had been one thought in her mind: making sure the child would be fine. What had brought to that conception had been their mistake, hers and her brother's, and the thought that mistake could result with the birth of someone whose life would be pure hell was unbearable.

Had she been told the child would have serious issues…well, in that case she probably wouldn't have kept him, she admitted to herself. And after knowing that the child was healthy and developing well the thought of aborting hadn't really crossed her mind, and she supposed the fact that once she was done with the second round of tests she was past the time frame in which abortion would be allowed had had a hand in that.

He's fine, and that's what matters for now. As for the rest…I'll manage. I still have a few months of maternity leave, and after that I could hire a baby sitter, or find a good day care facility. And I could bring the paperwork home so I can file it there; if I keep myself reachable twenty four-seven in any case, I could spend a lot more time home. I could make it work. I can make it work.

And what about Sheldon? He's not stupid, I bet it didn't take him much to put two and two together. He will soon claim he has rights over Nicholas – do you have any idea of how much he could he could damage him?

This time Dr. Director actually snarled. "He'd just have to try," she said to the empty room. Still, she couldn't deny that the thought worried her; the look on his face when she had gathered enough courage to tell him and their mother about the pregnancy during some family dinner – mostly to their mother since she had barely looked at him while she spoke – had been enough for her to know he at least suspected…

"Betty?"

Dr. Director recoiled and turned to the door, then she relaxed and leant her head back on the pillow with a weak, somewhat forced smile. "Hi, mom."

Theresa chuckled at her tired expression. "Was it that bad? I thought the epidural is supposed to work wonders," she said, walking closer and sitting next to the bed.

"It does – it didn't hurt. But it was still tiring," Dr. Director made a face "I'm not sure I want to know what it will be like once the effect of anesthesia wears off.

"Oh, don't complain too much – I didn't even have that, but I survived," her mother said with a chuckle, though for a moment she almost frowned at the memory. Giving birth to her and Sheldon had been a long and painful business, and she would never forget the terror that had gripped her throat when one of the nurses had muttered that the firstborn wasn't breathing and had quickly brought him out of the room, leaving her to wonder if her child would make it while struggling to deliver the other child – Betty. She shook her head slightly to chase away the thought and gazed at her daughter again. "I called Sheldon, by the way. He said he'd try to get her as soon as he could."

Dr. Director's stomach clenched at the thought, but she managed to hide it and just nodded. "He doesn't have to," she said, but she already knew he would. Now that Nicholas was born, he would only have to count nine months backwards to have the certainty that--

"But of course he has to – he just became a uncle," Theresa laughed at the thought, and Dr. Director bit her lower lip "but heaven knows how I'd rather not think that this makes me a grandmother."

Her daughter smiled a little. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but apparently it does."

"Oh, well, I guess I'll learn to live with it," her mother winked before turning to look at the clock "what time did they say they'd bring him here for feeding?" she asked, and Dr. Director could clearly see she was looking forward to see her grandchild.

She wouldn't be so eager and happy if she only knew.

Dr. Director did her best to ignore that thought and shrugged. "I'm not sure – pretty soon, I guess. Just enough time to clean him up," she said, and she couldn't ignore a stab of nervousness in her stomach at the thought she was actually going to have to hold and feed a newborn. She had tried to inform herself as much as possible of the subject, of course, but knowing the theory and actually doing something were two completely different things.

"I hope they won't take too long, the first few hours are very important," her mother said, her experience as a nurse and a mother clearly kicking in.

"He was born not even an hour and a half ago, mom. Give them a minute."

Theresa sighed. "And to think I couldn't stand apprehensive grandparents when I worked in the hospital," she joked before turning serious "Betty, are you sure that leaving his father out of his life is the best choice?"

Dr. Director bit her lower lip – that was just about the last question she had wanted to hear, let alone from her mother. "Yes," she said quietly "I was serious when I said he's not the kind of person that should be let take care of a child. And he doesn't want to, so he was happy to just disappear when I told him to," she added. She had been telling that same lie to everyone since the beginning…but at least when she said he wasn't the kind of person who should be allowed to take care of a child, she was telling the truth. She forced herself to ignore the sudden coldness in her stomach at the thought of what could happen should anyone ever know the truth.

Her mother simply nodded. "Alright – if you say it's for the best, I believe you," she told her, then she smiled a little "I don't remember if I ever told you, but after Gerald…your father died, I was sent some of his personal effects. He had a picture of you and Sheldon in his wallet."

"He did?" Dr. Director seemed surprised and somewhat saddened for a few moments, then she sighed. Maybe had been for the better that she hadn't told them back then. The less they thought of the man who had just died as their father, the better it was. She was about to say something, but she trailed off as the door opened and a loud wailing greeted her ears.

Both her and Theresa turned to see a nurse walking in with a freshly cleaned newborn in her arms. He clearly hadn't appreciated being taken away from his mother, and thus he was using his brand new lungs to make sure absolutely everyone in a mile would know just how displeased he was. As she sat up on the bed Dr. Director faintly hoped it wouldn't become a habit, or else she could wave her sleep pattern goodbye.

"Here you go, Nicky," the nurse cooed at the infant before she put him in Dr. Director's arms "here, hold his head up…do you need any help?"

"I know how it works. I'll call for you if I don't manage," Dr. Director said a little mechanically, and the nurse left. She seemed somewhat uncertain – an unusual thing of her, Theresa mused – but her gestures were surprisingly accurate and confident as she cradled the baby in the right position, and to her credit only moments later Nicholas had stopped crying and was enjoying his first meal.

Dr. Director tried to ignore the odd sensation spreading in her chest any time she glanced down at the baby. Until that moment she hadn't actually allowed herself to think of the child as, well, a child. She had viewed the pregnancy as nothing different from an unforeseeable accident that had to be dealt with, focusing her attention on playing her part the best she could as if she were dealing with some mission…but now she knew that the hardest part had just started. It wouldn't be like accomplishing a mission, and there was no way she could simply focus on the task while keeping herself emotionally detached and objective – it would be so different and so much more difficult than that, with no protocols to follow and no black and white scenarios.

