Chapter Two: Mr. Incredible Gets the Pre-Dinner Date Jitters

One Month Later

Bob shook his head, surveying himself in the bathroom mirror. "Why are you making me do this?

"I knew it would come down to you blaming me," his wife smirked. "Look, we can call his people and cancel. You know that."

"Yeah, but we'd be giving up. I'd be giving up. Again."

"Then quit complaining and fix your tie!"

Bob glowered. "I mean, is he really cured, or did he just throw some money at few choice orphanages to clear his name?"

"Perhaps a little of both, dear," Helen smiled, taking it in her own hands to fix his tie, since he was standing firm against the wall.

A pair of shoes against the back wall shifted.

"Violet, dear," Helen said calmly," Dad's very stressed. Could you give him a moment?" She opened the bathroom door and gestured for her daughter to follow.

Appearing slowly, Violet shrugged. Her black hair flowed in front of her face, but her posture had improved decidedly. "Fine, Mom. But are we going to die?"

"What, sweetie? No, of course not! Government officials will be present, outside, if Syndrome attempts any violence. You have to understand that your father has made a very big decision, a very good decision."

"I know. I still don't understand why we're having a psycho over for dinner, though."

"Oh, Violet. Bless you and your sensibility."

"I agree, Mom!" responded a blur. "I mean, Syndrome tried to kill us and all this kind of weird stuff, and plus he blew up our house and he—"

"Dash, I can't understand you when you ramble. Change your shirt—you don't want him to think he's better than us."

Violet and her brother gave each other Looks and left the room.

"Honey?" questioned Bob.

"Yeah?"

"Why are we doing this again?"

Helen shrugged. "I don't really know. But you said it yourself: if we back out now, we'll look like idiots."

Bob sighed. "We're inviting a murderer, failed kidnapper, and ex-Super villain to our house. I'd say we're idiots all ready."


AN: Ah, yes. The merits of A/U fic. "Why are we--" "Doesn't matter, it's alternate universe."