[For Ellie]

[awesome_captain]

Devon always tried to look at things in the best light possible, search out a silver lining to keep himself from getting too down. There wasn't much to be unhappy about now, anyway, especially with barely over a month to go until the baby was born. It was easier to believe things were always going to be good, no matter what was going on

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[the_support]

Ellie had heard Devon come in, and she finished up folding the clothes she had in front of her. She'd just been about to head over to peek her head out to say hello when Devon popped in instead.

"A what?" she repeated as confusion crossed her face, her gaze falling on the familiar robot dog in front of Devon. "You mean Ric? Bridge is giving him to us?"

[awesome_captain]

Devon remembered the little freak out Ellie had not too long ago, and while he'd thought he understood it then, he realized he hadn't. Not really. "He, uh...he came home with me. Bridge's gone."

[the_support]

Ellie didn't need to ask what he meant by that, or if he was sure. And while Ellie had liked Bridge, she knew he had a much closer relationship with him. There was never anything right to do with these things, so she crossed the room toward him.

"Oh, Devon," she murmured, wrapping her arms around him to pull him into the best sort of hug she could give in her current condition. "I'm so sorry."

[awesome_captain]

Devon pulled Ellie as close as he could, reminding himself that he had the same chance of losing her and their kid here as he did back home. Worrying wasn't going to do him any good at all.

"I'm good," he murmured, and brushed a kiss across her forehead. "I'll be fine."

[the_support]

Ellie knew he was trying to put a brave face on. It wasn't death but it was like it, especially since everyone was from different times. She pulled away enough to gently brush his cheek with her fingertips.

"Whatever you need, you know I'm here," she promised. It wasn't something that needed to be said, but she thought it would be good to bring up anyway. "We'll take good care of Ric for him."

The idea of saying they couldn't keep him was about the last thing she'd ever have in mind.

[awesome_captain]

"I just need you right here, that's all," Devon said, and he meant it. Whatever happened, as long as he had Ellie, he knew they'd be okay. The pair of them, and soon the three of them.

"I honestly didn't think I'd start the year out with a new pet robot," he said, looking down at Ric again. "...you think Chuck'll do tech support?"

[the_support]

"I'm not going anywhere," she promised, much as she knew it wasn't something she could ever promise for sure. Still, it felt like if maybe she said it enough, it'd be true.

"It's possible. We'll have to ask him," she said, leaning down to pet Ric's head. He made a sad whining-like noise, and it broke Ellie's heart a little. She remembered Bridge had told her he could understand human speak, so she didn't doubt he understood what was going on. "We're going to take good care of you, okay? I promise."

[awesome_captain]

"No doubt about that," Devon agreed, crouching down to get a good look at Ric. There was a part of Devon that felt strange talking to Ric just like he was a real dog, but having known him as long as he'd known Bridge made it somewhat easier. "You're family now, buddy."

[the_support]

In a way, Ellie thought it might be good they were the one to have him. If anyone could take care of him if anything went wrong, it'd be her brother.

"Do...we need to get him a bed of some kind?" she wondered. Did robotic dogs even care about that? She wanted to do this right, like she'd do for any other pet they may have ever gotten. "I mean, I don't think he eats, but -"

[awesome_captain]

"I think he'll tell us," Devon answered hopefully, knowing Ric didn't exactly talk, but he had his own way of communicating. Or maybe Bridge had been the only one to really understand, but Devon new they were going to have to make an effort now, though Ric didn't seem to be in the mood to do anything. He looked pretty damn sad for a robot.

[the_support]

Asking him actually sounded like a good idea. It might've sounded a little weird if it were a normal pet, but from what she knew about him, it just might work.

"How about it, Ric? We'll put a bed together for you and put it anywhere you want. Would you like one in here with us?" she offered, leaning down to have a little more eye contact with him. The robot barked once, and while it definitely seemed like a yes, it wasn't too enthusiastic.

"I'll put one together for him today. I'm sure I can make one out of blankets I can get from the Compound," she offered, looking up at Devon as she spoke. "It'll be good for him to be able to sleep in a room with people, I think."

She knew being with people helped when she had to deal with any kind of disappearance and was how she was planning on helping Devon. She liked to think maybe it'd help Ric, too.

[awesome_captain]

"It will," Devon agreed. He knew he wouldn't want to have to cope with anything on his own, and her doing it highlighted just about everything good about Ellie he loved. "I love you, babe."