AN: Guess what chapter this is? That's right, it's chapter 19. Only 9 more to go! Is this a yay moment? Imma say it's a yay moment. YAY! I have still not come up with an idea of how I'm going to make up for the 2 lost chapters, or have I? You'll never know...until it actually happens though, then you'll know.

Wanna know who the best Beta Reader in the world is? This guy - JDUBZ -

Well, to be honest he's the only Beta Reader I know, sooo...yeaaaaah. Love ya, J.

Chapter 19: Complications

Under the harsh rays of the sun, Subaru finally awoke. The unrelenting brightness penetrated his eyelids and made them twitch. Subaru turned over in his bed to face away from the light, not wanting to wake up. His half awake mind was groggy. Noooo, go away sun. Nobody wants you here.

Naoko circled around Subaru's bed to face him after opening the blinds. She shook his shoulder lightly, whispering in a lovely voice, "Wake up, Subaru. Breakfast is almost ready."

Still very out of it, Subaru smiled and said slowly, "Five more minutes, Rem." He snuggled more into his blanket.

Naoko removed her hand from Subaru's shoulder, with a raised eyebrow she asked, "Subaru….who's Rem?" (AN: I didn't put it in for the meme, so don't call me out.)

Subaru's eyes shot open, now wide awake. He looked at his mother and was shocked for a second until he realized he was back home.

Oh, right.

Subaru sat up in his bed and waved off his mom, "It's nothing, mom. She's was someone I knew while I was gone." Subaru rubbed what little sleep he had left, out of his eyes.

Naoko asked in a concerned voice, "Was she a friend?"

The image of Rem's pretty face popped into Subaru's mind. Her shimmering eyes reflected an imaginary sun. The thought of her hugs made his heart race. Her pink lips made his cheeks redden. Still thinking about Rem with a lustful look on his face, "You…..you can say that."

Naoko put a finger to her lips with a curious look. Subaru knew she would want to hear more, but he didn't want to say more about his relationship and changed the subject. "So...uh mom?" Naoko look at Subaru. "What's..uh..what's for breakfast?" The perfect distraction.

Naoko gasped, her eyes lit up like Christmas trees. Putting her hands together, she brought them to her right cheek. "I made Subaru's favorite! An egg omelet with bacon and mayonnaise!" Naoko fluffed Subaru's blanket saying, "Come on, come on, your father is waiting."

Subaru chuckled, "Haha, OK, OK, mom just let me get ready."

Naoko happily left the room, waving to her son before closing the door. Subaru took the blanket off of him and threw his legs over the side of the bed. Yesterday had seemed like a dream, but it wasn't and that's why Subaru was so happy inside. He didn't have to explain anything to his parents, just knowing that he'd be able to return to Kararagi, to Rem, was enough for Subaru.

Subaru put on a shirt and went out of his room. He walked down the hall, and straight to the kitchen. His mother and father sat at a small table in the middle of the kitchen. Kenichi was reading the weekly newspaper, unaware of his son's entrance. Naoko, however, welcomed her son.

"Subaru, I have your plate ready." Naoko gestured to the seat across from her. On a small plate sat an egg omelet, a checkered design of mayonnaise covering it. Next to it sat bacon, because everything's better with bacon, even mayonnaise.

At the mention of his son, Kenichi lowered his paper. A handsome smile appeared on his lips, "Ahhhhh, look who decided to finally wake up."

Subaru looked at the kitchen clock, "It's only...11:10am?" The time shocked him because he'd never slept for so long before. "Why didn't you wake me up before?"

Naoko got out of her chair to get orange juice from the fridge. As she poured some in a glass for Subaru she said, "You looked so happy in your sleep I didn't want to wake you."

Taking his seat, Subaru tried to remember his dream but came up with nothing. Maybe Rem was in it. It wouldn't surprise him, Rem would incite that reaction from him.

"Well then, all I can say is 'Thank you' to my favorite mother." Naoko smiled at the compliment.

In response Naoko said, "And Subaru is my favorite son."

Kenichi folded up his newspaper and set it next to his plate, "Keep in mind, Subaru, you're her only son. So by default you're already her favorite"

"Well, in that case. You're my favorite father." Subaru's comment strengthened Kenichi's smile. "However, by default you are also my least favorite father."

Kenichi faked being in pain, his right hand clutching his heart while his left hand held his forehead. "Uhhh, it hurts your father hearing such hurtful things coming from your mouth, Subaru." Kenichi continued his charade until Naoko stopped him.

"Let your son eat, Honey. He hasn't eaten since yesterday's lunch."

