"Helmut, come here for a minute."

"Young Master?"

"Where has Genesis been since dinner? I haven't seen a trace of her."

"I believe she has been in her room. I stopped by there a short time ago to see that everything was all right."

"Thank you Helmut, that's all for now."

"Yes sir."

The moment Helmut had made his last step out the door, Jose was on the phone to his father. It was time for the fun to begin. He waited, feeling very smug, as Krumens transferred the call.

Von Reichter came onto the line. "What is it, Jose?"

"Father, I have very important news to report!" his son blurted out excitedly. "I was looking out the window earlier this evening when I saw Genesis leap over the fence and head into the city over the rooftops!"

There was silence on the other end. Then: "Jose, if this is some sort of a joke I'll make sure you won't be laughing for very long."

"I'm telling you the truth, Father, I swear it! You can ask Helmut; he said he went to check on her because she hadn't come out of her room all night!"

The doctor sighed angrily. "Where is she now?"

"I saw her come back two hours after she left. She looked as if she had been crying." Jose waited, gleefully imagining his father as he realized whom Genesis could have run into.

"I see. Expect a call from me tomorrow," he said abruptly. "In the meantime, you and Helmut are to keep Genesis home unless strictly supervised. Absolutely no excursions at night and maintain high security at all times. She is not to leave that property by herself again. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, very clear Father."

"Good. Above all, don't let her get suspicious!" And suddenly the phone call was over. Jose snickered and bounded out of his office. He walked down the hall, passing his father's portrait, and stood in front of the guest room door.

*Your days of royalty are numbered, My Queen.* He smiled maliciously and continued on.

Eight Days Later

Genesis was frustrated. She must have looked in every pet shop in Meridiana, and none of them had been selling dachshunds. The manager at one shop told her that a breeder was expecting one of his dogs to have puppies soon, but of course they wouldn't be old enough to be sold for several weeks after they were born. She could only wait, and she was tired of waiting for things to happen. It was just so boring.

One evening, Genesis descended the staircase and went in search of a staff member, yawning. She turned a corner and spotted a Fixed Idea. He saw her and stood to attention.

"Excuse me, is anyone available to chaffeur tonight?" She received a blank look. "To drive me somewhere," she explained.

The Fixed Idea looked uncomfortable. "Um...um...Sylvester explain." He gestured for her to follow him. They soon met up with a black-haired Techno. The huge Idea leaned down and whispered something to him before returning to his post. Genesis was beginning to feel suspicious.

"I'm very sorry Miss Genesis, but I was told you're to stay home when it's this late," stated Sylvester. He looked as uncomfortable as his messenger had.

"I am? But it's not late at all!" This wasn't right...

Sylvester shrugged. "Orders, Miss. I'm sorry."

"Hmm..." his lady frowned at the situation. "Where is Helmut?"

"I think in the front room with Master Jose, Miss."

Genesis raised an eyebrow at the name. "Thank you, Herr Sylvester," she said through her teeth, as she turned to go to the front room. "Danke schon, ich verstehe..."

Jose and Helmut looked up in surprise when Genesis walked into the room. She stopped just in front of Jose and crossed her arms over her designer top.

"I'm 'to stay at home' at night, am I?" she questioned the boy, who was also crossing his arms and glaring. Helmut scrambled to put himself between the two.

"Miss Genesis, you misunderstand," he laughed nervously, hoping to stop her suspicions and prevent a fight. "Meridiana is a very unfriendly place at night. It can be very unpleasant, e-even dangerous! Besides...er, you've been so busy, what with visiting the city and looking for a puppy, and - well, we thought you might take some time to relax here at the mansion, watch T.V., sit in the hot tub, paint your nails...whatnot..." He felt sweat forming on the back of his neck.

Genesis eyed him for a moment. She knew that there was something else behind the boy's insistance to stay home, but because she doubted it was his idea she decided to go along with his story. "All right Helmut," she replied, allowing him to escort her out of the room, "since you insist on it." With that she turned her head to scowl at Jose and mouthed "dumkopf."

* * *

*Wow! Talk about luck!*

Cybersix let a grin spread across her face as she caught a glimpse through the rain of the person she hadn't expected to find for days. Nervously, Genesis was making her way across the maze of rooftops, antennae and satellite dishes. Cybersix took a breath to calm herself before resuming her course.

Genesis heard the rush of another body leaping nearby and stopped where she was. Sure enough, someone landed close behind her and she spun around, on guard.

"Hello again," Cybersix began softly. The other woman remained wary.

"Please don't run," she continued. "I'm not here to fight with you."

"Then why are you here?"

Cybersix sighed. "Will you come with me to talk? We should go somewhere out of the rain."

Genesis agreed wonderingly and followed her one-time adversary. Hidden in the shadows one rooftop away, a man signalled to someone on the street below.

The abandoned factory warehouse looked as quiet and empty as Data 7 had described it. He had scores of private little dens all over the city, selected for their comfort in times of nap attacks. His body was, after all, that of a feline.

"This looks like a good place," Cybersix said to Genesis once they were inside. Her quarry was apparently not used to such dark, creaking surroundings. Trying to make her feel better, Cybersix suggested they sit on the firm steel staircase leading to the partial loft above.

Genesis sat - even here - with grace and placed her hands in her lap. Cybersix politely sat a few steps lower. She found herself wishing that she had been given the lessons in manners Genesis obviously had. Instead she had been forced to observe and practise them as best she could.

"You asked to talk with me?"

"That's right," Cybersix removed her hat to let the water run off. She looked up into the other woman's familiar eyes. "I'd like to initiate a truce."

"What's a 'truce?'"

"Well, it's making peace. When two people decide not to be angry at each other anymore."

"You mean you don't want us to fight like last time."

"Exactly. Genesis, I'm sorry for upsetting you. We got off to a bad start, and I'd like us very much to be friends." She extended a hand. With relief, she felt it being taken.

"Friends..." Genesis repeated, listening to the new word and liking it.

The sound of another voice suddenly sent them both jumping out of their skins.

"Really, Cybersix. Taking advantage of the innocent? How shameful."