And the thought scared her, she thought, absentmindedly reaching to touch the baby's hand with, and she bit her lower lip before she allowed herself to smile a little as his tiny hand wrapped around her finger.

You can't allow yourself to be scared, not now. You decided to keep this child, and now it's your full responsibility taking care of him. You can take a fair share of responsibility towards the world's safety; what's raising a child in comparison?

"Not bad. Have you been making practice with other people's babies?" Theresa joked with a chuckle, snapping her daughter from her thoughts, then she took a closer look at the baby "well, good for you there is that kind of anaesthesia these days, or else this big guy would have been a pain to deliver," she smiled and reached to gently stroke the baby's back with her thumb. Nicholas didn't seem to notice, all his attention focused on his meal.

"Says the one who had to deliver twins," Dr. Director pointed out.

"Oh, but you and Sheldon were so tiny," Theresa replied with a shrug "twins tend to be smaller than average as newborns, and you were no exception. This little giant must be close to ten pounds."

Dr. Director raised an eyebrow. "Isn't 'little giant' kind of an oxymoron?"

"My, Betty, who killed your sense of humor?" her mother rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as she let a finger gently brush over the smooth brown hair on the baby's head "good luck dealing with her, big guy."

"Aren't you supposed to be wishing me good luck?"

"Nope. And if he turns out to be even half as troublesome as you and your brother were, I'll call it poetic justice. By the way, maybe I should call Sheldon to tell him he better move if he wants to be here before--"

"No!"

Theresa blinked, and Dr. Director realized she had spoken a little too forcefully – even Nicholas had stopped suckling for a few moments, a little startled, then he decided nothing important was going on and resumed his snack. "I mean…there's no need to. He's probably busy anyway," she said, trying to keep her voice as calm as she could "I don't want to disturb--"

"Now, what kind of uncle would I be if I couldn't find the time to visit my nephew, Betty?"

For an instant Dr. Director could have sworn her blood had turned into ice in her veins. Her grip around the baby tightened slightly as she turned to face her brother. He was standing on the doorway, his gaze shifting from her to Nicholas and then back to her, his expression unreadable. "Sheldon," she greeted him quietly.

"Here you are!" Theresa greeted her son, clearly oblivious of the tension between him and his sister – she always was, and sometimes Dr. Director wondered if she really couldn't tell there was any kind of tension or if she unconsciously ignored it. Maybe they were just good at hiding it. "It didn't take you much."

"I wasn't really far from here," he said vaguely, and Dr. Director knew with horrible certainty that it hadn't been a coincidence – he had been observing them, and waiting.

"Really?" she asked, her voice as cold as it could be without making Theresa suspect anything was wrong.

"Really," Gemini said almost forcefully before he took a few steps forward and looked down at the child. He smiled – no, Dr. Director thought, he grinned – down at him before he spoke again. "So this little one is my nephew, uh?" he muttered, a slightly scowl on his face as he uttered the word 'nephew'.

Still completely oblivious of what was going on, Theresa patted his back. "Yes, unless they switched him in the nursery, it's him. I was starting to think neither of you would ever give me any grandchild," she joked, and Dr. Director could have sworn she had seen a bitter expression crossing her brother's features before he nodded, his gaze resting on the newborn for another instant before he turned away so that their mother wouldn't see the scowl on his face.

"Well, congrats," he heard himself muttering avoiding to look at his sister.

"Thank you," she said mechanically – not because she really meant it, but because she didn't want their mother to realize something was off. She was about to say something about how she suddenly felt tired and should probably be left alone with Nick, but before she could Gemini had turned to their mother.

"Mom, do you have some water? I kinda had to rush, and I'm thirsty," he said.

Their mother shook her head. "No, but I saw a vending machine downstairs. I'll go get something to drink – no, no, I have coins already, don't worry," she said as she noticed he had reached for his wallet.

Dr. Director gritted her teeth as she realized that Gemini was just using and excuse to be alone with her and Nicholas. "There's no need to – I could call a nurse to get some water," she said quickly, but Theresa dismissively waved her hand.

"Oh, no need to bother them with stuff like this. It will take me a minute anyway, there's the elevator – you just stay to know your nephew a little better," she added, giving her son a pat on the back.

Gemini gave her an odd smile. "Sure."

For a moment Dr. Director was about to call out for her again, then she decided against it. She knew her brother wouldn't give up until they had discussed that issue, so she probably better get it done as soon as possible. She just sat there with Nicholas still cradled in her arms as their mother left, closing the door behind her. There were a few moments of silence as she kept staring at the door, ignoring her brother's presence…but she knew he wouldn't let her ignore him for long.

"So, baby sister," Gemini finally sneered as he leant his back against the wall, his arms folded "do you know how long it's been since last time we've been…alone in the same room?" he asked, and it certainly didn't take a genius to know what exactly he was referring to.

Dr. Director snorted and glared back at him, pretending she hadn't drawn any connection. "Not long enough," she stated icily.

Gemini's eye narrowed. "It's been about nine months, give or take a few days. It's been enough, if you ask to me. Enough to make me wonder," his gaze finally fell on the child, who was still suckling at his mother's breast, clearly determinated to make up for the lost time and fill his tummy "who's his father, Betty?"

"Why should it matter to you?" Dr. Director asked coldly.

"It does," Gemini snarled. He didn't know which answer he feared the most – that the child was really his, or that his sister had been with another man just around the time he had slept with her. Not that it truly mattered still… "Why did you refuse to tell anyone who it is?"

"It's none of your business," his sister retorted, her eye narrowing as well, and Gemini finally snapped.

"Don't play dumb!" he roared, startling Nicholas before he forced himself to lower his voice "I have every right to know…!" he began, but he trailed off as his sister scoffed.

"No, you don't. You have no right as far as he's concerned. You better keep yourself as far as you can from my son, Gemini," she hissed, her grip on Nicholas tightening so much that the baby squirmed uncomfortably and seemed about to wail for a few moments before she loosened her grip it again and he calmed down enough to resume suckling, completely oblivious of everything that was going on around him.

