Gru peered out from his disguise as a palm tree. The identification goggles clouded with moisture around his eyes, and he rubbed a finger under them in annoyance. It was a hot day to be on assignment, and the beach wasn't that great of a location. The palm tree next to his wiggled a little. "Do you see him yet?" Lucy's voice came through the intercom in his ear. There were kids playing and parents talking and sunbathing, but no mad scientist. "No," Gru rolled his eyes. "Why did Ramsbottom think he'd be at de beach anyway?" "There's a man people have reported to have been here almost every day, who has remarkable resemblance to Dr. Dubois." "I thought eet was pronounced 'Dooboys' or something," Gru shook his head. "It's French. 'DeVua' is the closest I can get to correct. I do NOT speak French, I'm not gonna lie, I failed that class completely in highschool…" Suddenly Gru's goggles beeped, the green computerized lines focusing in on a distant face. TARGET ACQUIRED. "…my teacher even thought I…" Lucy was saying. "Quiet," Gru stopped her. "My goggles gave de message, but I can't see heem clearly yet. Do you think you can geet heem closer?" "Oh. Got it." "And Lucy…" Gru sighed. "Be careful. Please?" He still couldn't forget the whole rocket, volcano, El Macho, purple minion incident. "Aw Gru. I'll be fine. Be back in a minute! Ooh! Take these!" Something slid into his hand. "What are dey?" "X-ray goggles! Well, see ya in a bit!" Remembering his first experience with Lucy's X-ray goggles, Gru shuddered. He wasn't about to use them at a crowded beach. That would be an image he would never get out of his brain! Bleagh! _ Lucy slipped out of the back of her palm tree, dressed in her usual blue sundress, sporting her matching sunglasses. As she rounded the trees, she stifled a giggle. Hers was thin, and Gru's was – well, it looked more like a redwood than a palm tree. Okay, time for business mode. Her eyes narrowed. This was the part that she liked. Even as a little girl, she'd been obsessed with spies. That hadn't changed. "Lucy, my goggles say that he's around the edge of that hotdog stand." "Okay, I'm headed that way," Lucy said, her voice professional sounding. "Well duh, I can see you." "Way to kill a mood, Gru," Lucy rolled her eyes and grinned. Crouching, she snuck from tree to drink stand, to potted plant, to tree, and then she was peering around the corner of the hotdog stand. There he was. Dr. Dubois was the scientist responsible for threatening the government and private citizens of the U.S. with a genetically modified version of some sickness that had been gone for so long, there was no known cure. Their assignment from the AVL was to bring him down – hard. Straightening up, Lucy walked casually around to the counter, and arranged her arms perfectly on the wood. She pretended to look at the menu, then sighed, looking around. With a smile, she made as if to walk past him, giving a fashionable stride in the heels she always wore. Purposefully tripping, she fell towards him. Lucy had been intending to bump into him, but he caught her by surprise. Literally. He caught her, and with as charming a smile as an evil scientist can give, helped her steady herself. Well, this wouldn't impede her at all. In fact, it was a good opportunity. "Aw, thanks," Lucy smiled, pushing her sunglasses back so they rested on top of her head. "That was a quick save." "My pleasure, mademoiselle," Dr. Dubois spoke, his words heavily accented. "Here, let me walk with you a bit. We can get acquainted better." "Well – why not?" Lucy winked, but inside she felt a touch of fear. "One sec." Bending down to pick up her purse, she whispered into the intercom. "Gru, I think he knows what I'm up to. Be ready. I'm bringing him back your way." "Got it. Lucy, if anything happens, run. Don't stop and fight!" "I'll be fine, Gru!" Straightening back up, she smiled at the doctor. He smiled back, but it gave her the creeps. She pretended not to notice anything was out of the ordinary, and started walking towards the palm trees. "So, where ya from?" Lucy asked brightly. "I live in town, actually. I work at a little restaurant by this beach." He replied. Lucy quickened her steps a little