Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Too...many...goggleheads! ❯ Houston, I think we're in the wrong timeline... ( Chapter 2 )

Too…many…goggle-heads!

Chapter 2: Houston, I think we're in the wrong time line…

By: Flamegaruru

Well now, it is I, Flamegaruru, yet again! This time I have the second chapter of my continuing goggle-head series to boot! In this chapter, all will become clearer, and flow easier (hopefully). Because, after all, tomorrow is a big day for our Matsudas. Erm, Matsukis. Before I do the disclaimer, there are some people I would like to acknowledge before I being:

Goggle-heads' gal: YOU are my 100th reviewer of the 'Goggle-head' series! *cheering* So, this chapter is dedicated especially to YOU!

Digidestined of Courage: Thank you for the idea of Takato being head of the drawing corporation. This goes hand in hand with : The almighty god of cheese, crackers and communism: with Takato's computer stuff and Ruki's job. I feel a bit odd having Ruki be what she will, but…I will probably get flamed enough to roast marshmallows.

Mimi Tachikawa: I'm SORRY that Ruki is going to be the job you don't want her to be!

Thank you all other reviewers who suggested jobs for our infamous couple! ^_^

And finally, a special note to Cutie Blossom: Your guess was 100% on the dot. ^___^

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing of Digimon. Nada. Zip. Cero. This story contains RUKATO so, if you are a fan of someotherguy/Ruki, or Jeri/Takato, or non-Rukato and Jenjuri fan- BACK OFF IMMEDIATELY! Flames are not welcome! Death to flames! Have a nice day!

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Rika groaned as the recent events swirled in her head. One minute I'm in Guilmon's shack, and the next I'm in bed with my boyfriend! Something definitely went wrong during that period!

Takato scratched his mass of hair atop his head, pondering why he was in bed with Rika while keeping some certain thoughts out of his head.

" Well, of all the things in the world, I would never in a million years, think to see the day that you were a mother, Rika," Takato jokingly said.

Rika sat up and glared at Takato. " And just what is wrong with me being a maternal, nurturing figure, eh?"

A big sweatdrop formed on the side of Takato's head. " Nothing. I just thought I wouldn't see it for a long time."

" So you're thinking that you would never marry me, or that I would get married?"

This certainly wasn't going the way Takato had planned it. " No, not at all! I was just trying to joke around!" Takato nervously laughed and scratched the back of his head.

Rika rolled her eyes. " You are loopy, goggle-head. I must remind myself of what I see in you."

" My dashing good looks and irresistible charm?" The quick reply brought a smirk to Takato's face.

Rika's reply was to smack a pillow in Takato's face.

" See you downstairs, goggle-head," Rika's reply was muffled through the feathery pillow.

While Takato leaned back into the bed, Rika grabbed a blue colored robe and draped it over herself. Looking back at Takato, Rika rolled her eyes and threw a red robe at her boyfriend and headed out the door.

Takato felt a soft lump hit his stomach, and he pulled the pillow off of his head and smiled as he saw a red robe lying on him. Slipping into the comfortable robe, Takato headed out of the room.

Gazing about the house, Takato had to admit it was pretty homely. The nice oak stairs led into a living room, he surmised, that had several different openings. Tossing a look over his shoulder and down the hall, Takato spied a few more rooms, excluding the one where he just came from. Guest rooms, and probably one for Tai. Grinning and slightly shaking his head, Takato made his way down the stairs. Me, a dad…

Rika patiently waited for Takato at the foot of the stairs. Although Rika had to admit she liked the feel of the house, she felt a little unease. Perhaps it was because she had just woken up in a new and foreign place, the sarcastic thought rolled about in her head. Takato flashed a bright smile her way as he reached the bottom, and Rika half-heartedly returned it.

" What's the matter?' Takato inquired as soon as he saw Rika's expression.

" I don't know," Rika admitted. " It's kind of strange waking up in a different place, one you have no idea about, and realizing that you have a son."