Gemini was shaking with barely suppressed anger, but he didn't dare to raise his voice and startle the child again. "You must tell me the truth, Betty!" he growled.

Dr. Director stared back at him, apparently unimpressed. "I have nothing to tell you, Gemini. Nothing but this: stay away from him. From us," she said, her voice deadly quiet. She knew it wouldn't be above Gemini targeting whoever mattered to her, and she wanted to make her point perfectly clear – she would go to any lengths to make sure Nicholas would be safe. "Should you ever mess with him, should you ever try to use him against me, you'll regret being even born. I'll turn your life into a such hell that you'll beg to be brought to prison and away from me."

He seemed startled for a moment by the venom in her voice, then he scoffed. "Is that a threat?" he asked.

"No. It's a warning," she said slowly "be wise for once in your life and leave him alone."

Her brother's face was growing crimson with anger, but before he could retort the door opened again and their mother stepped back in, causing Dr. Director to give a silent sigh of relief and forcing Gemini to swallow whatever he had been about to say. "Here's your water, I just found…Sheldon, are you alright?" Theresa asked, a little surprised to see how reddened his face was.

Gemini quickly nodded. "I'm fine, I'm just…it's hot in here," he lied quickly, reaching out to take the water bottle "thanks."

"You're welcome," his mother said, a little surprised by how he began drinking as if he had been hiking through a desert "have you checked your blood pressure lately?"

"Mom, I told you I'm fi--" Gemini began to protest, but his mother snorted.

"Oh, don't give me that – I bet you haven't checked your pressure in years," she scolded him "you know you should be careful…!"

He sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll get a check up soon," he reassured her. He shot another gaze at Dr. Director and Nicholas – who had just stopped suckling and was now shifting a little to find a comfortable position to get a little nap in his mother's arms – before he tore his gaze away from them. "I should get going," he finally said "I have…a reunion I should attend to in half an hour."

Dr. Director almost snorted at the obvious lie, but she held back just in time as their mother spoke again. "I wouldn't have told you to get here now if I knew you were this busy," she said.

Gemini shook his head. "No, it's alright. I had some time and I was anxious to get to meet my nephew," he muttered the last word as if it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Theresa didn't notice, but it was enough to make Dr. Director tense slightly as he spoke again. "I'll drop by some other time," he told her, his only eye fixed on Nicholas.

"Sure," she replied, her voice perfectly calm, but her gaze was enough to tell him he had better not do anything rash.

I won't let you do anything that might hurt him, she thought, and she didn't really need to see the grimace of her brother's face to know he had gotten the message perfectly. He knew he would have to get over her dead body to get Nick…but she hoped he wouldn't dare, for there was a part of her – a small part of her that apparently hadn't forgotten the years when she and her brother had genuinely cared for each other – that simply refused to think that Sheldon would sink that low.

And, for one time's sake, it turned out to be right.

Seven years later.

Despite her not exactly bright mood, Dr. Director couldn't help but feel somewhat amused by the thought she was probably the only person in the world who was currently glaring at her arch-nemesis over a roast stuffed turkey…especially since her arch-nemesis seemed to be far too busy eating to even bother to glare back at her.

She glanced back to her own dish, taking a few bites despite the fact she wasn't really hungry. Her mother would probably smack her in the head if she didn't at least eat the first serving of her stuffed turkey – she had insisted to cook herself for all of them, and now she expected them to eat. Dr. Director wondered faintly how many people would still be that eager to do so while in their late eighties already.

"Mom? Hey, mom?"

Dr. Director blinked as she realized someone had been waving a hand in front of her face to get back her attention. She glanced up to see Nicholas hopefully glancing at her, grinning a little sheepishly. "More potatoes?" he said hopefully.

"More potatoes, please," she corrected him a little absentmindedly, pushing the dish with the potatoes closer to him. Before the kid could take it, however, Gemini snatched under his nose.

"Thanks, baby sister – I was just about to ask," he grinned.

"Hey, I asked first!" Nicholas protested, reaching up for the dish, but Gemini easily held it above his reach.

"But I got it first!"

"Mooom!"

Dr. Director sighed, trying to hold back the grimace that threatened to show on her face any time she saw her brother anywhere near her son. "Are you reduced to pick fights with children now, Sheldon?" she said coldly, almost wishing he had brought that stupid dog of his with him instead of leaving it in the hands of some of his agents because 'the poor little thing' was apparently too old now to stand the stress of meeting her. Had he brought it with him, he would at least focus his attention on it.

"Yeah, heard that? Not fair, uncle!" the kid protested, but he seemed somewhat amused "not fair…!"

"I don't play fair, kid," Gemini said with a shrug, but he eventually gave him back the dish and ruffled his already unruly brown hair before turning to his sister. "See? I was just joking with him, Betty. Is the fact I'm joking with my nephew something to get your feathers ruffled over?" he asked, his voice dripping with a sarcasm that Nicholas didn't even notice.

Dr. Director's only eye narrowed. "I guess not," she said, fully knowing their mother could still hear them from the kitchen, where she was fetching the dessert…but her gaze was more than enough to let her brother know what she was thinking.

Stay away from him, Gemini. Don't even try to mess with him. I won't let you.

"Hey, uncle Sheldon?" Nicholas called, his mouth still stuffed.

Gemini turned to him, leaning back on his seat. "What?" he asked, trying to not scowl upon being called 'uncle'. He had never imagined he could end up despising so much a harmless word such as that one.

"No speaking when your mouth's full, Nick," Dr. Director said a little more sternly than she meant to, her only eye still fixed on her brother.

"Ops," the kid immediately swallowed the bite before speaking again "tell me again how you got that hand," he said eagerly, looking at Gemini's mechanical hand. It had always fascinated him, and one of the highlights of the day had been watching him shooting those missiles from his fingertips.

"Again? You heard that one at least a dozen times," Gemini nearly groaned, and Dr. Director couldn't hold back a small smirk.

