Cortex and Cynthia laughed, having been hanging out for hours on end. The two were talking intensely about the past and what they had been doing most of their lives. The two of them had met during a high school project. At that time, Cortex was attending a 'good' school with his sisters because his mother frown upon his 'evil' ambitions. Eventually, Cortex left London without saying goodbye to Cynthia, not wanting to hurt her.

As they talked about their lives, Cortex had decided to leave out his years on the island and instead told Cynthia that he had been travelling the world. He also told her that he was a doctor of science and the only reason Nina went with him was because of Nacey settling things with her ex.

Cynthia stated, "After high school, I went to college and started to study accounting. Eventually got myself a job at a bank."

Cortex replied, "It's so interesting that you actually are good at bookkeeping."

Cynthia responded, "I am but it is a dying art, with computers taking over and everything. Kids these days don't seem to understand where we came from, you know?"

Cortex told Cynthia, sipping on his tea a bit, "I keep telling Nina the same thing."

Cynthia joked, "Well, nieces don't tend to listen to their uncles." Cortex laughed at that as did Cynthia. She stopped as she confessed, "I'm so glad I saw you today. You haven't changed, Neo."

Cortex commented, a bit nervous, "Well, I wouldn't say that exactly."

As far as Cynthia knew, Cortex had NOT changed, due to the fact that his mother wouldn't allow him to be 'evil' during his high school years. Surprisingly enough, no one could really tell the difference (except for his sisters) and Cortex did wind up joining the Drama Club.

Cynthia stated, "Oh come on, you've been a perfect gentleman tonight and yet you are still single?"

Cortex blushed a little bit as he replied, "I just haven't found anyone."

Cynthia was the one to blush now and responded, "Me either."

The two stared at the other, hoping that someone would make the first move. However, it was the waiter that broke them up.

The waiter stated, "Your check."

Cortex started to say, "Thank..."

That's when he looked at the waiter and saw Maurtiz's face. He jumped a mile high, gaining the attention of Cynthia.

Cynthia asked, worried, "Neo?"

Cortex quickly got out his money, frightened, as he ran out the door terrified. Cynthia looked at the waiter and saw a normal every day man. She got concerned, apologized for what had happened, and left.

Cortex had stopped running when he got to a park. He panted, scared. Why was he seeing illusions? Was he going mad because he wasn't going back to the island? Were Victor and Maurtiz really still alive? When he finally slow down his heart rate, Cynthia found him.

She asked, "Neo, what happened back there?"

Cortex started to answer, "Cynthia, I..."

Cynthia interrupted, "Did you jump a mile high at the waiter so you wouldn't have to kiss me?!"

Cortex tried to say, "No but..."

Cynthia started to say, "I mean I don't get you sometimes and..."

That's when Cortex did something that he'd never thought he would do. He kissed Cynthia. Cynthia's eyes flew open, instantly feeling fireworks as she returned the kiss. Cortex felt the same fireworks as the newly formed couple held each other close. Cortex was the one to break it, much to his dismay.

He truthfully stated, "I am so sorry, I just had a bit of an illusion from a lack of sleep. That's all it was, I assure you."

Cynthia relaxed as she replied, "Oh I am so sorry... How come you didn't tell me sooner?"

Cortex stroked her hair and responded, "I didn't want to worry you..."

Cynthia blushed as she looked deep into Cortex's eyes. That's when she kissed him passionately, the two making out a bit in the park. She was the one to break it, looking at him still. Cortex smiled, his heart pounding. He found his reason to stay...forever.

She commented, "I have to go home." She paused and asked, "When can I see you again?"

Cortex answered, "Tomorrow at the college. I think I'm gonna apply for a teaching job there."

Cynthia's eyes flew open as she started to say, "Does that mean...?"

Cortex stated, "Yes. I am staying."

Cynthia gushed gleefully as she gave him a kiss goodbye and headed home. Cortex floated on air as he returned home.

As Cortex entered his sisters home, he was surprised that Nacey was there waiting for him. He closed the door behind him, wondering if she was going to lecture him like their mother once did.

She asked, "Neo, where have you been all day?"

Cortex answered, "With Cynthia, if you must know."

Nacey stated, "Cynthia Crest? She's back in London?"

Cortex corrected, "She never left. Unlike me..."

Nacey started to say, "Neo, I think we should go back to N. Sanity Isle and..."

Cortex blurted out, "And do what? Cause more harm? Cause more pain? Cause more suffering? I've already done that enough, Nance. I'm tired of it. No, wait, I'm SICK of it. I just want to be normal for once. Not be the villain...not be the hero... Just me... Doctor Neo Periwinkle Cortex. And that's the way its going to stay, nightmares or not."

Nacey was stunned as Cortex went upstairs to his room, closing the door.

Nina came out of hiding and stated, "That didn't go over so well."

Nacey replied, "He has so many emotions on himself its not even funny."

Nina asked, "What are we gonna do?"

Nacey sighed as she answered, "Not much we can do. Just hope and pray that your Uncle Neo snaps out of this in time..."

Nina stated, "I still think we should tell him..."

Nacey replied, "We will, when he's ready."

A few days later, Cortex was at the University of London, speaking with the dean about a teaching job.

"Well," the dean stated, looking over Cortex's records, "These records are amazing Dr. Cortex."

"Thank you, Dr. Terrance," Cortex replied, a bit nervous.

Dr. Terrance closed the file and responded, "I like what I see. You're hired!" That's when he extended his hand and added, "Welcome aboard!"

Cortex smiled as he shook Dr. Terrance's hand, thrilled as said, "Oh, thank you, Dr. Terrance!"

'Guess knowing a few evil things does help,' Cortex thought, remembering what his original records looked like. Dr. Terrance showed him around, telling him all about the University of London and the people that he was going to work with. What caught his eye was a paper about Phoenix. Cortex's blood stopped cold as he couldn't stop staring at it. Dr. Terrance saw this and went over to him.

He asked, "Pretty good, huh?"

Cortex snapped out his trance and answered, a bit too quickly, "Yes, yes it is."

Dr. Terrance stated, "Took the world over in a day. Disappeared mysteriously as he appeared. I think the American government is trying to hide something..."

Cortex replied, walking away from the paper, "Well, you never know, right?"

Dr. Terrance agreed as they kept on walking, Cortex never even turning back to look at that paper ever again...

AK1028: Thought I also show that while Cortex was Phoenix that he did attack where he was from and just never remembered it. Cause I thought it was strange why Cortex would avoid England of all places. Anyways, please read and review! And always think outside of the box!