" You're right," Takato agreed, slinging his arm across Rika's shoulders. " But I for one can't think on an empty stomach. I smell food in the room in front of us, so how's about we eat, and figure this mystery out?"

Rika gave Takato a warm smile. " That has got to be one of your better ideas," Rika grinned again as Takato playfully smacked her arm.

Takato smiled and pushed the door open on its hinges, revealing quite the spectacle. Takato realized, through his dazed state of mind, that he was gaping. He felt Rika fall into his arms, and he did his best to keep both of them standing.

" Guilmon! What are you doing in that ridiculous apron?" Takato cried, appalled at what his best friend was wearing.

" Making breakfast, Takatomon. Just like always," Guilmon replied, a perplexed expression written all over his face as he looked at his tamer, the red tail swishing behind him.

A little clank to the left of Rika and Takato diverted their attention from Guilmon. Tai was sitting at a medium sized table fit with five chairs, his little feet adorned with Garfield slippers dangling from the chair. He blinked quizzically at his parents, wondering why they were just standing there.

"It's a Bahney apwon, Taka-daddy," the little boy innocently said. "I picked them out, with help fwom Gwamma and Gweat-gwamma N."

" Barney?" Takato still sputtered his disbelief at seeing Guilmon clad in an apron, making pancakes, Barney the purple dinosaur all over his chest. From below him, Rika snorted.

" Rika, are you all right?" A deep female voice asked from the right, startling Rika and Takato.

" Renamon!" Rika exclaimed. " Not you too!" She groaned, putting a hand to her head.

Renamon, a puzzled expression over her face, stared at her Tamer. Her eyes shifted momentarily down, taking in her apron. A slight pink hue showed through her fuzzy face as she assessed the fact that she was wearing a Blues Clues apron.

" Why me?" Rika silently asked to no one in particular as Renamon moved about the kitchen, setting plates and silverware on the table, smiling at Tai.

" Breakfast is on!" Guilmon gleefully said while Tai squealed excitedly.

Takato inhaled the sweet aroma of pancakes as he and Rika sat down across from Tai.

" Taka-daddy, Wika-mommy, why aren't you sitting wif me?" Tai's lower lip jutted out, trembling. His eyes widened and tears started to pool around the eyelids.

Rika and Takato just stared at Tai. Grunting, Rika heaved herself up from the spot and plopped herself down to the right of Tai. At this, the little toddler chirped his thanks, then diverted his attention to Takato. Takato blinked in confusion as the entire kitchen became silent. A sweatdrop appeared when Rika began to glare harshly at him. Finally catching onto the cue, Takato quickly pushed back his chair and took a seat to the left of Tai.

"Wenamon! Is the food weady yet?" The tiny Tai merrily asked of the fox Digimon.

" Breakfast is served," Renamon announced and went and plopped pancakes onto the gracious humans plates. Looking down at the last pancake in the pan, Renamon glanced sideways at Guilmon. Guilmon looked back. Renamon plopped the pancake into her mouth and Guilmon stomped his foot.

"You already had half the batch, Guilmon," Renamon stated, licking her chops.

" You didn't have to taunt me," the red Digimon whined. Takato and Rika chuckled while Tai gobbled his pancakes up.

" What day is it?" Takato inconspicuously asked. Rika shot him a look of praise.

" Sunday," Renamon replied.

" Say, Renamon, do you know what Henry is up to today?" Rika asked, twirling her fork.

" He's coming over," Guilmon said before Renamon could.

Takato and Rika choked on their pancakes. Tai reached over and pat them both on the back, all the while chewing his last bites of pancake. Gulping largely, Tai looked concerned while his parents turned red in the face. Gradually, though, their coughing died down and their faces returned to their normal color.

" Is theah something wong with Henwy?" The perceptive toddler asked.

" So different from many goggle-heads; perceptive," Rika smirked as Takato shot her a dirty look.

" No, there is nothing wrong with Henry," Takato addressed Tai. " It's just that we, forgot."