And you have no idea of how many times he asked how I lost my eye. And God, wasn't I tempted to tell him the truth so he could know what kind of person you are! The only reason I didn't is because you're the closest thing to a father figure he has, whether I want it or not…and because I don't want him to find out just what kind of person I am. There are a lot of things I don't want him to find out.

Unaware of his mother's thoughts, Nicholas nodded. "Yes, again!"

Gemini sighed, glancing down at his mechanical hand. "Well, it's not a very long story – and you better keep eating while I tell you, or else your mother might decide to smite me," he added, glaring at her. Dr. Director simply glared back, saying nothing, and he finally turned back to the child. "Do I at least get to skip the 'how I lost the hand' part?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Are you kidding? That's the best part!"

"I bed to differ," Gemini grumbled, scowling at the memory.

"Aw, c'mon!"

Gemini sighed, muttering something about kids these days having issues before he started to tell the whole story starting from that summer afternoon nearly thirty years before.

"That story again?" Theresa guessed, putting the pie on the table and sitting next to her daughter.

Dr. Director nodded. "Yes, that story again. He's managing to make it sound a lot better."

"He surely cannot make it sound any worse than it really was," her mother said, frowning slightly at the memory before she finally shrugged. "You two better resume your storytelling later if you want to get some pie," she said, and predictably enough Nicholas seemed to decide he could wait a little more for the rest of the story after all.

"Here you go," Dr. Director said with a small smile, handing the dessert to her son, and she raised an eyebrow as he began eating "you could at least try to chew when you eat."

Gemini snorted. "Don't bother him, Betty," he said, taking his own slice "you're even more of a pain in the neck than I remembered."

His sister gritted her teeth. "For the last time, Sheldon, you don't get to question me about--"

"Quit bickering now, you two, or Nick is getting to hear the most embarrassing details I can think of from your childhood," their mother threatened, winking at her grandson and causing them both her children to shut up and Nicholas to snicker – watching his mother and uncle fighting was always fun, but his grandmother telling them off was even better.

"She started it," Gemini muttered somewhat sulkily, but he began eating the dessert without any further comment, and so did Dr. Director. There were a few moments of silence, but it didn't last much.

Splat.

"What the…?" Dr. Director growled, reaching to wipe away the cream from her forehead and glaring at her brother – who, on the other hand, just pointed at Nicholas, who was still eating his slice of cake.

"He did it."

"Uh?" Nicholas blinked, then he seemed to nearly panic as he realized his uncle was blaming him for…well, something he had done, which probably wasn't anything good. He glanced up to see his mother's forehead smeared with cream. "Wha…? No, wait, it's not true!" he protested, turning to glare at the man he thought of as just his uncle "you did!"

Gemini grinned down at him. "Prove it, shorty."

"I know it wasn't you, Nick," Dr. Director reassured him, glaring at her brother "you're not that childish."

"Ouch, that hurt," was Gemini's sarcastic reply.

"Now, now," Theresa said with a smirk that made Gemini pale as he realized she was going to carry on her threat of letting Nicholas know some embarrassing stuff from his childhood "this is not a nice way to behave…is it, Shelly?"

Nicholas – who had just taken another mouthful of pie – immediately began to cough and choke, trying to swallow, breathe and laugh at the same time. "S…Shelly?" he repeated, still laughing, once he finally managed to swallow the bite that had nearly chocked him "she just called you Shelly?"

Gemini gritted his teeth, trying to not look at the laughing child and his snickering sister. "Mom!" he protested, his cheeks turning nearly crimson in embarrassment.

"Oh, don't start – you were warned," Theresa said with a shrug, resuming eating. Gemini grimaced as he tried to do the same, avoiding to look at his sister.

"You can stop laughing anytime this decade," he finally said a little sulkily as Nicholas kept laughing by his side. He was about to add he better stop now if he didn't want to be obliterated, but he decided against it – it certainly wouldn't be a wise move with his sister and mother sitting right there.

"I mean, Shelly? That's a girl name!"

"Yeah, I know," Gemini glared at his mother, who on the other hand was still smirking "thanks, mom."

"Anytime," Theresa said, her smirk widening "it's not my fault if you were so adorable as a baby – 'Sheldon' didn't really fit. If it can be of any comfort, your father wanted to call you Denzel."

"Too bad he didn't," Dr. Director said, sounding genuinely sorry "it would have been fun."

Gemini shuddered a little at the thought. "I would have legally changed my name the moment I turned eighteen, thank you so much," he said, trying to ignore how Nicholas was still snickering. "Well, that's it," he finally grumbled, looking down at him "you're not getting to hear the rest of the story."

The kid immediately stopped laughing and made a face. "Aw, c'mon!"

"Nope."

"I was just kidding!"

"I wasn't."

"Mom, say something!" Nicholas whined, the way all kids start whining when they're denied something.

Dr. Director sighed, glancing both at her brother and son. She didn't like it how fond Nick had gotten on him throughout the years, she didn't like it at all…but there was nothing she could do about that. Not as long as her mother was alive. "Leave him alone, Nick," she finally said "I'll tell you what happened. My version, of course," she added a little snidely.

"Your…?" Gemini blinked, then he frowned as he realized she would tell Nicholas everything he would have rather left out – like how he had actually cried at some point.

Hell, no.

"Fine, fine, I'll tell you," he nearly snarled, glaring death at his sister before turning his attention back to the eager child "so, where was I…?"

Dr. Director couldn't help but feel a little relieved as she saw Nicholas was in the living room with his grandmother, playing with some videogame and chewing cookies – she felt relieved whenever he wasn't around her brother.

Her only eye narrowed at the thought. If having to meet him whenever their mother invited them both to spend the day at her place had been unnerving, it was had gotten even worse since when Nicholas was born. She couldn't fight back a terrible sense of dread whenever she saw Gemini anywhere near her son, the same dread one would feel watching a wolf getting too close to a lamb – and the worst part was that he would constantly try to stay in contact with Nicholas.

