Penne returned with a tray of food and saw the group playing. Looking at Roni, she noticed that she was bonding with Ryuu in particularly, the duo acting like siblings. She was relieved that Roni was having a good time. She slowly reapproached the group, setting the food down.

“Looks like we’re all having fun, aren’t we?” Penne chuckled a little.

“Hey, you seem to be settling down huh?” Ryuu asked.

“I will admit, it’s nice to get some rest and relaxation.” Penne said.

“You work harder than anyone in the Science Corps.” Doc said. “If anyone deserves a vacation, it’s you!”

“Why thank you, Maguro.” Penne looked over at Ryuu. “And thank you for convincing me to take it easy, Aka.”

“You don’t ned to mention it Miss. I guess I just have a certain charm about me.” Ryuu said.

“Don’t push it…” Penne said.

“Is that what passes for charm these days?” Scuttles said.

“Hey!” Ryuu reached for Scuttles as Roni walked back over.

“Mom… thanks for coming today.” Roni said.

“Oh my dear… I’d do anything for you.” The two hugged. “You know… I already said it, but it’s nice not working all night.”

“You thinking of starting to take nights off now, Miss Dente?” Doc asked.

“Maybe… but who’d help with the Science Corp? Someone needs to be there.” Penne said.

“Surely you’d be able to hire an assistant.” Ryuu said.

“Well, I am the most senior member of the Science Corps… under Suki of course.” Penne said. “But… I suppose a nice break every once in a while is nice.”

“I’m hungry… can we eat yet?” Scuttles asked.

“Oh… I almost forgot about the food. Let’s eat before getting back to the game.” Penne says as Scuttles runs towards the table.

Later, the group had wandered to a park after they finished up at the bowling alley. Ryuu, Scuttles and Macaroni were throwing around a frisbee as Doc and Penne sat at a bench, talking.

“So, I feel like I have to ask.” Doc said. “If you don’t mind that is…”

“Depends on what you’re gonna say. Am I gonna have to slap you after?” Penne asked.

“No, not at all!” Doc sputtered. “Are you gonna pass Ryuu?”

“Well… that still depends.” Penne said. “While he didn’t destroy the labs today, is he really captain material?”

“There is no set of criteria that makes up a good captain.” Doc said.

“Hmm… proceed…” Penne said.

“Your issue with Ryuu seems to be his impulse control, right?” Doc asked. “Sure, that can be an issue, but Ryuu likes to help people without even thinking.”

“Without thinking, he could run into trouble like that.” Penne said. “There are plenty of people who take advantage of that.”

“Ryuu is a good fighter, he can defend him and his own.” Doc said. 

“While I agree that a captain should be tactical, one should also be willing to talk.” Penne said. 

“Right…” Doc looked down.

“So tell me… You’re the last person who would be spending time with their boss after work. Are you doing this just to get your captain to pass his training?” Penne said.

“What? Of course not, what makes you say that?” Doc asked.

“I’ve been through this song and dance before. At least 70% of the people who went through this training tried to spend time with me and a few of the other scientists in order to get all chummy with me.” Penne said.

“Wait, what? What’s this all about?” Doc asked.

“I’ve never had someone be successful when convincing me.” Penne said. “I will say, a mother does have a soft spot for her children, so I figured I’d entertain your notions.”

“Come on, Ryuu means well! No need to be so critical.” Doc said.

“I’m sure he does… but just because he means well doesn’t mean he’s not selfish.” Penne said.

“Who isn’t a little selfish?” Doc asked.

“Fair question…” Penne said as she stood up. “That said, I’m not sure I can pass Ryuu tonight.”

“What? But you said he did fine during work today!” Doc said.

“True, but I just feel that he’s not captain material.” Penne said.

“Please! Just help us! This is Ryuu’s dream!” Doc said. “Our whole crew’s dream!”

“I’m sorry, Doc… I think I should’ve just stayed at work tonight…” Penne said.

“What’s with the complete turn around?” Doc asked. “You were all hyped about this earlier.”

“Maybe this outing was a mistake.” Penne said, not realizing Macaroni was listening.

“Mistake?” Roni said as she looked at her mother, who turned around to face her. “This was a mistake?”

“Roni! You weren’t supposed to hear that.” Penne said.

“No… I understand…” Roni said as she turned and started to run off. “You were doing fine earlier, but I didn’t realize spending time with me was such a chore…”

“Roni!” Penne reached out.

“Eesh…” Ryuu looked over at Penne and picked Scuttles up.”Um…”

“What!? What do you want now?” Penne looked at Ryuu.

“I… sorry…” Ryuu said.

“Good… stay quiet now.” Penne put her head into her hands.