" But they called to wemind us last night," Tai said, and instantly turned red, his mouth clamping shut.

Noticing this, Rika leaned over and peered Tai right in the eyes. " Is that all they called for?"

" No," came the meek reply.

" And why would that be?" Takato asked, also leaning over to inspect Tai in the eyes.

" Maybe because of what happened with Sowa."

Rika and Takato shared an inquisitive look. To them, this was getting weirder than usual.

" What happened with Sora," Takato persisted.

" I kind fowgot to tell heah that I thwew up in heah hat befoah she put it on," Tai became very interested in his hands.

Renamon and Guilmon hovered over the family, expecting a scolding. They did not get it. Instead, Takato and Rika bawled with laughter, thoroughly bewildering the Digimon and Tai alike.

" Youah not upset?" Tai asked.

" It's just so…expected!" Takato snorted.

" I just realized something," Rika whispered to Takato. " My life has now turned into a cartoon."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^

Takato glanced down at his protruding belly. If I had known Guilmon could bake this well, I'd have had him bake his own bread! Takato forced himself up the stairs which Rika had ascended herself, moments earlier. Scratching his head, Takato started to ponder anew how they could have even gotten into this predicament, Tai and all. That's when he heard it. More like felt it.

Hearing Rika's earth-shattering scream, Takato tore up the stairs, hearing the rest of his 'family' following behind him, and he threw open the door to reveal…

" Rika! What's wrong!" Takato demanded, feeling very protective of his girlfriend who was sitting on the bed, seeming like she was going through cardiac arrest.

" In there…" a gasping Rika pointed a shaky finger to the closet.

Puffing out his chest, fully aware that Tai and the others were watching him, Takato stepped up to the door Rika was pointing too and pulled open the door. At first Takato didn't do anything. He just stared, unblinking, into the closet. Around that time, he realized that Rika had started screaming again. Peripheral vision told Takato that Renamon had clamped her paws over Rika's mouth and that Tai had engulfed Rika in a bear hug. That's when Takato started to laugh.

Shaking her head, clearing her mouth of Renamon's furry paws, Rika glared daggers at Takato. " What is so funny about this? I have had the scare of a lifetime and the only one who can support me in my time of trouble is Tai! Whatever happened to a thing called love? Where is it, Takato?" Rika fumed, the fire burning in her passionate eyes.

Renamon and Guilmon stared at each other wondering why their Tamers were acting so weird.

" I'm sorry Rika," Takato wheezed between fits of laughter. " I just thought there would be some psychotic murderer rampaging about the house, ready to kidnap you, or something like that. I really didn't think that I would have to defend you from the killer sundresses."

Sure enough, the door Takato opened up was the closet door, and it was littered, as Rika would call it, with several dresses, some casual like the sundress, and other, fancy ones. Takato raised an eyebrow as he spied several different tuxes also lining the wall. His relief was quite evident when he noticed casual clothes for the both of them. Grabbing both of them a pair of jeans and a couple of shirts, Takato sauntered back over to Rika, who seemed to be breathing normally once again.

" If I didn't have to set an example for Tai, I'd show you a thing or two," Rika muttered under her breath, clearly showing Takato that he will pay for his sarcastic wit.

" Sorry," Takato murmured back as Tai released his hold on Rika.

" Sowa will be heah weeel soon!" Tai exclaimed and ran down the hall, evidently to his room. Renamon and Guilmon shot a wary glance at their Tamers and made their exit.

After the door was shut, Rika took the opportunity to slap Takato across the arm, who winced in pain.

" What was that for?" He whined.

" For not being supportive in my time of dire need," Rika replied, flipping her hair. Picking up her clothes, Rika opened another door, this one to the bathroom, and shut it.

" These are called the joys of marriage?" Takato grumbled in disbelief.