They only met personally during those family gatherings – not that there were many people to gather since it was just them, really – but her brother had always tried to stay in touch with him more often, either through mail and phone calls, and what drove her insane was the fact there wasn't much she could do to prevent it other than telling him that Nicholas wasn't home when she was the one to answer the phone. Actually forbidding Nicholas to hear from his uncle would require giving him a valid explanation, and she couldn't bring herself to tell him just what kind of person her brother was – not to mention that she still didn't want their mother to find out the truth about her son.

Dr. Director bit her lower lip before glancing into the living room again. Once their mother was gone – the thought chilled her, but she knew it would have to happen sooner or later – there would be no reason for her to hold back. And then she would tell her son the truth…or, at least, that part of truth he could know. She would make sure he knew he had to stay away from Gemini; until that moment…well, she could only keep her eye wide open to make sure her brother never crossed the line. She wouldn't let him.

"You look troubled, baby sister."

She scowled, turning to face her brother. "And here I hoped you had left," she muttered "what do you want from him?"

Gemini blinked, and for a moment he actually seemed confused. "What?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Sheldon," she growled "I know you have something in mind. I don't know what, but I know it's nothing good. I want you to stay away from him."

He scoffed. "I don't get what you mean – is it that odd wanting to spend time with my nephew?" sarcasm dripped from his voice once more "in case you haven't noticed, he likes spending time with me. You can't keep him hidden from me, Betty. I have every right to--" he trailed off with a gasp as his sister stepped forward, her hand shooting up to grab his neck. When she spoke again, her voice was deadly quiet.

"No. No, you don't. You have no right over him."

"Says who?" he asked challengingly.

"I do. In case you didn't notice, I'm his mother."

"My, who would have guessed," he said sarcastically, still doing nothing to break free from her grasp "what I still wonder, however, is why you never told anyone who his father happens to be."

Dr. Director gritted his teeth, and he knew he had hit a raw nerve. "I'm not going to repeat myself over this again, Sheldon, so listen close – it's none of your goddamn business!"

"Oh, really? I think it is," he growled "it didn't take much to check his birth date, Betty, and I can still put two and two together!"

"For the last time, you idiot, he's not yours!" Dr. Director growled her usual lie even though they both knew the truth "even if he were – and I'm not saying he is – I still wouldn't want you to approach him. You'd be trouble for him."

"He doesn't seem to think so," Gemini pointed out, his features still twisted in a scowl.

"He's just a child and he doesn't know who you are. And he's better off not knowing – no now, not ever," her only eye narrowed "don't even try to mess with him, Sheldon."

Gemini snorted, his mechanical hand finally reaching to grab her arm to get her hand off his throat. "I don't want to mess with him," he said "it's the last thing I want. He won't know the truth, not because of me!"

Dr. Director almost laughed. "I don't believe you," she said "I don't believe one single word. You never hesitated to target anyone or anything if you knew it would affect me in the long run."

"It's not true," he protested "tell me one thing I ever did to mess with him!"

She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Honestly, she couldn't think of anything; sure, she remembered some stuff he had done to irk her when Nicholas was only a toddler – she knew for a fact he had taught him to say 'world domination' during on of their get-togethers and she was certain he had something to do with the fact one day the little boy had muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'GJ sucks', but other than that… "It's just because I'm careful whenever you were around," she finally retorted "and only because you didn't yet, it doesn't mean you wouldn't."

"But I wouldn't!" Gemini seemed oddly frustrated now "I won't! I never did anything against our mother, and I'll never do anything against him either. It's different than with anyone else, an you know it!"

His sister opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn't think of anything she could retort to that. She bit her lower lip and sighed. "You left me no choice," she said flatly.

"It's not true. You had choices since the first moment," Gemini glanced past her to make sure both Nicholas and Theresa were still in the living room before he went on "for all you knew, he could have all kinds of issues. You could have aborted him. You could have given him up for adoption. You could have, and I wouldn't have known – and if I did, I wouldn't have tried to stop you. You decided what to do, and I didn't get a say in it. But now, now you can't just tell me to pretend he doesn't exist," he paused and stared straight in her only eye. "Because I won't."

She swallowed. "I don't trust you enough to let him grow too fond on you," she heard herself saying, wishing that conversation wasn't even happening. He seemed honest, really, but she didn't want to admit it.

"What do you think I could do to him? I can only see him a few times in a year, or else send him a mail from time to time. Last time I got to hear from him before today was for his birthday – to him, I'm just his uncle. And you know what? It's fine with me, because I know it's better for everyone if things stay like this. You have my word that I'll never try to change it. But you can't just keep me out of his life. Not like this."

Dr. Director drew in a deep breath. "Fine. But I want your word that you'll never, ever try to use him – leave him out of everything that could be going on between us. You must promise that he will never know anything. No one must ever know anything," she said slowly. She rarely let herself think of what would happen should anyone find out what had happened between her and her brother. It would cost her everything – her career, her reputation, her freedom, and her son. Gemini, on the other hand, already was a criminal: he had nothing to lose in telling the truth, and that was scared her the most, that made her fear he could someday spill the beans only out of his hatred for her. She couldn't let it happen.

"He won't," Gemini said unusually quietly "no one will. I promise."

She stared at him for a few moments before she finally nodded. "Alright," she said, taking a step back "but if you don't keep your word I'll make sure you'll have to use a straw to eat for the rest of your life."

Her brother couldn't help but grin a little. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Dr. Director was about to add some other threat – better safe than sorry – but she trailed off as someone suddenly ran into the hallway and bumped against her.

"Ow!"

Gemini smirked, glancing down at Nicholas. "Well, I'm glad it will take years before you're old enough to get a driving licence. Warn me when you do, alright? I wouldn't want to be outside with you around."

"That's not funny," Nicholas mumbled as Dr. Director helped him on his feet again, and she noticed he was holding something under his arm – an old football ball.

"Isn't that yours?" she asked, and Gemini nodded.

"Yes, it was mine," he said, reaching to take it from his hands "where did you find it?"

