The warm afternoon sun entered the dining room, where a group was sitting with their cups of tea or coffee and tiny slices of cake on plates. They could seem a bit weird to an average man, but this lunch was quite usual for them. Every Sunday Megamind and Minion visited Roxanne's parents and this Sunday wasn't an exception; but today Megamind was absolutely absent-minded and it was easy to guess the reason for his distraction. "Well, Megamind... Is there any news about that 'memory burglar '?" Mr. James Ritchie, Roxanne's father, asked politely, trying to hide his curiosity.
"No," the alien shook his head sadly, "no evidence and no tracks of that.. 'Memory burglar' and his plans." Megamind made a wry face calling Metro city's new mysterious villain by its unofficial nickname that Roxanne wrote in one of her articles. The city's new hero thought that that mad guy didn't deserve such a well-sounding nickname, especially a nickname invented by Roxanne, his Roxanne. "But I'm working on it... I've got a few ideas about it and I'm gonna try 'em next week".
"Won't you tell us?" Roxanne asked softly and smiled, eating a little piece of her cake.
"Um... No."
"Oh, Miss Ritchie, we can't! It's too dangerous to say such things as ex-evil plans aloud!" Minion explained happily.
"Next week -" murmured Mrs. Adele Ritchie and frowned, "but what about preparations for your wedding? You can't forget about that and be stuck on your work this week!"
"I won't, believe me, Mrs, Ritchie!" Megamind exclaimed happily and gave Roxanne's mother a look full of confidence, "but we do need to stop that man". Megamind smiled slyly and added, "hm, I'm starting to miss the old times when I, and only I, could choose when and against whom I fight."
"But being a villain meant you couldn't date me," Roxanne smirked. Such fits of nostalgia were a usual thing for all of them and were some kind of joke that everyone in their family liked.
"Oh, actually... I could. You couldn't!" The blue alien tried not to laugh.
Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie exchanged glances and shook their heads trying not to think about how unusual their future son-in-law was. When they heard for the first time about Megamind and Roxanne's relationships they were absolutely disappointed and couldn't understand the idea of a woman dating a blue and big-headed alien. It took Roxanne a few weeks to make them be a little bit friendlier to the ex-villain and, fortunately, Megamind managed to charm them; all of them still remembered well that awkward first weekend lunch together. The only thing that still made Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie frustrated was that Roxanne wasn't against having a little blue-skinned baby. Roxanne glared, reminding Megamind that she didn't like that 'Bernard trick' and all the jazz after their dinner date a year ago; though she felt a bit guilty about that rejection in the rain. But she will never let him know about that.
"Are you sure that you'll manage to defeat this villain in one week?" Mr .Ritchie was serious again. Being a DI in the police of Metro City, he had always been very focused on all crimes. "The thing is that he has been committing crimes for a month and no one can do anything with him!"
"Even though that sounds like your doubting my incredible knowledge and genius, I'll answer." Roxanne rolled up her eyes and sighed. "Maybe it is a bit evil, but I need one more victim. I'm going to launch a tracking loop this evening and I'm absolutely sure that it will help!"
"Why haven't you done that before?" Mr. Ritchie asked in an irritated tone. In his opinion, it was so irresponsible to linger!
"The loop wasn't ready and I needed to know who was in the risk group 'cause it's impossible to look after every one in Metrocity. It took me a lot of time".
"And who is?" Roxanne couldn't hide her curiosity.
"People from twenty two to thirty," Megamind pulled a grimace, "still quite a big amount of people, I know. But still it's much better than thinking of everybody as a victim". After a few silent seconds Megamind added, "and I do not like that you are in the risk group!"
"Come on! I have quite a lot of experience of being kidnapped so… I'm not the best choice!" Roxanne laughed rolling her eyes and spoke seriously, "well, don't be afraid for me, I'll be fine."
"Roxanne!" Mr. Ritchie frowned and looked sternly at his daughter, "This is not a joke. Do you wanna lose all your memories?"
"She won't," Minion explained, "there are a couple of brainbots nearby all the time!"
Roxanne gave her fiancé an inquiring look and raised an eyebrow. Minion tried to hide his face behind his huge robotic hands and not to look at his boss. He had absolutely forgotten the fact that five brainbots-guards were a secret for Miss Ritchie.
"Um… Well… It was a joke?" Megamind's sidekick lied in shaky voice.
"A really bad one," Megamind nodded trying to look as innocent as possible.
"That's the best you could of?! Why haven't you told me?" The reporter asked as she waved her hands angrily.
Mrs. Ritchie chuckled and glanced at the alien, giving Megamind a knowing look. "Let me guess… Was it your not-evil plan?"
Megamind nodded hesitantly. "Well… Kind of".
Roxanne sighed and meekly asked, "please, Megamind, promise me that next time you decide to protect me you'll let me know about that, ok?" She saw doubt in his bright green eyes and tried not to smile. Doing something secretly for her was so his style even after a year as a couple; sometimes she thought there were no ex-villains.
"Old habits die hard, you know… but ok. I will". Roxanne thought that it was too easy. Megamind wouldn't give up so fast unless there had been one more secret plan, or a couple of bugs.
"I never thought you were so compliant," Mr. Ritchie commented, he was quite surprised about that little victory of his daughter because usually it was impossible to persuade that big-headed alien.
"Just trying to be less predictable," Megamind shrugged his shoulders.
"Or you have one more ace to play," Roxanne was still suspicious. Minion chuckled and looked away when Miss Ritchie glanced at him.
Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie knew really well that this banter could last forever unless someone stopped it. James Ritchie cleared his throat and asked, "by the way, Megamind, what do you think about these kidnappings? Do you already know how he does them?"
"As a master of kidnappings," Roxanne added quietly.
The alien sniffed and put his fingertips together trying to concentrate. "I've heard your witty comment, charming, Miss Ritchie, and rest assured I'll return a sly dig at you later, but not now. To answer your question, Mr. Ritchie, I need to mention that it is still unknown to me how this silly villain kidnaps people, but I've got a few ideas. The worst thing it that all his kidnappings were really fast; a person could disappear in one or two seconds…"
"Sounds like teleportation in a sci-fi book," Roxanne murmured biting her lip.
Megamind stopped. Minion opened his eyes widely in surprise. "Wait… Teleportation is impossible!" Mr. Ritchie exclaimed.
"It's not!" Megamind sighed in shock, "come on, Minion! We've got lots of things to do!"
Minion stood up and looked at Roxanne, "um… Sir, but Miss Ritchie…"
Roxanne smirked and shook her head, "its ok! I'm protected by brainbots, or have you forgotten?" Megamind frowned and kissed his bride's cheek making her blush. It wasn't that she hadn't gotten used to kisses, but still she felt confusion when he kissed her in her parents' presence. She thought they were still not really happy about their relationship and didn't want to make them upset. She knew it wasn't honest to hide obvious things, but being with Megamind and mom and dad made her feel like she was some kind of a criminal.
"Call me when you want to go home, I'll pick you up". Roxanne nodded; watching Megamind and Minion leave the flat in a hurry she suddenly felt an ominous feeling of something very dangerous that would come into their lives soon. Trying to hide her worries she smiled at her parents but their faces were serious too.