Impatiently tapping his foot, Takato glared at the bathroom door. For goodness sakes; Rika's been in there for over a half-hour! What could possibly be taking her so long? (A/N: It is obvious Takato has not met the stereotypical female. Taking forever in the bathroom…it was supposed to be a joke…) Finally, unable to sit any longer, Takato got up off of the bed and started searching the room. They have got to be in here somewhere! Drawers were flung open, clothes strewn all over the place, and still no item for Takato. He grunted. Takato did not feel complete without his goggles, and seeing Tai all morning with his blue ones made Takato feel, less…Manly? Takato rolled his eyes at himself. Flinging open yet another drawer, Takato laughed in triumph for he had found his trademark goggles! Proud with himself, Takato slipped the shining goggles onto his head.

" One small step for man, another giant leap for Tamer kind!" Takato snickered at his little joke. Looking around the room, Takato sighed and started to clean up the mess he made.

************** Back in the world that Takato and Rika know ********************

Henry continued to pace around outside of Guilmon's shack. The Greymons, Guilmon, and Renamon to boot, had gone out searching for Takato and Rika, and none had yet returned. Terriermon perched atop his head, and Calumon bouncing by his feet did not help Henry's current state of mind: paranoia.

" Where could they be? They wouldn't have gone anywhere without letting us know!" Henry quickened his pace, a giggling Calumon hot on his heels.

" Momentai, Henry," Terriermon said from atop Henry's head. " They're probably off eloping somewhere." He abruptly took off as Henry's hand came whizzing down to slap him.

" I know someone couldn't have taken them somewhere," Henry furrowed his brow. " Rika would've pummeled them flat into the ground if they tried to. And from Guilmon's story, of the two of them flying into his shack and disappearing, none of my theories make sense!" Henry growled in frustration.

" Maybe they were sucked into a portal, mi amigo," Terriermon said, joining Calumon in following Henry.

" Maybe!" Henry cried. " Calumon, could you go and search for them, since you can travel anywhere?"

" Anytime, anywhere, any place!" Calumon giggled and flew off into the night sky.

" With any luck, he'll probably find his way to Tahiti and bring me back a coconut monkey head."

" Sure, Terriermon."

^^^^^^ Back to Takato and Rika, who still hasn't emerged from the bathroom ^^^^^^^^^

Takato started to bang on the bathroom door. " Rika Nonaka! If you do not open this door within the next five seconds I swear I'll break it down and go to the bathroom, regardless if you are in there or not!"

" Then I would have to hurt you," the muffled reply sounded. " Besides, I'd like to see you try," the arrogant voice said.

Takato balled his fists. He was boiling mad. He had to go to the bathroom. Now. " This is an emergency, Rika!" Takato started to whine. " I'll do anything!"

The door opened and Rika emerged, fully dressed, her hair up in its usual boisterous ponytail. " I hold you to that promise," Rika said as Takato rushed into the bathroom and relieved himself.

Rolling her eyes, Rika went and sat down on the bed. Several minutes later, Takato came out of the bathroom, fresh and clean with the different clothes on. Rika smirked and Takato eyed her warily.

Sighing, Takato sat down next to Rika. " What do you want me to do?"

" I want you to shave."

" Shave?" Takato skeptically repeated.

" That's right," Rika said and got up and stroked Takato's fuzzy face, causing him to blush. " Get it off."

" But I don't know how to shave! I've never had facial hair before!" Takato's blush dissipated as he started pacing the room.

" Takato, I shave my legs. It can't be that hard to shave your face, however large it may be," Rika dodged an incoming pillow. " Besides, haven't you and your dad had the 'talk'?"

" The talk?" Takato echoed.

" Yeah. Where you two manly men talk about shaving properly," Rika put her hands on her hips.

" I don't think we ever got around to it," Takato admitted.

" Oh my gosh."

" I think the supplies are in here," Takato talked over his shoulder as he pulled out the shaving cream and…" A razor! But that is sharp and dangerous!"

" Obviously, the Takato here is much more advanced than you," Rika kidded, leaning against the doorway, not wanting to miss this spectacle.

