#nikolliver

The kids, despite everything, still very much so DO want to learn more about their dad. Hearing about his "death" saving their universe, it only reignited that interest and fascination; although obviously begrudging. Not something any of them actively WANT to voice. And it isn't like losing their father in such a permanent way didn't impact them.

So when he comes back, that curiosity would resurface! And so would the relief in knowing that he wasn't truly gone. Katie and Cory prefer to keep their distance, though ZACH is another story entirely.

Zach's insistence on tracking WPNZ down and challenging him to rematches is what sparks a lot of WPNZ' and Karen's interactions. Not all of them very pleasant, of course, but Karen's thoughts on the whole situation are QUITE hard to get out into proper words.

She was deeply impacted by WPNZ' "death", too. The note she received is something that matters a lot to her, being a genuine expression of gratitude from someone she never thought she'd GET it, from. Oh, she still hates WPNZ. She's still terrified of him, too. She still wants to keep her kids far, FAR away from him. But, much like Meggy, she SAW a bit of change in him.

Karen knew a very different version of WPNZ than the one we got to really see in the show. WPNZ during his debut was fueled by his own sort of mania- had a one-track mind in tracking down his family, and was not thinking all that clearly. It was a small snippet of his more cruel, persistent, manipulative side. It was the more unstable side of himself that Karen once hadn't seen too much... not directed toward HER, anyway.

But the WPNZ Karen once knew NEVER would've sacrificed himself for another person; let alone for such a greater cause. Her WPNZ was a loving man in his own way, but also an avoidant, selfish man. Many of his more negative and toxic traits were easily ignored and overlooked, and even shared, because Karen lived a much rougher lifestyle, then. Karen was not a good person by any means. She had her ups and downs, as did WPNZ. It was part of how they clicked and connected.

So upon seeing WPNZ do something so selfless, and upon receiving that bit of recognition from him (his letter being something like an "apology", really), it would be a bit of a wake-up call. It would show to her that WPNZ DOES regret what he's done, and he DOES want to make things right, better, with her and the kids. At least once, he returns, it does.

This isn't to say that she's not still cold to him, she is. But as the kids' interest grows (and as Zach keeps causing problems), the more she gradually allows herself to at least speak to him. To have some conversations, one on one, to catch up. Maybe get some unspoken thoughts out, too. Reach some sort of understanding, and middle ground.

Their relationship is one that will never be fully mended. It's not supposed to. They're on somewhat amicable terms, and Karen DOES care about him, still, but she's permanently shut WPNZ out in every major way. And WPNZ knows this, understands it, and accepts it. He's just grateful to see her and the kids again, really. He's beyond grateful to even be able to TALK to her, at all.