At 6:30 Steve and Jaime arrived. They had their arms full of presents for Joey and the twins.

“You guys spoil them too much.” Oscar complained.

“Well I would not have gotten anything for the twins since it’s Joey’s birthday.” Steve began “But in view of everything that’s happened in the past few days. I didn’t want to leave Marc out. How is he by the way?”

“He’s doing much better Steve.” Rudy said. “His breathing is completely back to normal.”

“Well that’s good.” Steve was relieved “You know, when I found him I really didn’t think he was going to make it.”

“When you handed him to me, I thought the same thing Steve.” Rudy agreed

“Well.” Oscar rubbed his hands together. “I’ll go get the birthday boy.” Oscar went to the bottom of the steps “Hey guys!” he called “Come on down.”

The three of them were in Joey’s room. “Come on Joey.” Marc coaxed. “Let’s go see what dad wants.”

“Yea J Joey, c come on.” Matt encouraged.

The three of them made their way downstairs. They were greeted by applause

“Happy Birthday Joey” They all called.

Oscar walked over to him. “Come on son. We have cake and Ice cream and presents for you in the kitchen.”

Oscar took Joey’s hand and they all followed him into the kitchen.

Joey was surprised to see all the balloons and everything.

“Here Joey.” Oscar pointed to the cake. “Do you know what this says?”

“It says ‘Happy Birthday Joey’.” Joey said. “Joey, that’s me.” He squealed.

“That’s right. And see all of these presents? They are for you.”

“From Santa clause again?”

Oscar laughed “No son, not from Santa this time. These are from your friends.”

“Ok. Can I open them?” Joey asked

“You sure can son.” Oscar smiled.

Every one watched as Joey opened up his presents.

Marc and Matt smiled at Joey the whole time “Hey Joey I used to have one of these when I was your age.” Marc told him.

“M me t too.” Matt said.

“Hey look here guys.” Steve said. “There is something here for the two of you too.”

“You didn’t have to do that Steve.” Marc said.

“It’s not much. Just some books and a new game, I know you guys like games.”

“W we sure d do.” Matt stated. “L let’s g go p play it M Marc.”

“It’s a new Clue, come on Joey.” Marc said. “We will show you how to play.”

“Yea well I noticed your old one was getting battered up and your dad said most of the pieces were missing."

‘They were. Thanks Steve!” The three of them ran off upstairs the game rattling the whole way.

Rudy and Oscar turned to Danny. “Well the little ones are occupied why don’t you tell us of you plan.” Rudy began.

“Why don’t we go into my office?” Danny suggested.

They followed Dan to his office. “Have a seat everyone.” Danny invited.

Oscar noticed that Dan had moved in extra chairs. Everyone sat down.

“Ok Danny I think we are ready.” Oscar turned to his son.

“Well.” Danny cleared his throat. “I am not real sure where to start.” Danny looked around. “How about with this.” He pointed to the cages on the bookcase. The cages contained his three rabbits

“Ok we are interested.” Rudy said.

Danny turned back to Steve and Jaime. “How would the two of you like to have your own baby?”

“Dan, I told you that wasn’t possible.” Rudy told him.

“I hold a counter view Rudy. Actually the baby wouldn’t belong to either one of you. I guess the parents would depend on which one of the two of you we used. If we used Steve then Helen and Carl would actually be the parents….”

Steve turned to Rudy whose face had gone pure white. “Do you have any idea what he’s talking about?”

Rudy nodded “I’m afraid I do Rudy swallowed hard “He’s talking about cloning…”

“You want to run that one by me again Rudy?” Jaime said.

“I said he’s talking about cloning.”

They all turned to Danny. “Now I see why you didn’t want to discuss it with us first.” Oscar scolded.

“If you will just hear me out.” Danny began.

Steve stood with his arm around Jaime. “I’m willing to listen. The idea he came up with for Marc has worked. Marc has grown a quarter of an inch and he doesn’t need to have his bionics changed.”