Takato glared at Rika who smiled sweetly in turn. Taking a deep breath, Takato picked up the shaving cream and gave it a good shake. Rika rolled her eyes.

" You don't need to shake it that much, Takato," Rika said.

" Er, right," Takato shakily smiled.

Opening the cap, Takato sprayed some cream onto his hand. Clearing his throat and looking into the mirror, Takato applied the cream to his fuzzy area. With a little work, I could look like Wolverine, Takato sighed as he finished laying on the cream. Picking up the razor, Takato took off the plastic covering. Glancing sideways, Takato growled as Rika turned red in the face, on the verge of bursting her side from laughing.

" It's just a little piece of metal. You've been up against worse. A lot worse," Takato assured himself as he guided his shaking hand to the facial area about to be shaved.

Takato gingerly put the razor to his face, feeling the cool steel through the cream. Tilting the razor a little bit, Takato pushed down on the razor, being extra careful not to rake it down his face. He smiled with glee as he did not cut himself.

" Bravo, goggles," Rika sarcastically clapped. " But you still have to do the rest of your face."

" I'll take my victories when and where I can, thank you very much," Takato airily replied.

" Considering that they are the few, not many," Rika retorted as she raised an eyebrow.

" The nerve!" Takato sputtered and shook the shaving can again, putting some into his hand.

" What are you doing?" Rika asked as she slowly backed away from the bathroom.

" I think your face needs a shave, regardless if it has hair on it or not," Takato snickered, menacingly advancing on Rika.

Rika's eyes widened, and she bolted out of the room. Takato smirked. He went back into the bathroom, meticulously shaving the rest of his face.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That afternoon ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Rika sat in a comfy recliner, the exact opposite of what she was feeling. Nervously wringing her hands, Rika thought about what she was going to say to Henry when he and his family arrived. Hi, Henry. I just wanted to let you know that I'm not the Rika you know. Do you by any chance have any idea as of how we can get back to our own time? Or quite possibly why my future self has given birth and had the insane idea of marrying?? Rika stopped a second as Takato entered the room, his goggles proudly atop his head.

" Do you have some kind of emotional bondage with your goggles or what?" Rika smiled as Takato pouted at her.

" Yes, in fact, I do," Takato thrust his chin up and sat down in a chair opposite Rika.

" Hey, Takato, I think I may know what happened," Rika said.

" When did you have time to think that up? Was it during the time you spent in the bathroom?"

" No, in fact, it was during the time you were in the bathroom. Anyway, I think that we're in the future."

Takato's mouth hung open. " You don't say," he sarcastically replied.

" I do. Remember when Guilmon ran into us, thrusting us into the shed? I think that a time portal opened in the shed, allowing us to pass into this time. The only question is, how do we get back to our own time? We didn't land in Guilmon's shed; we landed in a bed," for a second Rika and Takato's faces turned a pinkish hue. " I suppose we might be able to get back to our time in Guilmon's shed, if we can find it."

" What do you mean 'if we can find it'?"

" In this time Guilmon's shed may not be here," Rika closed her eyes. " I just realized something."

" What?"

" I'm starting to sound a lot like Henry."

Takato furrowed his brows. " Odd. You think I would start sounding more like him because I've been around him longer."

" Obviously even Henry can't change your scientific knowledge."

Takato sighed. What was my future self thinking? Marrying Rika? Takato decided to overturn that question since he could name quite a few reasons why he would marry Rika, too.

Tai ran into the room at full blast, leaping onto Takato's lap, who grunted in pain.

" Sowwy, Taka-daddy," Tai apologized with round eyes. " Sowa and Matt ah heah!" His face broke into a wide happy grin and leapt off of Takato and ran out of the room. A couple seconds later, the adults heard Tai's frenzied footsteps again and Tai came back onto the room and onto Rika's lap, engulfing her in a hug, too, before racing off to the door to greet his friends.

Rika couldn't help smiling. Only after a few seconds did she become fully aware of what she was doing and quickly turned to Takato who looked like he was about to burst a lung. Rika sighed.

