Later in Doctor Quantos' office. . .
Grimm laid back on the operating table as Doctor Quantos leaned over his face. "There, how's that?" Doctor Q asked. "The left eye is sticking a little bit. Kinda off. . ."
"Hang on a moment. . .there. Got it. What do you think?" Doc Quantos held a small hand mirror up to Grimm's face. Grimm reached a hand up and touched his cheek. "Amazing, how did you get it to look like me. . .um, the old me. . .you know. . ."
"It's a special polymer I began developing after I left Mandelovia. It adapts to specific features such as bone structure, skin color. . .I appreciate you helping me test it out."
"Not a problem, Doc, I just hope it lasts longer than the first one you made for me."* ( Shirley Kicks Ass.) Grimm chuckled slightly.
"You know, I don't think I've heard you laugh before." Quantos said as he sat down in his chair with a cup of coffee. "Usually don't have much reason to. . .not since. . ."
"Right. . .you know, as a man of science, I never believed in beings like you before." Quantos sipped from his coffee. "I never believed in stuff like me, either. But. . .here we are. . .So, how's Charley doin?" Grimm said, abruptly changing the subject.
"She seems to be coping well. Dr. Huerta and Tayden have both been a big help for her. She's supposed to be at Axel's birthday party tonight. You could see for yourself how she's doing. . ."
"Ah, I probably won't be around. I'm about to go on vacation for a couple of weeks. Speaking of which, the guys and I got you a little something. It's not much, but we figured you'd get a kick out of it." Grimm handed Quantos a small box. Henry took the box and slowly unwrapped it, then lifted the lid off of it and reached inside. He removed a small picture with a wooden frame from the inside of the box. Quantos smiled as he saw the photo of himself, standing next to the man he'd come to think of as a son, Kristofer Schanz. "Very thoughtful of you boys. Thank you."
"Well, I gotta run, Doc. Some people I have to see. You enjoy the holidays, ok?" Grimm stepped out into the hallway, and pulled a small mirror from his jacket pocket. "Alice, is Z around?" "She is ready, Grimm." "Let's do it. . ." A blueish-white portal appeared in the hallway with a slight Boom! and Grimm stepped inside of it, vanishing as the portal closed behind him.