“I would like to hear what he has to say too.” Jaime agreed.”

Rudy turned to Danny “Ok Dan we’re listening.”

Again Danny cleared his throat. “Well I want to introduce you to Myra, Midge and Mitten.” He pointed to the three rabbits in the cages. Mitten is Myra’s baby; but not Midge’s even though Midge gave birth to her. Midge has no genetic tie to Mitten what so ever.

They all looked in the cages It was amazing. Rudy was very impressed. “How did you do it?” he asked.

“I removed the egg from Midge. I then removed Midge’s entire genetic make up. I took cells from Myra then injected them into the egg.

“Then you implanted the egg back into Midge.” Rudy interrupted.

“Right, and Midge has no idea the baby isn’t hers.”

“So your intentions are what Dan?” Oscar asked

“It works with rabbits, will it work with humans?” Steve sounded somewhat interested.

Danny turned to him He pushed his glasses up. “Yes Steve. I know it will work. If the two of you are willing.”

“I don’t know Danny” Jaime added. “It seems pretty creepy giving birth to yourself. I mean that’s what I’d be doing, right?

Danny turned to her. “In an affect, yes.”

Steve turned to Rudy. “Did you know he was going to discuss this with us?”

“No! I did not. He said he wanted to speak with the two of you, but refused to tell either one of us.” He indicated himself and Oscar. “Had I known I would never have allowed it”

Rudy turned to Danny. “Although what you did with the rabbits, is truly amazing.”

“Thanks Rudy.” Danny smiled

“You want to tell me exactly what you did?”

“Later.” He turned to Jaime and Steve. “Well what do the two of you think?”

“We could have our own baby?” Steve asked.

Danny nodded.

“I’m willing. I think. I mean I don't know if we should just jump into it." He turned to Jaime. "Jaime what do you think?”

“I agree. We or rather you still have to prove to Marc that things between you haven’t changed. That may take a while. So as soon as Marc is more accepting I am too.”

“Maybe by the first of the nest month, sooner I hope.” Jaime sighed.

“With any luck. I sure don’t want him running off again.” Steve stated.

“I’ll second that one.” Oscar agreed. “I better get upstairs and get the little one’s ready for bed. It’s already past Joey’s bed time.”

Oscar went upstairs. The twins were in Joey’s room they were just finishing his bedtime story. Joey was fast asleep.”

“Thanks you two. You better get to bed yourselves.” He followed them into their room “Do you guys want a story?” He asked

“Not tonight dad. I’m really tired.” Marc said. They crawled into their own beds and were both asleep in seconds.

Oscar went back downstairs. Everyone was in the living room. “They all asleep?” Steve asked.

“Yea the twins put Joey to bed. I completely forgot about the kids.” Oscar admitted.

“Well after Danny’s announcement, I’m surprised any of us remember our names.” Jaime said.

“Anyway.” Steve interrupted “We need to get home. I want to talk to Danny about this some more tomorrow.”

“Do you really think you’ll go through with it?” Oscar asked.

“I’m giving it some consideration.” Steve admitted.

Steve and Jaime left.

“Well Dan it’s been a long day. I think you better go on up to bed.” Oscar suggested.

“Yea, I am kind of tired.” Danny agreed. He went up to his room and was out in a matter of minutes.

Oscar and Rudy sat in the living room. “Well Rudy, what do you think of Danny’s idea?”

“Frankly I was amazed. Where did he come up with such a concept?” Rudy pondered.

“I have no idea. Do you think it will work?” Oscar wondered

“The time machine works, His idea for Marc’s bionics worked. Well so far anyway.”

The question is which one will they chose?” Oscar asked.

“Personally I’d like to see Danny cloned “ Rudy admitted

‘What?”

“It would be interesting to see if he would be as smart as Danny.” Rudy answered. “I wonder if that’s not what Danny has in mind.” He added.

“Well I hope not.” Oscar said.

