Hospital in New Jersey, Monday

As Billy's mom left the room, a nurse came in to check on him. When he realized who it was, he burst into laughter. The wig, the contacts, the outfit.

"You really are a master of disguise." he said to her.

"How else was I going to get in to see you?" The Baroness asked. Her own smirk died when she looked at the bandages on his chest. "William why?"

"I know, I should have shot him first." he grumbled.

"I was going to say why would you put yourself in such a situation in the first place? What happened to staying out of it?"

"Tommy needed help." he said simply.

She sighed. "William this noble streak of yours is only getting you into trouble. You could have simply told Snake-Eyes where to go."

He didn't answer. He knew she was right. Instead, he changed the subject. "Our daughter's on the way."

"What?"

"Serpentor's returned. He got my blood to make our daughter."

She was shocked. Despite what Billy had told her, she hadn't really believed such a future would come to pass. "I-I shall have to find the lab then." she said finally. "In the meantime, do try to be more careful. And do what the doctors tell you. If you get yourself killed by straining yourself too soon, I'll be very cross."

He smiled, though there was some bitterness there. "Yeah okay."

She tsked again, and turned to leave. "James sends his best." she said, and she was gone.

[Billy would love some phone calls!]