"In your old room," Nicholas replied, not even noticing how his mother held him a little closer to her before finally letting him go "I didn't know you played football."

"You don't know a lot of stuff," Gemini said, briefly glancing at his sister, who just looked back at him with a slight frown "but yes, I was the quarterback in high school," he smirked at the memory "the best one that team had in ten years or so," he boasted a little.

"Cool!" the kid stared up at him as if he had just said he used to wear a cape and cowl and race across the city on the Batmobile "grandma said I could play with it if you didn't mind," he added somewhat hopefully, glancing up at him.

Gemini shrugged. "I don't," he said, making the ball spin on his finger and faintly wondering how many years had it been since last time he had held a ball. Way too many, he thought. He shook his head slightly before throwing it back at Nicholas, and he was amused to see how easily he caught it even though he staggered back a little at the impact. "You can keep it if you want to."

"Really? Thanks!"

Despite her worries, Dr. Director couldn't help but smile a little at his obvious enthusiasm – he looked like he had just gotten a million dollars check. She couldn't help but wonder how it could be possible for someone to be that carefree and innocent.

He's a child. You were like that too.

"Don't even think to play inside with that," she just said, reaching to ruffle his hair "you better get on the lawn to play. Possibly trying to not break any window."

"Sure," Nicholas made a face as his mother stated the obvious "I know, I'm not a baby."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I see – the seasoned man has spoken," she teased him a little, but Nicholas didn't seem to realize it was a taunt.

"Hey, uncle, can you come outside and show me how to play? Please?" he said, eagerly looking up at him – it was clear that the mere idea he used to be a quarterback had just turned him into some kind of hero in his eyes. If he only knew, Dr. Director thought a little bitterly.

Gemini seemed to hesitate just for an instant, then he glanced at his sister, who had just opened her mouth to say that he would get too tired and that they had a long way to get back home. Dr. Director was surprised to realize he was mutely asking her to not say no, and surprise caused her to freeze for a few moment – it was the closest thing to pleading she could remember her brother doing. Finally, she closed his mouth and nodded slightly, her mouth oddly dry.

Gemini immediately turned to Nicholas. "Sure," he said with a shrug "go ahead on the lawn, I'll get there in a minute," he paused as he watched him nodding and rushing outside, holding the ball close to his chest "he's a nice kid," he finally heard himself mutter.

Dr. Director gave a small, wry smile. "He is," she said somewhat absentmindedly before turning back to him "if he gets one single bruise while playing, I'm going to kick your ass to no end," she informed him.

Her brother snorted. "Do you think I'm really going to tackle him or what?" he protested.

"Considering your maturity ground, you might as well do so," she said, somewhat amused but his annoyance. She seemed about to add something else, then she just sighed. "Just don't make him tire too much, he has to do his homework tomorrow," she said quietly, knowing that would mean spending another afternoon with half of her brain turned to the paperwork she had to file for GJ – why couldn't they simply digitalize everything with all the technology they had at their disposal? – and the other half busy helping Nicholas with his homework. He was already starting to develop a strong disliking for math and she couldn't really blame him, she thought in mild amusement before she turned her back to Gemini. "Now let's get out, you have no idea of what a pain he can be if you make him wait."

Gemini stood still for a few moments, saying nothing, then he shook his head as if to chase away some thought and just followed her outside.

"I told you to not tire him too much," Dr. Director said somewhat accusingly as she picked up her son from the couch where he had fallen asleep right after getting back home from the lawn. Nicholas shifted a little, but he didn't wake up – he just rested his head on his mother's shoulder and kept sleeping soundly, Gemini's old football ball still tightly clutched to his chest.

"He insisted to keep playing because he was having fun," Gemini protested "blame him!"

"You're supposed to be the adult," his sister pointed out, adjusting her grip on Nicholas a little – when had he gotten that heavy? Good heaven, he was growing up so quick…or maybe she was getting old. Or both.

"Hey, it's not like I had him jumping from the roof, you know!"

"Enough you two," Theresa scolded them, keeping her voice low so she wouldn't wake up the sleeping child "you'll just wake him up this way."

Gemini snorted and folded his arms. "She started it," he muttered childishly.

His mother sighed. "Aren't you a little too old to say that?" she asked in mild amusement before turning to Dr. Director "and Betty, it's not like anything happened. Nick had some fun and got tired, that's all. He'll be as good as new after a good night of sleep," she said fondly, reaching to ruffle Nicholas' hair.

"You wouldn't say that if you knew what kind of zombie he is early in the morning," Dr. Director's lips curled in a slight smile "anyway, I guess we better get going."

"Me too," Gemini immediately said. Dr. Director felt an unpleasant sensation in the pit of her stomach, but she ignored it – what else could she do? – as they said goodbye to their mother, promised at least seven times that they'd call soon, they'd let her know should either of them meet 'anyone interesting' and that they'd drop by again before the usual two or three weeks and finally left.

She wasn't really surprised as Gemini began walking alongside with them – she wasn't surprised at all – but she didn't feel quite as nervous as she usually would: she didn't think he would dare to do anything. She just kept walking with Nicholas in her arms, faintly wondering just how much weight had he gained that week since he seemed to be growing up dreadfully quickly and waiting for her brother to speak first.

After what felt like an eternity but was just a minute or so, she heard him clearing his throat. "Do you…need help to carry him?" he finally asked somewhat awkwardly.

It wasn't a question, Dr. Director was surprised to realize – it was a request. Only hours before she would have scowled at the mere thought of letting Gemini get too close to her son, let alone carry him as he slept. Now, after their last conversation, it only made her feel slightly uneasy; no matter how much animosity there could be between them, she still could tell when he was lying or not, and all her senses told her he had been honest when he had told her he wouldn't do anything that could do any harm to Nick. Then again…well…

Dr. Director hesitated for another moment before she stopped walking and turned to him. "Don't wake him up," was all she said, staring straight at his face, and she couldn't help but feel mildly amused by the look of surprise that briefly showed on his features as he took Nicholas from her arms. The boy shifted slightly in his sleep, but he didn't wake up. "I think that ball is about to become one of his most prized possessions," she said quietly as they resumed walking, glancing at the football ball Nicholas was still holding.