“You know I told you I was going to retest Danny? I think I’ll do it tomorrow.” Rudy stood. “I think I’m going to turn in.”

“Let me know the results as soon as you get them. You really think he’s smarter?”

“You heard him tonight.” Rudy reminded

Oscar nodded.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

Steve and Jaime sat in their kitchen. “So, what do you think of Dan’s idea?” Steve asked as they drank coffee

“I really don’t know what to think of it. It’s all so unbelievable “ Jaime said. “I mean giving birth to your self. That’s what it would amount to.”

“Yea I know.” Steve agreed. “But I think it would be worth it.”

“Well like you said earlier tonight, we have to see how Marc will deal with it. I don’t want another situation like we just had.’

“You have that school teacher meeting tomorrow night, don’t you?”

“Yea, why?” Jaime wondered

“I thought I would have Marc stay all night, if that’s ok? I thought I would have a talk with Marc.”

“That sounds like a good idea to me.” Jaime agreed. “We have plenty of room.”

“My biggest obstacle is Matt.” Steve stated

“I think they are getting used to being separated “ Jaime informed him.

“Yea maybe your right.”

The next morning was Saturday. Rudy woke before anybody. He went down to Danny’s office and prepared to retest him. ‘His IQ has to be better than 280. How could he come up with such an idea?’ He looked over at the rabbits again. There was one was white the other two were black. The white rabbit was ‘feeding’ the black rabbit as if it were actually the mother.

Rudy could here the entire upstairs stirring. He walked up the basement steps “Morning. He said.

“Hi Rudy, what were you doing in the basement?” Oscar asked.

“I was just setting things up. Danny, after breakfast I want you to join me in your office. I want to give you another test.”

“Why?” Danny wanted to know.

“Dan, I think you are smarter than you were only a few months ago.” Rudy told him

“Is that possible?” Dan asked. “I don’t know. Let’s find out. Ok?” Rudy told him

“I guess so.” Danny sighed.

After breakfast Rudy and Dan went down to Dan’s office where they knew they would have quiet.

Upstairs Oscar busied himself with other things trying not to think of what was going on just below him.

Two hours later Rudy and Dan emerged. “Dan, why don’t you go on up to your room. I want to talk to your dad.”

Dan nodded and went up to his room.

“What’s with him? Oscar asked. “He looks like he’s lost his best friend.”

“Oscar you’re going to want to sit down for this one.”

Oscar sat down at the kitchen. “Ok Rudy, I’m ready.”

Rudy sat across from him. “Oscar Dan is much smarter than he was only a few months ago. I can’t even chart him. You see we not only go by how many questions they get right. We also go by how long it takes them to complete the test.”

“I’m listening.” Oscar was amazed.

Oscar. That test I gave him should have taken Danny at least four hours to complete. He finished in a little under an hour and a half. And he answered every question correctly…”

“Rudy, is that possible?” Oscar asked.

“For someone my age, with my education and background, yes. For a twelve year old boy, no, and Danny knows it too. That’s why he’s so upset. I don’t think he wants to be that smart.”

“I don’t understand. What is going on with him? I mean how is that happening?”

“I really don’t know. One thing I do know is that the Richmond School is no longer challenging enough for him. He told me that himself. That’s why he wanted to take the law classes as well.”

“Then he hasn’t taken on more than he can handle at least.”

“Oscar you’re missing the point he could today take the State boards, and the state bar today and pass. Without even trying.”

“Are you serious?” Oscar asked

“I couldn’t be more serious.” Rudy told him. “I think you need to talk to them at Danny’s school on Monday. Maybe they can give him harder work to do. Or something.”

“I will Rudy I just can’t believe it..”

“You should take the test in too. By the way, it’s the same test they gave him when he started. Another thing, with the knowledge that kid has… I mean I would hate to see that knowledge end up in the wrong hands. If you know what I mean.”

After much thought Oscar replied slowly “I know exactly what you mean Rudy. So what do we do about it besides talking to his teachers.” Oscar added

“I guess I could give him more work to do. Work that would challenge him a little more, I really don’t know what to do.” Rudy sighed.

