"I'm here as requested!"
Dexter stared at her for a moment before adjusting his glasses.
Then he smiled.
"Well, I'll be. Looks like someone arrived earlier than expected."
Jenny placed both hands on her hips. "Of course! You asked for my assistance, and I wasn't going to keep you waiting."
Dexter gave a small chuckle. It was good to see her again. The last time they had properly spoken was during the invasion of San Fransokyo, when they had fought alongside one another against the alien threat. Back then, he had awkwardly asked whether she would be interested in spending some time together outside of combat. Jenny had understood his rather clumsy invitation immediately and accepted with an enthusiasm he hadn't quite known how to respond to.
Unfortunately, things had become rather busy afterward. Between his vacation, the preparations for Dextrotech's private expo, practicing with the band, the recruitment of scientists, and his growing number of personal projects, finding time had proven more difficult than expected.
But he had finally made arrangements, and judging by Jenny's excitement, she hadn't forgotten their conversation.
"Well, I'm glad you could make it," Dexter said and pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table, still looking somewhat amused by Jenny's enthusiastic declaration. Across from him, his family had already begun making her feel at home, and judging by the conversation taking place, his sister had found herself a particularly interesting guest.
"So, Jenny," Dexter's mother, Susan began warmly, "we've seen you on television quite a few times. You're quite famous, aren't you?"
Jenny gave a slightly sheepish smile. "I guess you could say that. Ever since the invasion, people seem to recognize me everywhere."
"Well, you certainly made quite an impression," Dexter's father, Harold remarked. "The news reports showed you fighting alongside the other heroes. GDN seems to consider you one of its most valuable combatants, right alongside their Ultron sentries."
"Yeah, they do," Jenny replied. "I'm one of their main defenders, although I don't spend all my time working for GDN. I have a life outside superhero stuff, too."
"Really? What do you enjoy doing when you're not saving the world?" Susan asked.
Jenny's expression brightened. "Lots of things! Well, at least, there are lots of things I'd like to do. Listen to music, watch movies, and just have fun. You know, ordinary teenage stuff."
"That sounds lovely," Susan said. "You shouldn't have to spend all your time fighting."
"Exactly!" Jenny agreed. "I mean, protecting the planet is important, but sometimes I just want to go out and enjoy myself without having to worry about some giant robot or alien invasion showing up."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find plenty of opportunities," Harold said. "There are many things to enjoy when you're not working."
"That's what I'm hoping for," Jenny replied. "I've been wanting to go to a concert for ages!"
"Then you should come with us sometime!" Dee Dee suddenly chimed in. "I know lots of places we could visit. We could go shopping, see a movie, get something to eat, and maybe even go to a concert!"
"Really?" Jenny asked, looking delighted. "That would be awesome!"
"Dee Dee," Dexter said, glancing at his sister, "perhaps you should allow Jenny to finish her dinner before planning an entire social calendar."
"But I'm just making suggestions!"
"You're making plans."
"Same thing!"
Susan chuckled at their exchange, while Jenny giggled.
However, Dee Dee's attention soon shifted from Jenny's interests to something else. She leaned forward, studying the robot's white plating and bright blue accents with unmistakable fascination.
"Can I ask you something, Jenny?"
"Sure!"
"Your body is really robotic, right? I mean, I know you're a robot, but how does everything work? Are your arms and legs made of metal? Can you feel things? Do you have bones? What about your hair? Is it actually hair, or is it made of wires? Can you take your hands off? Do you need to recharge? Can you eat? Can you sleep? Do you have a stomach?"
Dexter slowly lowered his fork. "Dee Dee."
"What?"
"Perhaps you could allow our guest to finish eating before conducting an interrogation."
"But I'm curious… look at her. She's just eating normal food."
Jenny laughed and waved a hand. "It's okay! I'm used to people asking questions about me."
"See?" Dee Dee said triumphantly.
"That does not mean you should overwhelm her with them."
Jenny smiled at Dee Dee. "My body is pretty complicated. I'm made from some really advanced materials, and I've got all sorts of systems inside me. I can feel things, and I can process food, although I don't need to eat the same way humans do. I also don't really sleep, but I can enter a low-power mode if I need to."
"That's so cool!" Dee Dee exclaimed.
"There's a lot more to it than that," Jenny added. "My mom built me to be able to do pretty much anything a human can do, and a few things humans can't."
"Your mother built you?" Susan asked.
"Yeah! Dr. Nora Wakeman. She's a scientist and inventor. She's really smart, and she's the one who created me."
"She must be very talented," Harold remarked.
"She is," Jenny replied proudly. "Although sometimes she can be a little overprotective."
Dexter adjusted his glasses. "That is hardly surprising, considering your capabilities and the responsibilities you've been given."
Jenny gave him a playful look. "You sound like my mom."
"I assure you, I have no intention of becoming your parent."
"Good, because I already have one!"
The table broke into laughter, and even Dexter allowed himself a small smile.
The conversation continued for a while, with his parents asking Jenny about her experiences as a superhero and what life was like working with GDN. Jenny shared a few amusing stories, occasionally exaggerating her gestures as she described some of the more unusual situations she had encountered. Dee Dee listened eagerly, interrupting from time to time with another question, while Dexter mostly remained quiet.
He was glad Jenny was getting along with everyone. She had seemed excited when he invited her over, and it was nice to see her enjoying herself rather than feeling like she was being examined or evaluated.
Eventually, dinner came to an end. After helping clear the table, Dexter turned toward Jenny.
"Well, if you're ready, there's something I'd like to show you."
Jenny looked up. "Something?"
"Yes. Come with me."
He started toward the stairs, and Jenny followed.
"Where are you two going?" Dee Dee asked.
"Upstairs," Dexter replied.
"How mysterious."
Dexter ignored her and continued walking.
Behind him, his mother exchanged an amused glance with Dee Dee.
"Well, would you look at that mom," Dee Dee whispered. "Dexter finally invited a girl over."
Their mother smiled. "It's nice to see him making friends."
"Friends?" Dee Dee giggled. "I used to think the only ones interested in him would be robots!"
Dexter, who was halfway up the stairs, stopped. "I heard that."
"What I'm not wrong right?" Dee Dee burst into laughter.
Their mother tried to suppress her own amusement, but a chuckle escaped her as Dexter shook his head and continued upstairs.
Jenny followed him, smiling at the exchange. "Your sister likes teasing you."
"Unfortunately, that is one of her favorite activities."
"She seems nice."
"She is. Occasionally."
Jenny giggled as they reached his room.