bit. Almost there. "That's cool! I'm an – " "AVL agent, my sweet?" He suddenly pulled his jacket back to barely show a pistol in his hand. "Don't move." "Oh come on." Lucy rolled her eyes. "Are you going to be that cliché?" Quick as a flash, she whirled out of the way. "Ah!" Dr. Dubois tensed for a second, then slumped to the ground. "Nice work, Gru!" Lucy called to the bigger palm tree. Gru emerged from behind it, looking smug. "Huh. Looks like he's been shot with a mild moose tranquilizer. Yeah, I'm winking because dat's what actually happened." "Aw, you copied me." "Ha. Sure. Let's get dis guy in de car." "Okay, partner." They got the scientist dropped off with the authorities and then headed for home. Lucy drove because they were in her car. And Gru knew he couldn't work all the buttons in it yet. "Oh!" Gru snapped his fingers. "I forgot. We need to pick up de girls from school." "Whoops! You're right," Lucy pulled into a parking lot to turn around. "Hey, that restaurant looks cool. Want to go there for date night?" Gru smiled over at the redhead as they pulled back onto the highway. He was so lucky to have her. This was their fifth date night. "Sure." Suddenly his phone buzzed. He looked at the caller ID. Steelville School System. "Oh no," he groaned. "De last day of school and someone's in de principal's office?!" "Sounds fun," Lucy teased. "Tell me about eet." Gru rolled his eyes and picked up the phone. "Hello, thees ees Gru." "Mr. Gru? This is Nurse Angela." "Whaaa – how – why – de NURSE?!" Gru yelled. "What happened?!" "Your girls are fine. Margo and Edith were in a fight –" "With each other? Margo?" He asked, confused. Lucy watched him out of the corner of her eye, concerned. "No, one of the other kids. They're a little bruised up, but they'll be fine. I assume you're on your way to pick them up anyway?" "We'll be there in just a minute. Thank you." "They'll be here with me when you get here." Dazedly, Gru hung up. "The girls were in a fight with someone. The nurse says they're fine." "All the girls?" Lucy said, confused. "Just Edith and Margo. I'm not surprised about Edith – that happens all de time. Margo? She's… gentle, she wouldn't do something like that." "Gru. Don't hurt the kid who did it." He visibly deflated. "Not even one freeze ray blast?" "Not even one. We don't need you almost getting arrested again." Seeing her point, he nodded reluctantly. "Fine, fine. Here we are." They pulled into the school complex parking lot. The school consisted of four buildings – the elementary school, middle school, high school, and the large gym. "I'll go get Agnes," Lucy said as they got out. Walking around to him, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You go get the girls." "Alright," Gru gave a small smile and walked into the middle school. Finally he got to the Nurse's office. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door. "Gru!" Edith's voice called, and he turned to see the small blonde tomboy waving at him from where she sat on an examining table. "Look at my black eye! It's awesome!" He blinked in surprise. That was one big shiner. "…Wow, dat's… amazing, Edith! Um, are you okay?" "Of course I am! I've just got a black eye and stuff." Edith grinned. For once her knit hat was off, and she had dirt all over her. He saw the hat tightly clenched in one hand. Gru chuckled a little bit. He turned around to see the nurse standing with Margo beside her. "Hey Gru." Margo smiled, but Gru wasn't buying it. Her hair was down and looked messy, hanging down just past her shoulder blades. Her glasses were a little bit crooked, and smudged with dirt, and he could see a tear track on her dirty face. Margo's t-shirt sleeve was ripped almost to the top, and she also had a few ugly bruises forming. His heart gave a pang, and he got on one knee beside her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, keeten," Gru said softly, pulling her into a hug. Feeling her shoulders tremble with sobs barely contained, he looked up, his face hardening. Whoever did this would pay. No matter what Lucy said. Suddenly his eyes locked with two wide, familiar brown ones. Shock was soon replaced with anger. Fire erupted in his stomach. Antonio.