“I’m all for that. Maybe I can give him other things to do as well. He speaks, reads and writes several different languages; maybe he can decode messages too or something. I tell you one thing. I’m glad he’s on our side. I hope he stays that way.” Oscar observed.

“Me too. Rudy agreed. “I’ll see what I can do. But I think you need to continue what you’re doing with him around here. Those chores he has to do are great. Being smart is one thing but learning responsibility is something else.

“I agree completely on that one.” Oscar nodded.

By early afternoon it was raining again. Steve stopped by. “Will this rain ever stop?” He asked.

“I don’t know. All I know is that I’m getting tired of it.” Oscar replied. “It seems like it has rained everyday this month.

“Where is everybody?” Steve asked looking around.

“The twins are upstairs with Joey teaching him how to play clue and Danny and Rudy are in the basement.”

“Well Jaime and I did some talking last night. We want to take Dan up on his offer. Just as soon as Marc is ready to ‘share’ me.” Steve told him. “And speaking of Marc would you mind if I took him to my place tonight. Jaime has some teacher meeting tonight, and I’ll be all alone most of the night…”

“Aw! Are you afraid of the boogie man?” Oscar laughed.

“No. I thought it would give Marc and I some time alone. I want to talk to him about certain things.”

“I understand if you can get Matt to give him up, it’s fine with me.”

“Great, then I’ll go talk to them.” Steve headed upstairs to the twin’s room.

“Ok, I’ve got it” Marc announced, “It was Miss White, in the ballroom and she used the rope.”

Matt looked through his cards. “I I think y your r right.” He sighed.

“Hi Steve.” Marc called. “Do us a favor, look in here and tell us if I’m right. I said its Miss White in the ballroom with the rope.”

Steve took the card file from the game board and looked through the cards. “You’re right Marc.

“Yea, I win again.” Marc cried.

“I I’m t tired of this g game.” Matt said.

Steve sat down at the table between the twins. “Matt, would you mind if I stole Marc for the night?”

“I g guess n not.” Matt answered

Steve turned to Marc. “How bout it partner would you like to stay with me tonight?”

“You mean it Steve?” Marc smiled.

“I sure do so long as it’s ok with Matt.? You said it was ok.”

Matt nodded.

“Ok then Marc. Why don’t you pack up your gear? I’ll be downstairs talking to your dad.”

“Ok Steve! You sure it’s ok Matt.” Marc asked.

“I’m getting used to it.” Matt complained.

“If you don’t want me to go…”

“N no it’s alright, r really. You h have a g good t time with St Steve.”

“I will.’ Marc threw his clothes in a bag and headed downstairs.

Rudy Oscar Steve and Danny were all in the living room when Marc came downstairs.

“Ready Steve?”

“In just a minute pal.” He turned back to Danny “So as soon as.” He pointed to Marc. “I think we’ll be ready.”

I’ll be ready for you.” Danny said.

“Ok Marc I’m ready. Let’s go!” Steve said taking Marc’s bag.

It was still raining when they arrived at Steve’s house. “Jaime has a meeting tonight she said she would fix something for us before she left. Then it’s just you and me.”

‘Alright!’ Marc said to himself. He grabbed his bag and jumped out of the car.

“Well you two got back sooner that I thought.” Jaime said as they came in the back door. She was putting a casserole in the refrigerator. “Just put it in the oven about an hour and a half before you want to eat. Cook it at 350”

“Sounds good. Did you get that Marc?”

Marc smiled “Yea I got it.”

“Well then I have some shopping to do before I go tonight. I’ll leave you two to it then.”

“Have a seat Marc. We need to have a little chat. Just the two of us.” Steve pointed to one of chairs surrounding the kitchen the table.

“What is it Steve?” Marc took a seat across from him. “It sounds important.”

“It is Marc, it’s very important. You know Jaime feels the same way about you that I do?” Steve started.

