The trio stared silently at each other for a moment. There was too much to say, just to say it. Though, at least in Herbert's case he could barely speak any human languages.

Finally, Scott broke the silence. "So, how? I mean, wasn't she already sort of pregnant?"

Rhea sighed a little then said, "Seems it's my fault mostly, partially my mother's, and the rest is your mountain goat type tendencies."

"I do enjoy standing on the side of mountains and bleating things," said Scott with a nod of his head. "What's that got to do with anything, though?"

She snorted at him. "Goof. You knew what I meant!"

"Baaaa?" asked Scott in a curious tone.

Rhea smacked him on the hand then laughed despite her desire to curtail his attempts at lightening the moment. This was serious family business. "Stop it, you weirdo. You know exactly what I meant!"

Scott unleashed an elaborate sigh of his own then nodded. "Can you blame me, though? I have such wonderful women in my life... Any man would polymorph into a mountain goat."

"Mhmm," said Rhea playfully. "Well, now you get to be a daddy goat."

"That's wonderful. It really is," said Scott a smile coming to his lips. "I know it's weird to ask this considering it's a pregnancy, but... does Ero know?"

"I'm not certain if she does, yet. We need to go see her," said Rhea. Briefly, a sly grin crossed her lips.

"We could have just met you there, since you logged out there..." said Scott suspiciously.

Herbert raised his paws and moved them like he was turning a steering wheel. Scott nodded to his rodent brother. "I agree."

Rhea leveled a devastating pout in Scott's direction. "Just what are you two implying?"

"Implying?" Scott asked her lightly, "Nothing at all. Anyway, let's go get the family car and I can drive us out to Fairywood."

Rhea made a displeased grumbling noise. Scott looked her gently in the eyes and said, "Hmm? Is something wrong, love of my life?"

Her eyes closed halfway and she lowered her head. "No..."

Scott glanced to Herbert. He glanced back at him. Both nodded their heads at once. The horror to come, they would overcome it together as a family.

"Would you like to drive, Rh—?" asked Scott only to have his personal goddess leap up from her seat and cry out, "Wahoo!"

Scott laughed at her antics, even as an angry seeming waitress began to make her way over to their table. "When you're done with your Shara impersonation, we should pay up and get out of here."

Rhea giggled at him then grabbed her orange juice and took a victorious suck upon it. Victory, it tasted good.

It did not take long for the trio to make their way to the family death buggy. The lightly armored vehicle greeted them silently, as though it knew that a terrifying fate would soon be upon it.

Rhea hopped into the driver's seat then use the mirror to fix her hair. Scott glanced at her then over to Herbert. Man and rodent nodded in unison, then immediately fastened their safety harnesses.

"Are those really necessary?" asked Rhea with a slight pout.

"Yes," said Scott while Herbert chittered lightly at the same time. The safety precautions were absolutely vital!

"Rude," said Rhea lightly. She started the engine and pulled the vehicle out of its parking space.

Scott gripped the door frame hard and expected the worst. Herbert clutched at his tiny little harness and gritted his teeth. While he did not go driving that much on his trip back with them to Earth, he definitely remembered the small bit of her driving that he'd experienced. It would scare the hair off the top of someone's head even as it made hair grow on their chest!

Rhea grinned broadly then twisted her hands on the steering wheel. "Well then boys, shall we begin."

"Is it too late to take a train?" asked Scott curiously.

"Indeed," said Rhea before she laughed merrily and set off down the road.

Scott clutched at the door frame and eyed the nearby people on the street. At least in Valkovia proper she would probably behave. The streets were somewhat narrow and the enforcers were everywhere. However, the longer it took to get out of the city the more he grew concerned about the journey ahead. He did not have infinite respawn on ARS!

The elf maiden giggle lightly now and then as her gaze turned toward Scott and Herbert. The terrified looks on their faces were quite adorable.

Scott began to mumble something after a few minutes passed, even though she did not begin to drive like a maniac. Rhea spoke up, "Now what's all that about?"

"Nothing..." said Scott, "Just reminding myself that I needed to learn to fly at some point.

Rhea laughed at him once more then turned off down a side street. It was not long before she reached Main Street.

The elf girl's sweet giggle returned as they neared the city gates. She soon offered Scott a feral grin then winked at him. "The time is at hand!"

"No, it really isn't!" exclaimed Scott. Herbert chittered his emphatic agreement.

The death buggy cleared the city gates, and not a moment passed before Rhea put pedal to the metal. The buggy took off at high speed and continued to accelerate for several seconds.

"This is how it all ends!" shrieked Scott in a high-pitched tone. "I wanted to be a father, you know!"

Herbert pressed himself downward like he wanted to curl into a ball. He chittered rapidly and tried not to look at the road ahead.

The shrieking continued for a short time, but soon it seemed rather superfluous. Surprisingly, for the two male members of the car crew at least, the speed of the vehicle leveled out. They did not swerve dangerously or pass any of the slower vehicles on the road. In fact, Rhea kept pace expertly and made good time.

Several minutes passed before she spoke up. "So, does someone owe someone an apology?"

"It's fine. I forgive you," said Scott lightly.

Rhea stuck out her tongue and made a rude noise. *Pbbt!* "Come on, admit that I'm a good driver!"

Scott looked to his right and refused to speak. Rhea pursed her lips then snorted. "Come on, admit it..."

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Scott in a vapid tone. "Wow, look at the pretty scenery."

Annoyed by his antics, Rhea immediately swerved left and right. Scott quickly cried out, "You're the best driver ever! Please don't kill us, all!"

Herbert rolled his eyes, but the elf girl merely nodded her head then offered a smug smile. This victory too, was sweet.