The clock struck twelve. October twenty-third, 2020 had rolled around at last. In the lowest sub-level under the LaDeuxieme mansion, every free scientist, doctor, psychologist, agent, spy, and student connected in any way to Project D.O.Z.E. were gathered in a large empty hall. Before them, the cryogenic machine whistled and twirled. Donald Ramsey, Jordan Bradley, and Emily Arthur stood next to it, towels and robes at the ready. With one final whistle, the machine opened in a cloud of frigid vapor. Out of the smoke, a voice called out "Honey, I'm home!"

The boy strode out of the translucent gas surrounding him, naked but exuding the utmost confidence. Donald, Jordan and Emily were immediately beside him, toweling off small fragments of cryogenic frost and wrapping a warm bathrobe about him.

"Where is she? Where's my beautiful girl?" No reply came. "Yo, Donald, hey is that really you? Man, you got bald. Anyways, where's You-Know-Who?"

"She's escaped, Mr. Roberts." Donald Ramsey's usual gruff demeanor was completely replaced by a tone of sheepish regret.

A brief look of concern flashed over Andrew Robert's face, only to be wiped away by a sly smile. "Where did she go?"

"We don't know yet, she disappeared last month."

"Excellent."

"Sir?"

"Now I guess I'll just have to hunt her down. I always thought just coming out and taking her away was somewhat unromantic. But now, an element of danger and surprise! Hunting my bride-to-be across the country? That's romantic! Now I'll actually earn something! Cool," Andrew slid his arms across the shoulders of Jordan and Emily, looking in to their very relieved faces. "But first, I could kill for a steak. It's like I haven't eaten anything in eighteen years!" Andrew chuckled at his own joke, the assembled crowd joining along.

"Yes, first a steak, then I'll start the search for Zoe. Meanwhile, you three," he nodded to Emily, Jordan and Donald, "Are going to fill me in on everything about Zoe. This is going to be sweet!"

The End