" I hate myself. How did I become such a girl!?" She wailed.

" I think you can answer that better than I could," a familiar male voice sounded from the side. Rika and Takato smiled as Henry and Jeri stepped into the room, sitting down on the couch.

" Henry! How's it going?" Takato merrily broke into conversation.

" Good," Henry replied, Jeri smiling also.

Rika studied the pair with precise scrutiny. It seemed Henry had stayed quite the same, filling out a little more, although not getting too big. Jeri looked as she always did; a cheerful girl with a bright personality. Rika shuddered as she remembered that Jeri liked to wear dresses.

" Henry, could we speak to you alone for a few moments?" Rika politely asked.

Raising an eyebrow, Henry slowly nodded as Jeri got up.

" Tewwiewmon! Get back here!" A tiny feminine voice squeaked. The four friends looked over to their right.

Terriermon the bunny like Digimon was running full out down the hall, his enormous ears flailing behind him. Hot on his heels were three familiar looking toddlers. A huge sweatdrop appeared on both Takato and Rika's faces as they immediately sighed. In the lead for the chase was Tai, blue goggles glinting in reflected sunlight. Behind him was a little girl with shoulder length red-brown hair and amber eyes bearing a striking resemblance to Sora Takenuchi from the TV show. The uncanny blue hat was on her little head, the two blue strands flying out on the side. Next, a little boy with sparkling blue eyes followed. His blond hair was strewn all over. There was not mistaking it. He was the exact replica of Matt Ishida. Finally, bringing up the rear was Guilmon and Renamon, catching falling items and trying to make sure the kids weren't hurt.

Smiling in that serene way she has, Jeri waved her hand and walked after the insane children. Sighing, the Tamers sat down, amazed at the incessant energy of the children.

" So, Henry," Takato began. " We have a problem."

" What kind of a problem?"

Rika shifted her weight. " Well, we're not the Rika and Takato you know. We're kind of from the past."

Takato and Rika leapt up as Henry fell to the ground with a thud.

********************** Our Eskimo-kissing Rookie **************************

Calumon clapped his tiny claws together in glee as he flew in the bright blue sky. A red balloon flew into his face and he stayed for a few moments up there, batting it in fascination. Shaking his head, he remembered that he was here searching for Rika. After Henry had asked him to look, Calumon searched the city with no luck. Returning to the shack, Calumon found a glowing light and plunged into it. Here he was. It seemed like the same place he left, but when he soared down to look at the paper, Calumon realized something wasn't right. He was ten years into the future. He would have a busy day trying to find Rika and Takato, that's for sure.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Back to the collapsed Jenrya. Henry. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

" You all right?" Takato inquired, helping Henry back onto a sitting position on the couch. Thoroughly shaking his head, Henry said that he was. Sitting back down, Takato noticed Henry was staring at them. Naturally, this infuriated Rika to no end.

" I want to get back, genius! I feel asleep, a teenager who just returned from being kidnapped, and what do I get when I wake up? Goggle-head sleeping next to me in bed, a toddler who thinks I am his mom, and, to top it all off, I own dresses! Dresses! I don't know about you, but I think this is just peachy!" Rika's chest heaved as she struggled to contain her sarcasm. Henry stared at her and started laughing. Rika's pupils contracted. " Would you mind telling me what is so funny?"

" Sure!" Henry guffawed a bit, but stopped when Rika gave him a cold glare. " You see, Rika, in this 'time', you and Takato are married and have Tai."

" You don't say," Takato and Rika rolled their eyes.

" Uhm," Henry blinked. " You really aren't from this time, are you?"

" That's what we've been trying to tell you!" Takato bellowed, surprising the other inhabitants of the room. " Sorry," he sheepishly grinned.

" Well that certainly complicates things," Henry scratched his head after the duo told them their predicament, how they got there. " I probably could hook up my D-Arc to the computer and have it do a scan of the area, to try and find a possible portal. But it might take some time to write the program and initiate it."