Kenichi stopped and held his hands up in defense against his wife, "Oh yeah, that reminds me Subaru. What'd you do at Michael's yesterday?"

That was the lie Subaru had told them yesterday. Subaru said that after he visited the school he went to Michael's to hang out and talk. He didn't mention Okabe or Hououin or whatever his name was. He had a feeling that they wouldn't permit him to see Okabe again. They would probably assume he was a mad man trying to kidnap Subaru by playing along with his fantasies. Maybe he was...

Subaru ate a piece of omelet, "You know, we talked….did guy things." Subaru was totally unprepared for this subject to be brought up again.

Naoko looked confused, "Guy things?" She looked at Kenichi, "What are guy things?"

Kenichi now looked like he was put on the spot, "Uhh...well, you see, Honey. They're uhh…," he coughed, "...they're just...well… 'guy' 'things'." He said the last two words while making quotations in the air.

Subaru caught onto what his dad was trying to say, "Dad! No, we didn't...we did….other guy things." Think of something, stupid.

Kenichi looked relieved, "Ahhhh, you see, Honey." He looked at Naoko and gestured towards Subaru with his hands, "Other guy things." But then turned to Subaru with a questionable look, "What other guy things?"

Trying to get rid of the situation, Subaru finally came up with an excuse, "We watched a movie alright?!" To avoid saying anything else Subaru shoved more of the omelet into his mouth.

Kenichi and Naoko looked at each other, Naoko decided to speak for the both of them, "Sweetie, that's not really a guy thing, more of a…..thing."

Subaru looked out the window and said nothing, tapping his fork onto his plate.

Kenichi pulled at the collar of his shirt, "You know, son. Being gay isn't a bad thing. It's actually pretty normal."

Subaru started choking on his omelet, hitting his chest to get the bits of food out from his esophagus. After drinking some orange juice he was able to talk like he was ticked off. "I'm NOT gay, guys! Michael and I just hung out, OK?! We did nothing, NOTHING, got it?!" Subaru had both his hands on the table.

After a few seconds, Subaru calmed down, "Besides, I have a girlfriend."

Kenichi put the prongs of his form to his lips, "Is this girl from Karaoke?" Subaru shot a glare at his father. Kenichi tried to recover, "Uh, I mean Kararagi."

Naoko reached over and put a hand on Kenichi's bicep. Smiling, she said in a cute manner, "Her name is Rem."

Looking surprised, Kenichi put his hand on Naoko's and replied mockingly, "Are you sure? That's a pretty weird name for a guy." He chuckled a little to himself.

Picking up his plate and fork, Subaru got up and started walking towards the hallway. Kenichi called out to him, "Hey, Subaru! Where you going? We were just kidding!" It would have sounded believable if Kenichi wasn't trying not to laugh.

Subaru was at the front door putting on his shoes, "I'm going out!" He took a bite of the omelet, "And in taking this with me!"

Naoko appeared from the kitchen doorway to wish Subaru off, "Come back safe, Sweetie. Don't talk to strangers."

"Uhhhhhhhh…" a groan came from Subaru as he closed the door behind him.

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Finally free from the embarrassing clutches of his parents, Subaru was unsure of where to go and what to do. I could go to the little shopping center and read manga. Subaru blew that idea off, not wanting to revert back to his old ways. Thinking outside and doing nothing made Subaru wish he had Rem with him, as per usual. It was no surprise that everything he did, he wanted to do with Rem. Even if it were nothing, Rem would gladly do nothing with her Subaru, just lounge around the house doing nothing as long as they were together.

Subaru made his decision, he was going to go to Okabe's and find out more information on how often he can contact Rem. Okabe had said that when the portal had enough mana it would be able to withstand a metia call. This made Subaru wonder how long that would take. When the time came he would call Rem everyday and explain to her everything he went through. He hadn't tried yet, but Subaru wondered if he could speak of his Return by Death ability. The witch's influence didn't seem to affect him in his world, he didn't wake up with a cold sweat in the middle of the because of his night terrors. The witch never came to him in his dreams, trying to seduce him. It was as if she had disappeared, but she could just be dormant, her doing nothing could just be her waiting for something.

Two hands lightly slammed into Subaru's shoulders from behind. "Sup, Subaru!" The person let go of Subaru's shoulders and came around to the side. "Where you goin'?" The person was Michael.

Of all people to run into, Michael was one he didn't want to meet. With Michael being who he was, he would probably follow Subaru wherever he went. Trying to come up with an excuse while trying not to lie to his best friend, Subaru said, "I'm going to a friend's house." In his head, Subaru started to. Eat himself. Why are so stupid, stupid, stupid? Stupid!