Marc looked up at him “She does?”

“Marc, all three of us, share the same unique quality. You know that?”

Marc nodded.

“We both care very much for you.” Steve told him. “Nothing would ever change that. You know that don’t you?”

“Does this have anything to do with you and Jaime wanting to have a baby?” Marc asked.

“In a way yes. How do you feel about that idea?” Steve watched the expression on his face.

Marc shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret if we do have baby. We need help. Would you help us out with him or her?”

“You really want my help?” Marc looked up at Steve

“Not only do we want it we need it.” Steve admitted.

“Why do you need my help?” Marc asked.

“Well you see we have never had kids before. But you’ve been a big brother at least once, to Joey. How did you feel when your parents had Joey?”

“We were all happy!” Marc told him.

“Well see. If you just give us a chance. I know we can make it all work.”

“I guess so.” Marc said.

“Well Marc it’s not going to happen tomorrow. It takes a while to have a baby…” Now Steve found himself in a sticky situation. Just how much should he tell an eight year old?

“Listen before you ask all kinds of questions you talk to your dad, ok?”

Marc laughed. “I understand. Steve.”

Steve looked at his watch “Well let’s say we get that casserole in the oven?”

“Sounds good to me. I’m getting kind of hungry.” Marc said.

Steve took the casserole out of the refrigerator and placed it in the oven. He stood and turned back to Marc. “So If Jaime and I have a baby, you’re not going to run away? Marc, I don’t want you to ever run away again.”

“I won’t Steve.” Marc promised him.

“I mean it Marc. You can’t ever run away again. If you are upset about something anything, even it involves one of us. You need to talk about it. No more setting fires to your bedroom and absolutely no more of that not talking. Got it?”

Marc nodded. “I promise Steve.”

When Jaime came home the two of them were sitting on the couch together watching TV

”Hi guys. She turned to Steve. ‘I’ll tell you all about it in a minute.’ “Marc, its way past you bed time. Come on I’ll take you on up. Will you be ok up there alone?” Jaime and I will be up in a minute.”

“I’ll be fine, just leave the light on.” Marc suggested.

“I can do that.” They went upstairs “Now climb on in there ok. I see you brought a book want me to read you a story?”

“You need the practice.” Marc smiled. “For when you have your own little boy.”

“That’s right Marc.” Steve read him his story then went back downstairs.

“How is he?” Jaime asked

“I think he’s going to be alright. Hopefully before the month is out. We can…” Steve looked at her.

“I hope so. I hope Danny’s theory works.” Jaime admitted.

“Yea so do I. Everything else the kid has come up with has worked.” Steve reminded

“That’s true.” Jaime sighed.

Later that night everyone was asleep “Steve, Steve wake up. I heard something.”

“What did you hear?”

“I don’t know. It sounded like a thump.”

“I’ll check it out.” Steve got out of bed. Then they heard Marc scream

“Steve! Steve help!”…

Steve Ran out of the room and down the hall followed by Jaime They ran for the room Marc was sleeping in hoping Marc has only fallen out of bed.

Steve opened the Door. "Marc, are you alright?"

Steve stepped into the room. He recognized the man right away as the man who had broken into Oscar's house in December Frank something was his name He was never quite clear on it. He held Marc. "Stand back Austin!" He said pointing a gun at him. "You tell Goldman my boss doesn't take no for an answer. I offered him money for this guy. He didn't want it so I'm going to take him."

Marc was crying. "You be quiet!!" Frank shouted at the frightened boy. Steve made a move to try and subdue the man holding Marc. The man fired and hit Steve in the shoulder. Steve dropped to the floor.

Jaime stepped forward. "Stand back or you get the same!!"

Frank looked down at Marc. "Now you and I have a long over due meeting with someone who is not very patient. You come along and no one gets hurt."

"You're scaring him!" Steve shouted. “Look why don't you take me. He's just a child."

