Part II: Welcome, tourists.

Please note that this may be taking a bit of liberty with the real NYC-- but family was their and evidently the city was...not at it's best during the 1970's. Also, remember that for all they fight evil (sort of), James and Cindy come from an upper middle class suburban neighborhood in the 2020's.... so ah, past shock will be severe.


James looked out from the Alley. It looked like it was about 10:00 AM.

"We have a problem." He said.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Cindy said sarcastically.

"Beyond being stuck in the past." James gestured at his suit—the vest, shirt and pants. "This can sort of pass…but you're, ah…" He gestured at Cindy's suit, which, much like Shego's old suit, left little to the imagination.

"Well, I sort of left my other clothes, fifty years in the future!"

"No worries." James said, "I saw a clothing store—I'll walk in and get you some clothes then you change out here and we're home free!" Cindy glared but didn't see any better idea. James headed to the store, while Cindy waited, unaware that she was being observed.

Tim "Tiny" Tomkin was what was known as a "chickenhawk." His business was finding teenaged runaways and steering them into a profitable career for him.

He was not, it must be said, a Nice Person.

So when he saw that in-damned-credible girl standing in a swimsuit, he knew she'd be doing movies for him by the end of the week and with those curves up top (and bottom wasn't bad either) she'd be pulling in a ton of money for him.

And better yet, no luggage and just that Halloween costume, she had to be desperate.

"Hey, Cutie…" A voice said, and Cindy looked down at a….seedy guy.

There was no other description for him. How much hair gel does he use...and what's with all the gold chains? He sidled up to her. "I can see you're lost in the big city… and I can help you find a place to stay…and a Job." He paused, and suddenly Cindy felt a hand cup her ass! "And with curves like that down there, I think your career in movies will take off…especially-" He reached up and touched another place, this time higher up on her chest, "With these money makers…Call me Tiny, your new best friend."

James had just finished buying the goods, thanking God that the clerk hadn't bothered to check the date on his money. (to say nothing of the colors, or size, or art). He quickly headed back to the alley.

"Cindy, I found-"

"SOMEONE STOP THIS CRAZY BITCH!"

A seedy guy was up against the wall, his clothes smoldering, trying to glare at a very angry Cindy.

"Is she yours? You'd better call her off, before I decide to get tough!" He paused, "And these are my streets, so you better not try and muscle in."

James blinked. "What is he talking about?" He asked Cindy.

"He grabbed my ass!" Cindy snarled, "Not to mention touch-" She bit off the comment, going red, before returning to her normal 'all batteries ready to flambé, captain' color.

"What?" James said.

"Hey, a piece like that…you got good taste…" Tomkin's said, "If she's as good in the sack as she looks, I can hook you up with a producer…. Always a market for new actresses…" He stopped. Suddenly James' eyes flashed blue for a moment.

"Hold this, Cindy." He said. "I need to instruct someone in how they treat, and talk about, a lady."

"'Lady' yeah, kid, that's a rich one-Hey, what-LEGGO! PUT ME DOWN, OUCH, HELP!"

Moments later, Cindy and James exited the alley.

"There's a bathroom where you can change." James said, ignoring the crowd that was collecting behind them.

"What was that?" Cindy said, "I can defend myself."

"True, but what if he actually breeds and produces someone important? You might lose your temper and permanently deal with him." James said. "Besides, my way was better."

"Hmph." Cindy grunted, but then took James' arm. Actually it had been cute the way he'd immediately gotten pissed. Not for the threat, Cindy could have handled that…but she'd seen how James had started to glare when he noticed how that guy's eyes were roaming up and down Cindy's body, like she was a hunk of meat, not a girl.

He was still pissed, despite the lightness in his voice, she realized, feeling the tension in his arm. James almost never, ever got pissed. That was her department.

"Hey." Cindy said, "It's okay… I think you got him good."

"Well…" James said, forcing himself to relax, "I like to think I'm creative…"

"Where are we going next?" Cindy asked.

"Somewhere where we can avoid people like that." James said. He snapped his fingers, "I know, Time's Square! We went there once for New Years Eve—it's clean and patrolled and we can get something to eat."

"Cool." Cindy said, "I wonder if the Disney Store is there yet."

"I don't know, but it has to be better than this place." He said.

"Yeah, it does." Cindy said and then blinked and blushed, letting go of James. "But we'd better get me in these clothes first."

"Yeah. Here's the bathroom. I'll stand guard."

Back behind them, two beat cops looked up.

"so was it him?" The younger partner asked, looking up at the man, half naked and suspended from the top of the light pole by his underwear.

"Don't think so…he normally uses webs." He grinned, "But either way, I like it. Get the Camera, since we gotta take evidence before the fire truck gets here."

TBC.