" Then what are you waiting for?" Takato asked. " Go and do it!"

" I can't. The only computer that's capable of doing that is at work."

" And today is Sunday, so you don't have work," Rika sighed.

" Hey, what do you do anyway?" Takato asked.

" I am the head of the Computer Corporation that my dad owned," Henry said. " We joined with Hypnos a while ago and so our business is booming." He eyed his friends. " I'd better tell you what your jobs are."

" Why? Can't we take a sick day?" Rika questioned.

" In the case of both of you, no," Henry sighed.

" What do you mean? Our jobs can't be that important that we can't take a sick day!" Takato complained.

" Oh yes, they are," Henry replied.

" So what do I do?" Takato inquired.

" You are the head of a drawing corporation and you draw your own strip called 'Mitsushi Amachi' which is featured in Kodansha. You do your work on the computer and surprise surprise. You have a strip due at the end of the day tomorrow. Another thing; you have to do it on the computer."

Takato stared off into space dreamily. " Me, an artist…! I like my job!" He beamed happily.

" Tell me genius, what am I? If I'm in some kind of modeling gig, I swear I'll blow all over you," Rika's eyes narrowed at Henry.

" You're not. You're a homicide police officer," Henry ducked as Rika threw a pillow at him.

" A police officer? Homicide? That's almost as bad as a model! I can't believe I investigate dead people! For some odd reason feel like Mulder and Scully. I also have a sudden urge for a doughnut and coffee," Rika put her head in her hands. " I hate my job!"

Henry sighed as Takato put a comforting hand on Rika's shoulder. " Takato, Rika, I'll pick the two of you up tomorrow morning to drop you off at work around eight. I'll also pick you up at a quarter to six." Henry heaved himself up from the couch. " I probably should get home to go and think about how to get you guys home."

Takato pulled the distressed Rika up from her chair and stood next to Henry. " I hope you can figure it out; we don't want to be stuck here for that long," he said in a low whisper, afraid that someone might be listening.

" You got it. Sora, Matt, Jeri; its time to go!" Henry beckoned to his family.

The three toddlers entered the room followed by Renamon and Guilmon who was holding a weary looking Terriermon.

" We should get going," Henry said and he, Jeri, and the Digimon plugged their ears.

" Why are you doing that?" Takato asked.

His question was answered when the three kids started bawling at the top of their lungs.

" Why does Sowa and Matt have to leave?"
" Why can't we stay?"

" Why can't we stay longah?"

Renamon, Terriermon, and Guilmon put their hands, or claws, over the children's mouths, abruptly stopping the crying. Tears flowed down their faces as Henry kneeled in front of them.

" You'll see each other at school tomorrow," he cheerfully said. " And if you're really good, maybe you guys can sleep over together this weekend!"

The kids jovially nodded, their tears dissipating. The Digimon let go of the children who followed Henry and Jeri out the door. Takato and Rika stood in amazement at what happened.

" Wow, " Takato breathed. Rika could only nod, her disappointment in her career vanishing for the time being.

Tai came running in, throwing his little arms against Rika's legs. Rika sighed while Takato let out a small snicker.

" Sowa and I ah getting mawwied!" Tai announced. Rika's leg tensed.

" You are most certainly not!" Takato sternly said.

" Why?" Chocolate orbs questioned Takato.

" Well," Takato started to break under the pressure.

" You can marry her later, Tai," Rika smiled and Tai grinned back and ran upstairs.

" He can't marry Sora!" He protested.

" Too bad," Rika said and ended the discussion by going upstairs herself.

Sighing, Takato made his way to the stairs, also.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Later that night ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Takato opened the door of the bathroom, stepping into the bedroom with his red pajamas comfortably resting on him. Perplexed, Takato wondered where Rika could be. The book she was reading was lying strewn on the bed. Getting slightly nervous, Takato went through the open door and down the hall to where a golden beam of light escaped through the crack of a door.