Michael adjusted his glasses, "Who's? Is it Jimmy? Eh, he never wants to hang out, not sure if he likes me or not."

"Normally, I would reassure you, but truthfully I don't know what happened during the past year, so I can't say much." Subaru kept walking.

"I mean….I guess." Michael started to look worried as if Subaru was up to no good.

Subaru noticed and stopped walking, "What's up with that face?" Subaru was growing agitated because he thought his best friend didn't trust him fully anymore.

Michael looked like he was caught in a lie, he answered by using spastic hand gestures, "A..a face? What face!? I'm not making a face! If anything you're making a face!" He was referring to the doubtful look on Subaru's face.

Like a statue, Subaru stayed in place, unmoving. He decided he had had enough, and started to walk down the street again. Michael hesitated before following, "Subaru, where are you really going?!"

Michael stepped in from of Subaru to block his path, now Subaru was really irritated. "I told you! I..am..going..to..a..friend's..house! Get that through your head, Michael!"

Michael was unfazed, still blocking the sidewalk, "When you say it like that, Subaru, not knowing where you're going makes me even more nervous."

Subaru replied in an extremely mocking tone, "Oh, I'm sorry. Please excuse my gruff tone, but I'm leaving to discuss details with a new friend of mine about how I can get back to Kararagi via a portal." Subaru's became serious again, "That enough for you?"

"You know, Subaru. You tell the best jokes, but right now you're not laughing so I worry for you and your decision making process."

Subaru stepped around Michael, "Go home, Michael."

Michael stood in the same spot, blocking someone that wasn't there anymore. Not wanting to see his friend get hurt, Michael followed Subaru. Michael caught up to Subaru, and continued "Whoever this guy is, it sounds like he's scamming the hell out of you, man! I bet he's charging lots of money, too." Subaru said nothing, so Michael kept going, "Just you wait, Subaru. When we get there, I'll debunk everything." The remainder of the walk was completely silent."

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Ding dong

A pair of eyes appears from between the blinds next to Okabe's from door. They relaxed upon seeing Subaru, but tensed when they saw Michael.

The door opened and Okabe stood there in his white lab coat, his eyes never left Michael, but his questions were directed to Subaru, "Where you followed?"

"No."

"Who is this boy?"

"My friend, Michael."

"And you brought him here becauuuuuuse?"

"To show this idiot the portal."

Okabe gave one last look outside before forcefully pulling the boys into the house.

Subaru was in a was ready for it, but it surprised Michael, causing him to call out, "Hey! What gives?!"

Okabe closed the door and marched up to Subaru, "You mean to tell me you couldn't go one day, NOT EVEN ONE, without telling someone?!"

"He was getting on my nerves about it s-."

Okabe acted like he was in mourning, "Oh dear, for heaven's sake if only your friend didn't annoy you." His demeanor quickly changed, turning agitated and pointing a finger at Subaru, "That is NOT a valid reason."

"I want to talk to Rem anyway," Subaru pointed at Michael, "Then he'll see that I'm not making it up and that you're not a joke."

"Are you saying last night wasn't enough for you?" Okabe put his hands in his hair, "Do you not remember the amount of strain the gateway went through for just that 5 minute call?!" Okabe reach his hands out to Subaru, "Or must I refresh your memory?!"

"I remember it I'm not a dam-!"

Okabe cut him off by poking Subaru's check with every word he spoke. "Well, if you do remember then let me remind you that making just one more call might sacrifice your only way of getting back to Taylor. Are you willing to take that risk to prove your friend wrong?!"

Subaru looked down, "No."

Okabe grabbed the flaps of his coat, "Good, I was starting to think you had gone insane." Looking at the downcast Subaru, Okabe spoke up, "Anyway, I was going to call, but since you're already here I can show you now."

Michael had stayed silent the whole time, but at the talk of being shown something he got nervous, "Wh-What are you going to show Subaru?"

Okabe answered, "Something that does not concern you. However, if you promise to behave I will grant you temporary access to my lab."

"Do I have a say?"

"Not anymore, you made your decision when you decided to follow Subaru here."

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"Holy crap!" Michael marveled at the amazing technology around him when they entered the gateway's control center.

Subaru and Okabe lagged behind to observe Michael. Subaru asked Okabe, "So what? Is he like an official lab partner now?"

After chuckling a bit, Okabe smiled and answered, "I have no plans to do so. As soon as he is done swimming in the golden river of my achievements I will use a simple procedure to wipe his memory of this visit."

"Is there anything you can't do?"

Okabe thought, "Understand the quantum physics of the result of the alignment of our universe's multiple galaxies during which the photonic state of matter will crumble with each passing millisecond, bringing the doom of everything and anything closer and closer everyday."

