Generation 1, Chapter 11

"So what's this I hear that you don't want to be a scientist" Vallari confronted Adam the following morning.

 "Mom I just wanted to know if Dad was ok with the idea of me learning a musical instrument. I never said I was giving up science altogether. Dad said I could do whatever I wanted" Adam began.

"Well it's not alright with me. You can make a lot of money and prestige in the science community. Just look at you Father and Grandfather, they're both at the top of their careers. You need to carry on the family tradition of being a top scientist." Vallari went on to emphasize all the benefits of being a well known scientist and didn't seem to realize that she just let slip that she knew more about Peter than he had ever told her.

Adam just stood there trying to give the appearance of listening and yet trying not to laugh as he watched Windy make faces behind Vallari's back. Blah, blah, blah Vallari went on and on until Adam wondered if she would ever stop.

"Adam...Adam are you listening to me?" Vallari demanded.

"Uh yeah mom. That's all great but I need to get ready for school" Adam replied.

"Ok but right after school I want you working on your science skill" Vallari insisted.

"Yeah sure whatever" Adam mumbled having already realized at his young age that it was better to appear to agree than to rock the boat with his mother. The real problem for Adam was he really did enjoy science and working with his Dad in the lab. He had every intention to follow in his Father's footsteps. But he disliked the idea of giving into Vallari's demands. He wanted it to be his choice, not hers! Couldn't she just leave him alone?

 Later that day Adam was working in the lab with Peter. "Um Dad, was my Grandfather a scientist?" Adam asked from his work area.

"Yes he was. Why do you ask?"

"Oh Mom was rambling on about how I needed to be a scientist to carry on the family tradition. She seems to think that Grandfather had gotten rich by being a scientist." Adam innocently explained.

"I see your Mom is still forcing science on you."

"Yeah, I wish she'd stop and just leave me alone."

They continued to work in silence for awhile. Adam had no idea that what he just said had caused Peter so much emotional turmoil.

Not concentrating on his work, Peter's mind was racing. Wondering how long Vallari knew about his past and family fortune. He had told her things about himself, he just never went into depth about his parents wealth and prestige. Those things weren't important to him but he had always known that Vallari had put a lot of emphasis on money. He had thought that she had married him for his potential and that she actually loved him. But did she really marry him, in the expectation of inheriting millions? Peter could hardly breath and felt like he was drowning in a sea of self doubt. When he was suddenly jolted back to reality by the sound of breaking glass and the quivering sound of his son's voice.

"Dad, am I dead?"

"What, what did you do?" Peter stammered staring at his son's ghost.

"I um, just made a potion and um dropped it." Adam finally managed to say, trying not to cry. "Will I be a ghost forever, Dad?"

"No you won't son. I think you just discovered the ghost potion. Here watch." Peter proceeded to rummage through his potions and pulled a vial out and poured it on himself. As Adam watched, Peter became a ghost.

"This is so cool" Adam said getting excited at the prospect of walking through walls. Peter smiled back and said let's go up and see if we can scare your mom. Adam giggled in anticipation.

They went upstairs anticipating a funny reaction from Vallari but was sorely disappointed when she failed to have any reaction at all. She acted like it was normal somehow to see her son and husband as ghosts. Little did they know that she secretly hoped to see the ghost of her husband but only after he had become rich. However according to her calculations, Peter hadn't made enough money yet to qualify for rich yet. Sure they had money but they could always have more. Besides why become hysterical when the Grimm hadn't shown up, and she would have been hysterical at the thought of raising three little ones on her own without enough money to satisfy her needs. So it must be some sort of joke and best not to react at all and spoil there fun.

Peter felt rather deflated when Vallari failed to react the way he thought she should at seeing his ghost. It almost felt like she enjoyed it in an odd sort of way. It left him with a feeling of apprehension that he just couldn't shake.

Several days later Adam was in the lab, hard at work mixing chemicals in the hopes of finding the right combination to bring Windy to life. But once again he failed and he was left a little singed in his attempt. When he was about to leave and get cleaned up, he realized Vallari was there, waiting to talk to him. Adam's first thought was "Oh great, can't she ever leave me alone!"

However this time she was not going to push science on him. She had other concerns on her mind. She's been worried over the way Peter had been acting since the night he and Adam became ghosts. She felt Peter was avoiding her and she wanted to know why. She felt that Adam would be able to provide her with the reason for his behavior since they spent so much time in the lab together.

"For someone who doesn't want to be a scientist, you sure spend a lot of time in here" Vallari started immediately putting Adam on edge. Not the best start when your searching for information, putting your source on edge.

"It's not like I have a choice, you said I had to." Adam shot back hoping Vallari would just go away.

"Oh I guess I did" not really caring Vallari continued with her real reason for being in the lab. "What do you two talk about while your working on your experiments?"

Adam thinking this was rather strange and wondered why she needed to know what he and his Dad talk about. "Oh mostly about science stuff, school and I asked him about Grandfather once"

"You did what?" Vallari exploded "Where did you hear about him?"

"From you" Adam said shrugging not knowing why Vallari was so upset. While Vallari was just standing there seemingly lost in thought, Adam decided it was time to leave.

Vallari was stunned that she could have been so stupid to let slip she knew anything about the financial status of Peter's Father or even knew who he was. That must be why Peter had been avoiding her. Vallari's mind was racing trying to figure out what she could do to rectify the situation.