It's a Max Phoebe Thing
Summary: Phoebe follows Max as he breaks into a research lab. Things take an unexpected twist and the twins wake up in each other's body. They must work together to figure out how to reverse the effect without raising suspicion. Will they work it out and get to understand each other a little better, or will the ordeal push them farther apart than ever?
Author's Note: This is an idea I had for a while since I feel like it would fit well with the show. It's hopefully going to stay true to the show, but make it a bit more mature. The title of this story is a reference to a movie called It's a Boy Girl Thing. I hope you like it. :)
Chapter One
Up until that point, most of Max's 'misdeeds' had been virtually harmless. Breaking into the school to set up pranks, minor vandalism, petty theft. Truly, the worst he had done was breaking into the water treatment facility, but he had managed to mess that up for himself. But, that night, it seemed he had decided to take it up a notch. Phoebe watched through binoculars as he broke into the Hiddenville Scientific Research Facility. She didn't know a lot about it, but she did know that a lot of technological research and development went on there. If anyone but Phoebe were to catch him there, he would be in massive trouble.
Not that she thought anyone was going to catch Max. As much as she hated to admit it, he was good at what he did. She may not believe he was really a super villain, deep down, but he knew his way around criminal activity. He was as good at pulling of heists as she was stopping them. In a strange way, they made a good team in that regard.
"Okay," she muttered to herself, shaking out her muscles. She wasn't about to sit back and let Max run amok in a research lab. Who knew what top secret experiments could be in there? As soon as she was sure she could follow him without being noticed, she made for the building, the same way he went in. Little did he know, she had taken to hiding tracking devices in his shoes so she could keep track of him to make sure he didn't... well, go and do something like this.
The air ducts were dusty, and the dust had been stirred up as Max crawled through. If she coughed, Max would hear her for sure. She pulled her cape around to put over her mouth and nose. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was enough. Before too long, the dot that represented Max came to a stop. Moving as quietly as she could, she drew near. A vent cover dangled into the room below and she peered down.
Max was right below her, rubbing his gloved hands together, nodding. He was wearing a ski mask, as cliche as it was, but she didn't need to see his face to know the smirk that was there. "Alright, where do I start?"
"How about you start in your room?" she said, dropping down on him. He let out a shrill scream as her weight drug him to the floor. "'Cause that's where you're going to be when mom and dad ground you." She stood up, looking down sternly at him, hands on her hips.
He pushed himself up, half sitting, half crouching, and let out a frustrated hiss. "How did you find me here?"
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "You're a 'super villain,'" she said, making air quotes around the word super villain. "Do you really think I'm going to let you run around the city without some way to find you?"
"Where is the trust?" he asked in a mock hurt voice, placing a hand over his heart.
"I don't know. Did you check the garbage, 'cause I think that's where you put it."
Max was about to say something snappy in return, no doubt, when they heard it. Her head snapped up. The door across the room creaked open. A mouse-y looking man stumbled in, no doubt alerted by the sound of Max's girly scream. He was wearing a security guard outfit, and shined a dim flashlight in her face. She glanced down at Max.
The guard couldn't see him; he was crouched down behind a large desk. Slowly, he peeked over the edge, shrinking back down immediately. There was panic in his eyes as he looked back up at his sister. 'Get rid of him,' he mouthed. Phoebe swallowed.
"W-w-who are you?" the guard demanded. His voice was weak, and the beam of light shook visibly.
Phoebe pulled on her brave face. "Ah, hello, citizen," she said in her best superhero voice. She placed her hands on her hips, making sure her cape fluttered a bit to get the full effect. "I am the Hero League's appointed protector of Hiddenville. I am here to investigate a suspected break-in. Your cooperation would be much appreciated."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Max facepalm, shaking his head. Phoebe discretely stamped on the hand he held himself up with. There was a deep sense of satisfaction watching him clutch his fingers in pain, desperately trying not to cry out.
The guard stepped a bit closer, light still solidly in her eyes. "Is that so?" he asked. He was no longer trembling. The closer he stepped, the harder it got to see. "I see. Well, in that case..."
Suddenly, a white beam of energy struck Phoebe dead in the chest. It didn't hurt per se, but her body felt like it was being dunked in ice water. Her head felt fuzzy, and her vision started to blur. Max watched with wide eyes, not sure what to do.
"You can tell the Hero League to stay out of my business. If this... thing doesn't kill you, anyway." The man shrugged, examining the device in his hand. "I really don't know what it does." With that, he turned his back.
Max bolted to his feet, ready to call out to the man, or freeze him, or something, but didn't get the chance. Phoebe wobbled on her feet, ready to fall. Max grabbed her, pulling her arm around his neck and holding her up by the waist. She was essentially dead weight.
As soon as he touched her, it was like an electric current ran through his body. His head felt cloudy, but he stayed upright. When he looked up, the 'guard' was gone. He sighed. "Come on, Pheebs," he said, pulling her along with him. "Let's get out of here."