“I… feel like this is my fault.” Ryuu said.

“No… It’s not, I shouldn’t have said that.” Penne said. “How could I be so stupid… I can’t do this anymore…”

“Don’t say that, sometimes people just say things they don’t mean.” Ryuu said.

“It’s just… raising a kid on your own is hard.” Penne said.

“No one said it wasn’t easy, Penne… but surely, it’s fulfilling.” Doc said.

“Doesn’t Roni have a dad?” Scuttles said. “What happened to him.”

“Scuttles, that’s kinda rude to ask.” Ryuu said.

“No, it’s fine… It’d be a long shot to say he was an old boyfriend.” Penne said, thinking. “He was more a one night fling.”

“Didn’t he know that he had a daughter?” Doc asked.

“You think I didn’t tell him that?” Penne said. “He didn’t want anything to do with her, he ran off.”

“You said he’s in Hell Vegas, right? Why not go find him?” Ryuu asked.

“Because there’s no point… you find him, then he disappears. He’s a con artist, he doesn’t wanna be found.” Penne said.

“Well… listen, we all screw up sometimes. Pobody’s nerfect.” Ryuu said.

“What? That’s not how you say it.” Penne said.

“No, that’s the point of the saying, it’s the incorrect way of saying it.” Ryuu said.

“Oh… either way, what am I gonna do?” Penne asked. “I stay at work late most nights of the week and then I say that taking one night off was a mistake.”

“Go talk to her… Roni is young, but kids have a surprisingly good grasp on things.” Ryuu said.

“Ryuu, I ate a bee.” Scuttles said.

“Kids have a grasp on most things… go find her, be with her.” Ryuu said.

“You’re right… come on, I want you with me on this.” Penne said as the two ran in the direction Roni went off towards.

“Doc, keep an eye on Scuttles!” Ryuu shouted.

“Don’t leave me with him! He scares me!” Doc looked down at Scuttles.

Ryuu and Penne had found themselves running down a long hallway. Peeking around a corner, they found Macaroni sitting down on the ground. Ryuu looked back at Penne.

“Go… go talk to her…” Ryuu said as Penne walked over to Roni. 

“Roni… Can we talk?” Penne asked.

“What do you want?” Roni turned away.

“Listen… I said something real stupid earlier. Any time I get to spend with you is far from a mistake.” Penne said.

“You work all the time now, I just wish you’d be able to make a little more time to be at home.” Roni said. “I only ever get to see you on calls.”

“I know… but things get busy in the Science Corps…” Penne said.

“So… you don’t have to work for them…” Roni said.

“Roni, I need to work… I know it’s hard but… maybe I can make it up to you.” Penne said.

“How?” Roni asked.

“I don’t know… but… actually.” Penne thought for a moment. “I know what I can do…”

“What?” Roni asked.

“I think I’ll step down as secondary head of the Science Corps.” Penne said.

“What!? Are you sure you can just do that?” Roni asked.

“What?!” Ryuu shouted as the two looked over at him.

“It’ll be fine… the whole reason I’m having these late nights is because of my job…” Penne said. “If I stepped down as secondary head, then I’ll be able to start coming home at night.”

“You… you would do that for me?” Roni asked, tearing up.

“I’d do anything for you, little one.” Penne said as Roni jumped into her. She looked over at Ryuu who was giving her a thumbs up, Penne smiled.

Later in the night, the group were at Penne’s apartment watching a movie. Scuttles and Roni had already fallen asleep while the other three had been talking.

“You know… maybe I was wrong about you Ryuu.” Penne said. “It may take a bit to fully warm up, but I want to say thank you for making me realize that all the work wasn’t healthy…”

“Eh, it’s not entirely me… you made the final decision.” Ryuu said.

“So, you’re really gonna be stepping down as the secondary head?” Doc asked.

“Yeah, a parent should be there for their child… I’m all that Roni has…” Penne said. “I just hope that whoever takes over my old position is better at the work life balance thing.”

“I hear that… science is exhausting, how can you guys do that all day?” Ryuu asks.

“It’s all about the pursuit of knowledge, Ryuu.” Doc said.

“I was never too good at science, I got a G minus before dropping out.” Ryuu said.

“G MINUS!?! That’s not even a real grade!” Doc said.

“Then how did I get it?” Ryuu asked.

“You two keep at this… I’m gonna get another drink.” Penne said as she stood up.

Walking into the kitchen, Penne picked up a bottle of wine on the counter and noticed Ryuu’s ID Card. Looking back at the living room, she made sure no one was looking and picked up the card.

“You know what… I think he deserves this…” Penne says as she stamps the card with the Science Corps’ emblem.

Next Chapter - Doc of the Aquax