Gemini chuckled. "And he better take good care of it, I played some of my best matches with that," he said, then he frowned a little. "Remember dad's lucky coin?" he asked after a few moments of silence.

"Yes. The one you gave to that boy at his funeral."

"I regretted giving it away," he said quietly, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Dr. Director sighed. She remembered all too well how hurt, angry and guilty her brother had felt that day, and she certainly hadn't forgotten the fight they had after the funeral. For a moment she was reminded of what their mother had told her the day Nicholas was born – that Gerald had kept a picture of them in his wallet – and she wondered if Gemini knew that, then she decided to just let it go; it would make him no good telling him now after all. "It was just a coin with a hole in the middle – you don't need that to remember him by," she finally said, then she smiled a little "remember when he brought us to those baseball matches?"

"Yeah. And he would take us on his shoulders…"

"…one shoulder each," her smile widened a little "and he would complain because we were getting heavy."

Gemini adjusted his grip on Nicholas a little "Well, can't blame him now," he muttered, making a face "when did he get this big?"

"Good question, I was just wondering. He seems to be growing overnight," she shrugged "here's the car."

"Ah," Gemini just stood there as she opened the car, and she noticed he had hesitated briefly before handing Nicholas back to her so she could lean him on the backseat. The boy muttered something that sounded much like 'but girls have cooties!' in his sleep, but he still didn't wake up. Dr. Director chuckled and reached to brush away some hair from his forehead before she stepped back and closed the car's door.

"Betty?"

"Yes?" she turned to her brother, and despite the fact he hadn't done anything rash she still felt better now that Nicholas was in the car and she had both hands free to fight if she had to…still, for the first time since when she couldn't remember she didn't really feel threatened by his presence.

Dr. Director glanced at him a little more carefully. Maybe it was because of the sharp light cast on his face by the streetlight, but for the first time she noticed the small signs of aging on his face and the spray of grey that was starting to show in his hair. He was getting old, she realized…and so was she. In little less than thee years they would both be fifty – how old were they when they had fallen apart?

You weren't even twenty years old. It's been nearly thirty years, Betty. You've despised each other for almost thirty years because neither of you could face your fair share of responsibility.

She shook her head a little to chase away the thought. "What is it?" she asked again, realizing that her brother hadn't spoken yet.

Gemini seemed to hesitate only for a moment before he replied, glancing at the car. "Next time I phone you…will you let me speak with him?"

Dr. Director bit her lower lip. "Sheldon, it's not that easy. He--"

"You said you wouldn't…!" Gemini protested, and she could hear something oddly close to fear in his voice before he cut off and lowered his voice with clear effort "you can't just keep me out of his life!"

No, she realized, she couldn't – she never could, not really. Dr. Director sighed. "Can you give me your word?" she asked quietly. There was no need to add anything else: they both knew exactly what she meant.

"I already did," was her brother's reply "I promised, Betty, and I'll keep that promise. I always keep my promises. Do I have to swear over Pepe's head or what? Fine, I swear over his head that I won't do anything to harm Nick in any way. Happy now? What else do I have to say? I just want--" he paused and drew in a deep breath before he spoke again "…I just want to stay in touch with my nephew," he said, and Dr. Director was surprised to realize that there was no hint of sarcasm in his voice, that he hadn't spat out the word 'nephew' as if it were poison this time. She stared at him for a few moments, speechless.

"Betty?" Gemini called out again, clearly unsettled by her sudden silence.

Dr. Director recoiled. "Fine," she heard herself saying before she turned to look at the car "I won't stop you if you want to talk with him. As long as you don't cross the line."

"I won't."

"You better not," Dr. Director hesitated for a moment, all her senses screaming for her to end that conversation, get in the car and drive away, then she added: "Nick has a baseball match next Saturday. I tried to find some time, but I won't be able to be there. You could go to watch it – I bet he'd be happy if you did."

Gemini stared at her for a few moments, stunned. "I…what?" he asked, wondering if he was hallucinating – there was simply no way his sister could be telling him she would be fine with letting him get close to Nicholas without her watching.

Dr. Director smirked. "I didn't know you got hearing problems with age," she taunted him a little before shrugging "the match should be in the morning, I'll know exactly what hour on Wednesday at most. Unless you're planning to launch one of your evil schemes that morning…well, I guess it can't hurt if you spend some time with him."

He gaped at her for a few minutes, then he recollected. "Well, I was planning to launch a few nuclear weapons at Ohio, but I guess I could change the schedule…"

"You what?"

Gemini grinned a little at her expression. "Just kidding," he said, holding up his hands – he actually had no plans for Saturday aside from some business chat and maybe a bowling match with Jack Hench, and that would be in the evening in any case "got you scared, baby sister?"

"You almost managed to make me reconsider," Dr. Director said coldly, but she was definitely relieved and maybe – maybe – just a little amused to know it was just a joke. "I should be back by afternoon. Can you delay your nuclear holocaust until then, or do I have to call his baby sitter to make him some lunch and look after him until I thwart your scheme and get back?"

He smirked. "I guess I can delay."

"Good to know that. There is a fast food he likes just near the baseball camp, by the way. You could have lunch there, but don't let him eat too many fries – he ate so many that he got sick last time. He might have some homework to do, so I'll leave the spare key under the doormat so you can get home. Try to not get any kind of unwanted attention on yourself while you're with him."

"Of course I won't, I'm not stupid."

"Could have fooled me," she retorted a little childishly before turning serious again. "Just one thing, Sheldon – if you screw up this chance, you won't be getting another one. Is that clear?"

Gemini nodded. "I know," he said quietly "I'll…call you on Wednesday. To know what time the match is."

"Fine with me," she just said before she got into the car. She tried to close the door, but Gemini grabbed it before she could and kept it open.

"Betty?"

