A Father’s Love

The next morning, Rocky wakes up to Jennifer in his arms, her head resting on his chest. As she slowly walks up, hugging him tighter, he feels an overwhelming sense of peace.

She opens her eyes and looks up at him. "Good morning!"

He kisses her forehead and then her lips. "It is now."

A knock swiftly comes from the door.

"Who could that be?" Rocky asks, getting out of bed and slipping on a pair of pants.

Once at the door, he opens it sightly to see Sasha waiting patiently. "Hey, I don't mean to interrupt, but I need you for the morning."

Rocky stands in the door, blocking the view inside. "What's up?"

Sasha stands on her toes. "Good morning, Jennifer!"

"Good morning, Sasha!" Jennifer replies.

"I need you to get me access to 166's room." Sasha answers.

Rocky looks confused.

"I.. saw Clef last night.. and we talked."

Rocky smiles. "I imagine there was more to it than that."

"Oh, shut up!" Sasha groans.

Rocky cocks his head. "We are linked, Sasha. I may not feel what you feel, but you certainly feel my emotions. Nothing to be ashamed of."

"Tell that to my female spirit with your emotions fixed in. Not a great combination." Sasha says sassily. "So hurry up!"

Rocky leaves the door cracked as he quickly gets dressed and kisses Jennifer goodbye.

"Stay safe, sweety!" Jennifer says worriedly.

"You know me!" Rocky smiles.

Jennifer lightly pulls his ear playfully. "Yeah, always looking for trouble. Now get going before you are late."

Once out in the hall, Sasha has a thought. "Would.. you like me to set up a fancy dinner for you two after we get back?"

Rocky nods. "That would be great!"

Once they reach 166's room, Rocky radios in the request, and the buzzer sounds.

Entering, 166 is sitting at her desk, as usual, but this time her long blonde hair is the only thing covering her body.

She looks up with a smile. "Well, hello again!"

"Hello, 166, I have brought a friend today." Rocky replies.

Sasha shyly walks out from behind him.

166 leaps up quickly in surprise. "Are you Sasha?!"

Sasha nods. "Yes."

166 runs over and begins examining her. "Jennifer was right, you are completely made of chains! You are beautiful, just like she said!"

Sasha chuckles. "Well, that is nice of you to say. I.. uh.. have something for you.. from your father."

166 looks up in surprise. "Really?! Is he okay?! Will he be coming to see me?!"

Sasha produces the envelope. "I can defiantly tell you he is doing fine, just sad that he could not send this sooner."

166 takes the envelope with tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you!"

Sasha, not often the touchy-feely type, quickly wraps her in a hug. "Stay strong, dear. I promise we are working on making this work. We will reunite you two again someday."

166 hugs her back.

Rocky feels a bit awkward with the emotions between future stepdaughter and stepmother. "I promise I am working on a solution. If nothing else..."

"We will be seeing your father later, if you want to read this and send a letter back!" Sasha interrupts.

166's eyes light up. "YES!" She rips open the envelope and takes out a letter and a picture.

The letter inside reads as follows:

My dearest daughter, Epon,

I do not deserve your forgiveness for these twenty-one years of absence from your life, but I hope that in some small way, one day, I can make it all up to you. Among my colleagues, I am known for my compulsive lies and unpredictable behavior, but as of late I have realized that has just been a mask to cover up my insecurities. My insecurities being linked to my fear that I have failed as your father.

As I mentioned before, I first met you when I was sent to terminate your mother. This is not exactly true but was a front letter to throw off the foundation's investigations and efforts to derail our plans. The truth is, I have been here every step of your life, watching and nurturing from afar. Seeing as I am a man, I am sure you understand that I am possibly not immune to your anomalous ability, despite being your father. No matter how much I would wish to say this in person and give you a fatherly hug telling you all will be okay, I fear it would end the same as any other man that has entered your room before me. This is why I must conduct myself in this manner, although it pains me deeply to do so. I have only ever held you in my arms a hand full of times, before your anomalous ability serviced, as your mother and I sang you to sleep. I am so very proud to be your father.

The "termination" was your mother's plan and not simply an order handed down by ignorant humans. Before I pulled that trigger, for a split second, even I had second thoughts, but that confident smile on your mother's face told me all would be okay. For you see, before that she had petitioned SCP-343 to grant her the gift of reincarnation, complete with all memories, so she could ensure our safety. He granted this to her under one condition, that you would be raised as you have been, into a fine proper lady. Your mother, all be it not "alive" during your life leading up to her true reincarnation on Feb. 19th, 2012, was still very active in the world in "spirit". She is now known as SCP-2845, contained in site 100 and very close by to this facility.

I say "reincarnation" as it is the most convenient term, but in fact, it was an exchange of spirits and consciousness, ultimately killing the original 2845. This was because the original 2845, first sighted Nov. 27th, 2011, had become so disruptive, in its short time on earth, that it had displeased 343 and forced him to either make this deal or terminate it himself. Much to our surprise, your mother was additionally granted all of 2845's anomalous abilities.

I hope.. that this next part will sit well with you.. With this transformation having been completed, your mother urged me, through telepathic communication, to try to find someone suitable of being your stepmother and worthy of my love. For years I have fought that request, arguing that your mother is and forever will be my only true love. She, being the stubborn confident leader, became angry with me saying that it was my duty, as your father, to provide a normal family for you. In my reluctant search for such a woman, I became known as a ruthless womanizer, although my true intentions were simply to scare any woman away from me. With my pattern of failure, painfully intentional to your mother, she issued an ultimatum to me. The ultimatum was that if I was unable to secure the undying love of another woman she would escape and destroy all of us. I am still not sure if she was serious or just speaking out of anger. Regardless and with that being explained, I.. would like to introduce Sasha, your future stepmother. I would hope you would treat her kindly as she, like me, only wishes the best for you.

Attached is a photograph I have been carrying with me for quite some time. I think it is best you have it.

Your loving father,

Dr. Alto Clef.

On the back of the surprisingly well-kept photo is written, "Your mother."

166 examines the photo carefully, running her hand over the photo. "She had horns.. just like me. She was so beautiful!" A single tear falls to the floor before she quickly turns and sits at her desk.

Rocky shuffles his feet with unease, as 166 writes what seems like a painfully short letter and stands handing it to Sasha.

"Please present this to my father." 166 says seriously before sitting again and hanging her head. "I apologize that I am not a better host, but I need time to process all of this." She looks back up with a tearful smile. "But please come back and visit me sometime!"

Sasha nods. "I understand, sweety. I will return to visit after our mission."

As they walk out, 166 stands quickly. "I will be praying for your success and safe return!"

Sasha and Rocky wave as they exit, locking the door behind them.

"That went.. well." Rocky says still feeling awkward.

Sasha glances angrily at him. "Would you get over that awkwardness. I know she and I are only years apart in age. I personally feel awkward enough about that without you adding to it."

Rocky breathes deep. "This is going to take some getting used to. I hope this will not affect the mission."

Sasha abruptly punches Rocky in the arm. "Nah! It will be like I was just one of the guys again, except I am dating a doctor and emotionally linked to the quarterback."