hacked title number 6

"Yeah they do," Lex agreed, ruffling his hair.  "Now go eat cake.  You earned it.  Then tell me what's been going on outside of this tiny little room."

Geena stared in shock.  "That's... He could have outright killed Lex just from the placement!  That's insane!  Can you take it out after it's been in there for so long?  Is there an antidote for it?"

Paul nodded and grabbed a slice of cake before just chattering to Lex. He smiled and just seemed like a happy go lucky first grader.

"I believe I can remove it, as long as Lex is properly sedated, which is always a challenge." Gaster said confidently. "It should be removed, to at least attempt to halt the progression, but I can also use the serum still in the pump to reverse engineer a cure."

Lex munched his cake, listening calmly, sometimes asking a question of him or Sam.  It was nice to just be with the munchkins.

"Then first you rest, and then you go to war," Geena said firmly.  "You can't do anything half asleep."

The munchkins just seemed happy to spend time with Lex, talking avidly with him. Ashton was still worried, but Layla just softly smiled.

Gaster frowned. "But every moment I delay, Lex is getting poisoned more and more!" He protested.

Lex began growing tired, but he didn't want this moment to end.  He didn't want them to leave.  In this moment, all was well.

Geena put a hand on his cheek.  "William, if you try to take it out without rest, you could do more damage.  It is in a dangerous spot.  Close your eyes and rest.  The party is still going on, anyway.  I will wake you in one hour to perform the surgery.  Deal?"

Layla sighed slightly and took Lex's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Paul giggled when he noticed.

Gaster hesitated, but gave in. "All right. Let them party, but wake me as soon as something goes wrong." He pulled a blanket from under the couch and laid on top of it, something that appears he has done before.

"What are you laughing at, you little pest?" Lex grumbled at Paul.

Geena sat at the foot of the couch and gently tucked him in.  "Rest," she said softly.  "I'm going to get you something to eat and have it waiting when you wake up.  I won't go far."

Paul just giggled and grinned like an angel. "Nothing..."

Gaster nodded. "Thank you, Geena." He murmured before easily falling asleep. He was more tired than he had let on initially.

Lex frowned and reached up to poke Paul in the nose.  "Whenever you smile like that, it means something, kiddo."

Geena made sure he was asleep before going and getting a sandwich from the cafeteria and putting it near Gaster.  Then she went to Lex's room to see how they were doing.

Paul just giggled. "You and Layla are holding hands. Does that mean you're going to get married like Kat and True?"

"WHAT?!" True and Lex explained simultaneously.  They started stammering, talking over each other as they tried to explain.  Lex looked somewhat annoyed and embarrassed, and True was bright red.

Kat laughed a little after a moment, and Paul couldn't stop giggling. Layla's face got bright red, and she quietly took her hand out of Lex's.

"Now, boys, that's enough.  There's no need to tease," Geena said smoothly as she stepped in.  "Paul, I came to ask you a question."

Paul smiled brightly at her. "Hi Miss Geena!" He said happily. "We're throwing a party for Lex."

"So I see," Geena smiled in amusement, trying not to laugh at the redheads' indignant faces.  "I was wondering if I might take your father a piece of cake before it gets eaten up?"

Paul smiled. "It's Lex's cake, so you have to ask him." Paul said confidently.

Layla looked up at the woman, curious. She hadn't seen or met Geena before, but this family seemed to know her, and she seemed to at least care some about the Doctor.

"Sure, go for it," Lex said, waving his hand.
True smiled and stepped in.  "Layla, this is Geena.  She is our father's receptionist and make sure he occasionally eats something while here at the lab.  Geena, this is Layla.  She's a friend of Lex'."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Layla," Geena said, offering Layla a handshake.

Layla smiled and shook Geena's hand. "Pleasure to meet you too." She greeted in a friendly tone before sitting back down next to Lex.

"I'm going to get the cake back to the Doctor," Geena said.  "True?  Ashton?  May I speak with you two a moment, please?"  She picked up a slice and walked out into the hall.
Puzzled, True followed.

Ashton furrowed his brow, but followed as well. he had been fidgety ever since he woke up, but Lex's room wasn't all that bad anymore. It didn't seem as much like a lab in there.

Geena just took them far enough where the others wouldn't hear before facing them.  "Lex needs a surgery," she said bluntly.  "The Doctor shall be performing it as soon as he is ready.  It will be dangerous, but not doing it will kill him, and the Doctor is positive he can do it.  He will have to remain here a little longer afterward under observation, but then, in time, all shall return to normal."
True nodded slowly.  "I understand.  Ashton and I can take turns being here and looking after the kids.  Right, Ashton?"

Ashton sighed and set his jaw. "I promised Lex that if he had to come here, I would see through it with him. Sorry, but I intend on keeping my word." He thought for a moment. "Maybe Layla and Kat could switch with you? The shortstacks all seem to like and listen to them."

True nodded.  "It's a deal."
"Don't say anything to Lex yet.  The Doctor hasn't had a chance to talk to him," Geena warned.  "I wanted you two to know because you are the ones holding the responsibility."

Ashton nodded. "Understood. Let the Doctor tell him when he's up."

"Thank you, Ashton," Geena said, touching his shoulder.