Stepping inside and immediately backing out, Takato smiled widely. Rika was sitting on the bed with Tai, his blue goggles on the chair, reading a book to him. Every once in a while Rika would get very quiet and burst into a loud voice. Gasping and giggling at the right times, Tai watched Rika's every move in fascination. After Rika finished her story, she tucked Tai under the covers and was about to leave when Tai asked her back. Returning to his side, Rika bent down and gave him a kiss goodnight. Takato grinned and quietly stole back to the bedroom.

Rika quietly shut the door after she entered the room. She turned around and saw Takato loopily grinning, sitting on the bed. She gave him a stern look.

" Off the bed," she commanded. Takato looked back at her.

" Why?"

" Think, goggle-head," Rika rummaged in the closet, the darkness obscuring her blush.

A few moments passed before Takato caught on. " Oh! I'll go, uh, sleep downstairs?" He suggested.

" Good idea, " Rika said and tossed him a big blanket.

Takato grabbed the blanket and his pillow and headed for the door. " Good night Rika."

" Night, Takato," Rika said and went down onto the bed while Takato left the room.

Quietly so as not to disturb the other residents, Takato tip-toed down the stairs and into the living room. Throwing the blanket over the couch, Takato was just about to drift off into sleep when an open cupboard attracted his attention. Getting up, Takato went and opened the cabinet, peering in at its contents.

Lifting out a tape, Takato raised an eyebrow. " Proposal," he muttered. Rika and I have to watch this, Takato mentally laughed. He just wondered what his proposal would be like. Probably something like, Rika, I will go and live in the Digiworld forever if you don't marry me. Then, you'll be so depressed you'll go into the modeling business and get anorexic and put on make-up every day and wear dresses all the time. Takato rolled his eyes at himself.

" Taka-daddy?"

" Hwuagh!" Takato fell onto his back, scared out of his wits by Tai.

" You in the dog-house again?" Tai put his hands on his hips.

" Huh?" Takato stared blankly at him. " Oh, no…"

" Don't wowwy, Taka-daddy! I'll get you back in the bed!" Tai grinned and grabbed Takato's hands, bringing him, the blanket, and pillow up the stairs and to Rika's room.

Discreetly creeping past the Digimon's room, Tai and Takato sneaked back to the master bedroom, knocking softly on the door. Hearing no answer, Tai opened the door.

" If that's you Takato, begging to come back into the bed, you can just turn around right now," Rika sighed, and looked up, surprised to see the two goggle-heads at her door, although they weren't wearing their goggles.

" Wika-mommy, Taka-daddy was cold. And I'm scawed!" Tai poured on the sympathy run, fake tears streaming down his face as he crawled into bed, snuggling in Rika's arms. A bewildered Rika looked down. " Pwease Wika-mommy! Let me sweep wif you and Taka-daddy! I had a dweam about scawy monstews! Pwetty pwease?" Tai laid on the puppy dog eyes, elaborating his toddler speech. Takato grinned inwardly.

" Fine," an exasperated Rika replied, scooting over to make room for both of the boys.

After they had all gotten comfortable, Takato put his arm around Rika and Tai cuddled between the two of them. Moments later, the little boy was fast asleep. Rika sighed and softly stroked his hair.

" How is it possible that someone like me can love another so much?" Rika pondered out loud.

" I guess everyone has the capability of love," Takato murmured and planted a kiss on Rika's forehead.

" I'm becoming too maternal, too lovey-dovey," Rika snorted softly. " I think the pigs are flying."

" Actually they've been at it for quite some time. Now they're into their croquet game," Takato laughed as Rika landed a soft slap on his head.

" Stupid goggle-head," Rika said and drifted off into sleep.

" Stupid Digimon Queen," Takato retorted and went off into dreamland…

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That was longer than I expected! ^_____^ I hope you had a fun time with this chapter! See yas later and flames are evil! Reviews are appreciated!

~Flamegaruru~

J