"That'll do it."

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Okabe's happy yelling could be heard from the gateway room to the control center, "Oh ho! I never knew such an incredible mind existed in your generation! It is a wonderful thing to know and cherish!"

Okabe was currently giving Michael a grand tour of the lab. As of now they were in the gateway room. Okabe was explaining in detail just how the gateway worked to create a portal. Somehow, Michael understood the bare basics, but still had no clue whatsoever when it came to the important stuff. But just having some understanding was enough to make Okabe happy.

Subaru had been waiting in the control center. While the two in the other room were talking, Subaru looked around the room to suppress his boredom. Like in the gateway room, tables and shelves were in various spots, displaying more gadgets. One such gadget looked like a ray gun with a light bulb for a barrel, another was a pen looking device with three propellers, and many other cool or weird looking objects.

Coming across another table, Subaru saw what he could only assume were blueprints for the gateway. The sketching was really detailed and so many words we scribbled into the paper that Subaru paid no real attention to it. Scattered around the blueprints were dozens upon dozens of papers with Okabe's hand writing on them. There was so much written down that Subaru wasn't sure if he would ever want to even try to understand it all.

On the top of the stack of papers, there was a framed picture. The photo showed a young looking Okabe with a red headed woman. His arm was wrapped her, a huge smile was on his face while his other free hand flashed the peace sign to the camera. The woman didn't look amused, but had a small smile on her lips, her gaze was towards something on screen. On the photo and written in cursive were the words:

XOXOXOXO!

Stay safe where ever you are! I miss you!

Love,

Makise (Christina)

Sensing it was personal, Subaru stopped snooping around and went into the gateway room. Okabe was still talking while Michael nodded his head in occasion with his chin rested on his hand. Subaru decided free himself from this hell of his, "OK, are you guys done geeking around or should I set fire to the lab?"

Okabe went quiet and narrowed his eyes at Subaru before talking again, "This 'geeking around' you speak of is merely the act of two great minds working as one. Or in this case, one great mind informing a lesser, but still great mind."

Michael was confused on whether to take that as a compliment, "Thank you?"

Subaru just waved his hand at Okabe, "Whatever, are you done talking about your portal magic?"

Okabe put a hand on his forehead, "It's called Systems Theory, and no we're not done."

"Again, too much science for me." Subaru had spent 15 minutes in the other room and was now getting agitated, "If you have the time, I have a question for you."

"Can it wait?"

"No."

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Okabe and Subaru left Michael in the gateway room while they went to the hallway that led to the elevator. Not before Okabe told Michael to to not touch anything, of course.

"Well of course you'll be able to talk to Taylor-."

"Rem."

"I said that. Anyway, you will be able to talk to Rem again before the opening of the portal."

Subaru was happy to hear these words. It meant he wouldn't have to wait for two whole months to talk to Rem again. If he could talk to Rem, Subaru wanted to know when.

"In two months." Okabe said it non-regrettably.

"What?! You said it would be able to handle a metia call when it had enough mana!" Subaru was starting to get mad now while Okabe was starting to raise his voice.

"Yes I did. Let me specify; it would handle A metia call. Just one. Now that we used that one call the portal is even more unstable, and must rest until we can use it again for the portal opening, then and only then will you be able to call Taylor and inform her of how to turn on the gateway. With a call plus an opening, the gateway will only keep the portal open for so long before it collapses."

"What kind of fucking logic is that?!"

It was Okabe's turn to yell and get angry, "It's simple science you idiot! Must I remind you it is only a prototype! It can only take so little because I was never able to complete the first half! You don't even understand the simplicity that is the mechanics of my metia, what right do you have to yell at me about MY portal?!"

Subaru said nothing for a minute until finally he whispered, "I have none."

Okabe straightened his jacket and coughed, "I-I thought so." He turned to leave.

"What will happen to Michael?" Okabe stopped at Subaru's question. "What will you do to him now that he knows?"

Not looking at Subaru, Okabe said, "I'll keep him as is. I trust he will not tell anyone, he actually reminds me of myself in a way. He'll be an important asset to our operation. Getting the portal ready is our main priority and I feel he may be very helpful."

"Our?"

"Yes, we may have our different views on the situation, but we do share the same goal." Okabe turned to smile at Subaru, "Getting that damn portal open." Okabe opened the door, going back to the control room.

Now alone in the control room, Okabe said to himself, "It's only a matter of time before I bring you to her, Subaru. Only a matter of time."

"In any world line, any time, any place, I love you."

-Okabe Rintarou