She scowled for a moment, slightly alarmed, then she made herself relax. "What?" she asked.

Her brother hesitated for a brief moment and glanced at Nicholas' sleeping form on the backseat before he turned back to her. "I think Dementor is on to something," he finally said "keep an eye on Munich."

"Oh," Dr. Director raised an eyebrow "and you're telling me because…?"

"Just because," was the somewhat defensive reply – the only reason why he had told her was that if she could stop that one scheme before it started she could get more time to spend with Nicholas, that was all. That, and the fact he wanted to get that midget back for insinuating he could be a spy for GJ during a villain convention he hadn't bothered to attend to; Hench was laughing when he had told him about that, but he hadn't found it amusing. Telling Betty about the scheme would be like killing two birds with one stone.

"Yeah, right. Don't tell me you're having a change of heart, I'm not buying it," she mocked him a little. She had accepted the fact Dr. Drakken and Shego had apparently switched sides – or at least given up on world domination – years before, after the Lowardians' attack, but she could not picture Gemini doing the same.

"You wish," Gemini retorted, then he shrugged and let go of the door "but you better follow your older brother's advice for once," he taunted back with a small smirk.

"Older my ass," Dr. Director muttered, causing her brother to childishly stick out his tongue at her, but she did take a mental note to get Team Possible on Dementor's trail the following morning – she was pretty certain Drakken would be glad to help as well in that one case, she thought in mild amusement as she closed the door, started the engine and gave Gemini a small nod before she drove off. She let out the breath she hadn't even realized she had been holding for a few moments and glanced in the rear-view mirror to see him waving his hand briefly before turning to walk in the opposite direction and to his own car.

Even if he were turned towards them it was too dark and she was quickly getting too far to see his face, so she just turned her attention back to the traffic…which was pretty much non-existent right now, thankfully. They would be home quickly, and maybe she would just carry Nicholas inside and let him sleep with his clothes on for a change: she didn't really feel like waking him up to have him wear his pajamas, and he had a tiring day, so he would probably keep sleeping--

"Mom?" Nicholas' sleepy voice came from the backseat.

…or not. She glanced in the mirror to see him groggily sitting up, his hair even messier than usual. "Yes?"

"I forgot to tell uncle Sheldon about the match," the boy muttered, finally letting go of the football ball to rub his eyes "why didn't you wake me up?"

"Don't worry, I told him about it."

Nicholas' grumpy expression immediately brightened. "And what did he say?" he asked eagerly.

Dr. Director hesitated only for a moment before replying. "He said he'll come to see it."

The boy suddenly looked everything like she had told him Christmas was coming early. "Really?"

"Really. He'll call on Wednesday, so you better ask your coach what time the match will be by then."

"Sure!" Nicholas exclaimed, all sleepiness gone "hey, mom, can I sit on the front seat?"

"Yes, but you have to buckle the security belt."

"Aw, but mom…!" he whined. Even though his mother always buckled it – and his mother was somewhere between Superman and Captain America in his coolness scale – he still thought safety belts were for sissies.

"That's not up for discussion, Nick."

Her son frowned for a moment, then he shrugged, clearly having decided that the fun of travelling on the front seat was well worth the humiliation of a security belt. "Okay."

As she stopped the car to let Nicholas get off the car and then on the front seat, Dr. Director wondered if it had indeed been a good idea giving Gemini that chance to approach him without her watching. Then again, did she honestly think he would sink low enough to do anything that could damage Nicholas only to hurt her? No, she didn't think he would, though she wasn't sure if it was because he actually cared for him or because there wasn't nearly as much hatred left between them as there had been for years now.

Maybe both, she mused as she thought back of the spray of grey she had seen in his hair, and she felt once again almost painfully surprised by the realization that it had really been that long since when they had made the mistake that would shape their lives – a mistake neither of them had been entirely to blame for. Thirty years, she thought. God, had it really been that long? Did they really still hold that much grudge to each other for something that had happened when they were barely more than teens, or had they just tried to somehow cling to a hatred that wasn't even in them anymore because it made it easier for them to cope…?

"Mom?" Nick's voice snapped her from her thoughts. She turned to see him smiling sheepishly, struggling with the safety belt. "…a little help?"

She chuckled. "You'll have to learn how to buckle the safety belt by yourself sooner or later," she said, reaching to buckle the belt and then ruffle his hair before she started the engine again.

"I try, but it's hard," he protested, clearly wondering how could she not realize how dreadfully difficult buckling a safety belt was to him, then he just shrugged and leant back on the seat, gazing out through the windshield – it was one of the reasons why he liked sitting on the front seat so much. "Is uncle Sheldon really coming to see the match?" he finally asked, still sounding enthusiastic at the idea.

"He said he would, and he keeps his promises," Dr. Director reassured him with a small smile before losing herself in her thoughts again. There was a part of her that still didn't feel comfortable at the thought of leaving her son with Gemini for so much time and without any kind of control from her, but she supposed that maybe it was time for her to give him at least one chance.

No matter what could be happening between them, maybe they could try to make it work. Maybe they could behave like adults and push their rivalry aside, at least as far as Nicholas was concerned. After almost thirty years, maybe they could just let go.

Maybe it had been long enough after all.

Well, this is the end. I can barely believe that this insanely long thing that took something like a year and a handful of months to get written started out because I made some AMV out of boredom and then a certain someone gave me an idea for this fic and then poked me into writing it. It was supposed to be not even a tenth as long as it got, but at some point it just got a life for itself. It's been fun to write, though, so I'm not complaining too much. Hope it was even half as fun to read.

So, thanks a lot to Neo the Saiyan angel, kriitikko, The Mad shoe1, Tomas Clair and bmwrider for reading/reviewing/faving this fic. And, of course, special thanks to VampireNaomi for all the support and for getting me into writing this in the first place: nothing of this would have been written if it wasn't for you. I would swear revenge, but since I already got it I'll just chuckle as you write tons of awesome stuff I know I'll love and sit back while waiting for your counter-revenge XD

Thanks again!