The man laughed. "No way, my boss wants him. If you try and stop me or follow me, I'll kill the boy, got it?"

Marc was in tears as they started to leave.

"At least let him put some clothes on." Jaime tried to stall.

"You must think I'm a fool." He shot again this time barely missing Jaime's head. "Now everybody just stay put and no one gets hurt."

Of course Frank didn't know that Marc could talk to his brother in the next town. That's what Jaime was counting on that Marc had somehow sent out an alarm to Matt and that Oscar would be on the way.

Jaime was right.

'Come on Matt WAKE UP!!!"

'I'm awake what is it what's wrong?"

'Get dad there trouble here Steve has been shot, the guy that shot him is trying to take me.'

'I'll get dad.' Matt told him.

Matt ran down the hall to Oscar 's room "Dad! Dad! Wake up!"

Oscar was awake in a matter of seconds. "What it is Matt?”

"Marc is talking to me. Someone broke into Steve and Jaime's house. They are trying to take Marc. They already shot Steve.

Oscar jumped out of bed. "Wake up Danny, tell him to take care of you and Joey. Oscar called Russ. Russ was closer to the scene as well as the OSI security team.

Oscar ran down stairs to get Rudy. They were both out the door at the same time Jaime was telling Frank too allow Marc to change his clothes.

Frank, still holding on to Marc escorted him out into the hall and down the stairs "Now we are going out to my car you will not say a word. Understand?"

Marc nodded.

They stepped out on to the porch. "Hold it!!" Russ called out. "You're surrounded just drop it and let the boy go,"

Frank wasn't about to give up that easily He fired a shot at Russ just as Oscar and Rudy pulled into the drive.

Jaime and Steve breathed a sigh of relief when they heard Oscar and Russ' voice. "How is your shoulder?" Jaime asked.

“It will be fine. It hit kind of in the middle of the real me, and the bionic me. I just hope Marc is alright."

More shots were fired and Frank went down. Marc ran to his dad, while Russ and the rest of the security team surrounded Frank.

"Marc how bad is Steve?" Rudy asked.

I don't know. " Marc started to cry.

"Rudy, you better go see. I think Marc is fine. Am I right son?"

"Yea dad, I'm ok."

Rudy ran into the house Steve and Jaime were just coming down the stairs.

While Rudy was asking Steve if he was all right? Steve was asking Rudy if Marc was all right.

"He's a bit shaken but I think he'll be fine. That's quite a gift those two have. I just hope they never out grow it.” Rudy informed him. Then turned his attention back to Steve. "Now let me see your shoulder.”

Steve sat on the couch while Rudy assessed the damage. “I see it hit right in the middle.” Rudy stated.

“Yea, tell me about it.” Steve said.

Rudy looked at him. “Does it hurt?”

Steve thought for a moment. “Yea, as a matter of fact it does.”

“We better get to the lab. I have to get that bullet out of you.”

“I want to talk to Marc first.” Steve said.

“Ok but just for a minute. I really think we need to get that out of you since the ‘real ‘ you is involved.

“I understand. Where is Marc?”

“He’s outside with Oscar. Russ already took Frank into custody.”

“Rudy, Marc doesn’t know that is the same guy who broke into Oscar’s house right.”

“He’s a pretty perceptive kid Steve he figured it out.”

“Is he ok with it. I mean…”

‘Yea, I know what you mean. He seems ok.” Rudy told him.

Oscar and Marc both stepped into the house. As soon as Marc saw Steve he ran to him. “Steve? Are you alright?”

“Yea, I’m fine partner. I just need to have Rudy take care of something. You better go home with your dad. We’ll do this another time ok?”

“Yea ok. Are you sure you’re going to be alright?”

“Yea Marc, I’ll be just fine.” Steve reached out and ruffled Marc’s hair. “I’ll see you later on today, ok?”

“Ok Steve.” Marc turned to Oscar “Let’s go home dad.”

“Ok son. We better get going. I left Danny watching Matt and Joey.”

...Continued