GOMEN FOR THE LONG UPDATE! But now it's here so read and enjoy!

We're back in the hosptial with Netto and, as always, I DO NOT OWN ROCKMAN!

Chapter 17: Ueda's Suspicion

Netto glanced at Rockman as Dr. Ueda left the room.

"Rockman? Is it just me or does Ueda-san keep looking at you?"

Rockman let out a sigh. "Oh good: it's not just me."

Netto cocked a small grin at the reply. "Have any idea why?"

Rockman shook his head: "No, none at all."

Netto frowned and turned his focus to the ceiling. "I like Ueda-san and all, but it's kinda creepy…"

Rockman nodded.

"I wonder how many dots are on this ceiling…" Netto mused.

"Bored, are we?" Rockman chuckled.

"…19, 20, 21…"

Rockman just laughed and turned back to some of the various screens in the PET that monitored Netto's health. Everything looked good and Rockman turned back to his unbelievably bored net-op. He couldn't help but chuckle again as he watched Netto seemingly stare into the space above him with the only movement being the slight quiver of his lips as he counted.

He was nearing the 110's when Netto's friends walked into the room.

"The heck are you doing, Netto?" Dekao asked.

"Counting…117, 118, 119…" Netto answered without removing his gaze from the ceiling.

"Are we that bored?" Dingo teased.

Netto chuckled as he finally turned to look at his friends. "Rockman asked the same thing. And, yes."

Everyone except Enzan gave a slight laugh and even though Enzan did not chuckle, he did give a small smile and a shake of the head.

"Well, hopefully we can entertain you," Meiru said.

Netto gave a broad grin. "You already are. So how are you guys?"

They all answered at the same time with a "Fine", "Good", "Okay", or some answer along those lines.

"Though we'd be better if you'd hurry up and get better," Dingo joked.

Netto gave another smile. "I'll see what I can do about that".

"Netto."

The tone in Enzan's voice caught Netto off-guard: he had known Enzan long enough to know that when he used that tone he meant business. But what could possibly be wrong?

"We just talked with Ueda-isha," Enzan began. Netto noticed everyone suddenly become uncomfortable.

"Yeah?" Netto asked slowly.

"He asked us something strange. About Rockman," Enzan said.

"About…Rockman?" Netto asked startled, the tense atmosphere now clearly evident. Netto looked at his navi and then back to Enzan. He felt uneasy: maybe it had been how the doctor had been looking at Rockman all day or maybe it was Rockman's own nervousness that they shared through the link. There was no telling for sure, but the uncertainty was nevertheless there. "What…about him?" Netto asked.

"He asked if Rockman was…more human than most navis," Enzan stated.

"More…human!" Netto asked stunned. Rockman lost a bit of color and a flash of realization was sent unintentionally through the link.

"Why the heck would he think that?" Netto laughed to shake the shock off.

"That's what we wanted to ask you," Enzan said.

Netto shrugged. "How should I know? But that does explain why he keeps glancing at Rockman."

"Okay. Then never mind," Enzan said, but not before glancing at Rockman. Thankfully Rockman had recovered just enough to gain enough color that the Net Saver did not note anything out of the ordinary. But only just.

Netto waved as his friends left and then let out a sigh.

"Ueda-san thinks you're more human than other navis?" Netto mused quietly.

"Netto-kun," Rockman called just as quietly.

"Yeah, Rock?" Netto returned as he looked at his brother.

"It crossed my mind earlier but now I know for sure: Dr. Ueda treated me too," Rockman whispered.

Netto looked slightly stunned. "So…do you think….?" Netto began.

Rockman shook his head. "I have no idea, but...what...what if Papa...mentioned something back then?"

"What about me?"

Netto and Rockman in surprise. "Papa! Mama!"

Haruka went over and hugged her son. "How are you today, Netto?"

"Fine. But Papa," Netto said as he was released from his mother's embrace. "Do you know a Dr. Ueda?"

A look of realization crossed the scientists face. "Ueda Hiro? Yeah. Why?"

"He treated me, right?" Rockman asked.

"Yes…" Yuuichiro answered slowly, not fully grasping where his sons were going.

"He…Ueda-san is treating Netto-kun, but…" Rockman's voice trailed off.

"Really?" Yuuichiro asked, but then, looking at the forlorn looks on both faces, he asked: "What's wrong."

"Did you ever suggest anything about Saito and Rockman?" Netto finally asked since his navi seemed too troubled to get the question out.

The father looked surprised. "I…I…maybe I did. Yeah, I think I mentioned something at the time…but…does he know?"

Netto shook his head. "I don't know but he's been looking at Rockman weird all day and then he asked Enzan, Meiru, and the others if they knew if Rockman was more human than other navis."

Yuuichiro looked troubled. "He…might know." The man was quiet for a moment then smiled. "Don't worry, boys. I'll clear it all up."

The two smiled thankfully. "Thanks, Papa," Rockman vocalized.

"Dr. Ueda!"

The doctor turned around to face the one who addressed him. At first he did not recognize the man or the woman with him.

"Yes. How may I help you?" Ueda asked.

"The experiment did not work," Yuuichiro said.

"Experiment? What…" At that moment Ueda spotted the symbol on his jacket and he realized to whom he was now speaking. "Oh, that one." He gave the scientist a kind smile. "It's been awhile, Hikari-hakase, Hikari-san."

"It has," Yuuichiro nodded.

"I'm sorry," the doctor said, "about Netto-kun. I promise I'm doing everything in my power to keep you from losing another son."

"Thank you," Haruka said, giving a small smile.

"But why are you telling me your crazy idea didn't work?" Ueda asked Yuuichiro.

"You were making Netto and Rockman a little nervous," Yuuichiro answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I did not realize I was," Ueda said sheepishly. "I did not think that the idea was probable but I couldn't help think, 'But what if…'."

Yuuichiro nodded. "I wish that it was true," he said, feeling somewhat foolish outright lying to someone he rather respected, "but Rockman is not Netto's..."

"DR. UEDA!"

The group turned to face a frantic nurse running up to him.

"What is it?" Ueda asked alarmed but nevertheless remaining calm.

"Hikari-kun…"

That was all that was muttered before Ueda was racing down the hall to Netto's room, followed closing by the patient's parents and the nurse.