DISCLAIMER: I don't work/own IGPX, Production IG or Cartoon Network.

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CHAPTER 2:

Working in the garage at the bottom of Satomi Headquarters, Mark was busy at his station. He and his crew were working on Amy's mech; they were debating whether or not they should add a new set of legs to her mech. The old ones increased her agility, but had low defense; the new set increased her defense, but the agility would go drastically down.

"We still need her mech to be quick, but we also need to concentrate on how she can protect herself," Mark said.

"Mmhmm Mmhmm," his three-men crew agreed in unison.

"Amy's smart!"

The four men turned around and saw Johnny standing by the door with Miss Satomi. Mark nodded his head and grinned at Johnny.

"We all know that both her and Luca have a keen sense and quick wit, but we still need her to mech to withstand powerful blows."

"How is everything coming along?" Miss Satomi asked.

"So far so good. We managed to put in two new parts, but we're still waiting for the wireless security upgrades."

"Still waiting," the three mechanics said in unison, looking disappointed.

Johnny noticed Miss Satomi looking down and making a fist.

"Guys…we have a problem"
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Liz was sitting at her desk looking at pictures of the land she recently bought.

"My land…" she thought to herself, "…my 'expensive' land."

She knew it was worth it; bringing back her former home also meant bringing back the people who worked at the old orphanage and, more importantly, giving orphaned kids a place where they can feel safe and…loved.

Liz's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in," she said.

The door slid open to reveal Jesse holding a small tote.

"Hi ya, Liz!" she cheerfully said.

"Thanks for coming over, Jesse."

"Glad to help. Oh, and I haven't told anyone that I was coming over here."

"You sure?"

A look of hurt appeared on Jesse's face.

"Huh?"

"Well, you did send out Yuri to spy on us last night."

Jesse chuckled nervously.

"I-I'm so sorry for that! I shouldn't have done…"

"Forget about it." Liz interrupted, "Consider helping me out today for making up what happened yesterday."

Jesse beamed from ear to ear, feeling relieved.

"So, what do you want to work on first?" she asked.

Liz thought for a moment.

"Not much I can do with my hair and I'm not big on wearing jewelry, so I guess it's on to the clothes," she said, while walking over to her closet.

Jesse became excited as she remembered that Liz received a trunk-load of new wardrobe as part of her contract deal with Erin Aikins' clothing line. She was standing directly behind Liz, looking over her shoulders, anxiously awaiting to see what she had.

"Uh, Jes, I kinda need room here," Liz said to her.

"Oops, sorry!" Jesse said, stepping back a bit.

Liz dragged out box after box after box, all labeled with the Erin Aikins' seal.

"Have you seen or worn any of them?"

"Some, yeah, but only when I needed something for a photo shoot," Liz answered.
"Where are you guys going?"

"Out to eat at some restaurant; fancy or regular…I don't know."

Jesse frowned as she wasn't given a lot to work with.

"Well, I guess it's safe to wear something casual; something that will fit in either a fancy or regular restaurant," Jesse said, stating the obvious.

Both girls spent an hour trying on different clothes; from sheer to lace, from satin to even polyester. As a thank you for helping her out, Liz even gave Jesse two new sets of shirts and a beautiful silk scarf. Finally, it was down to the last box. Jesse was nervous while Liz was becoming frustrated.

"This is freakin' dumb."

"What is?"

"What we're doing; I didn't want to act this way."

Jesse stared at Liz, with a look of understanding on her face.

"Hey, Liz, no one is trying to make you any different than what you are. Wear whatever you want to wear, but you did call me to come over and help you get ready."

I know that, but this is all so new to me."

"You'll be fine, you're just a little nervous."

"I'm not nervous!"

"Yes, you are and I think it's so cute!" Jesse said, smiling.

Liz blushed as she was opening the last box. Jesse noticed a grin forming on Liz's face.

"I think I found something."

Jesse walked over to where Liz was and looked inside the pink and black box; she felt the fabric.

"Ooh…it feels so soft. What material is it?"

"It kind of feels like satin, but softer."

"Try it on!"

With Jesse facing the other direction, Liz took off her tank top and sweats, for what felt like the 100th time that day, and slipped into the new top and mini skirt.

"OK."

Jesse turned around and clasped her hands together; she was beaming from ear to ear again.

"Liz, you look beautiful!" she exclaimed.

"Knock it off," Liz said, blushing.

"No, really, you do! I have to take a picture!"

Jesse ran to where she placed her tote to retrieve her small camera.

"Jesse, please, it's not a big deal. No pictures."

"Why? Today is a special day."

"Jes, it's me and Takeshi, not the President and First-Lady."

"I know, silly, but it would be nice to take a picture for a memory keepsake. Aren't you a model now, anyway? You should be used to people taking pictures of you, Liz."

Liz looked at her reflection in the mirror.

"Jesse, I only became a model to…"

"Help out your old orphanage," Jesse said, finishing Liz's sentence.

"How'd you know?"

"We all figured it out during the All-Star Festival."

"Oh…"

"I think what you're doing is great, Liz! And…I won't take your picture."

Feeling relieved, Liz thanked her.

Jesse winked her eye and said, "I'll take a couple picture then."

"Jesse, we're going out on a date…a second date. We're not getting married."

"Not yet…" Jesse said, with a smirk on her face.

Liz sighed, "Look, I'm cool with you helping me and all, and I'm happy that everyone's happy that we're happy, but I don't like that, 'ooh, awww, mmm' type of thing."

"But you guys look so cu…"

Liz glared at her.

"…Uhh…never mind," Jesse nervously said.

Liz groaned.

"Now what's wrong?"

"I wish I knew where we were going. How can Takeshi be so dense?"

"What difference does it make? What you have on goes with…well, any place. And does it matter where you two go? As long as you're together, it shouldn't matter at all."

"Jes, that was cheesy."

"You like it and you know it's tru…oh, excuse me," Jesse said, when her cell phone started ringing.

Liz continued looking at herself in the mirror; she started to get a little nervous.

"We're going to have a good time. Everything's cool; it's all good," she thought.

"Hey, Liz, that was Miss Satomi. I gotta go."

"Anything wrong?"

"Don't know; she wants me to meet her at her office."

"Wonder why."

"I'm sure everything's ok, but I'm gonna head on over there after I help you clean up here."

"It'not a problem; I got it," Liz said.

Jesse was almost out the door, when Liz called out to her.

"Thanks."

Jesse grinned.

"Anytime. Have fun tonight!"

After the door slid closed behind Jesse, Liz looked at all of the scattered clothes, open boxes and tissue paper.

"Hmmm," she sighed, "I'll clean this up later."

She looked back in the mirror.

"Well, I do look pretty damn good," she thought, "As long as we're together…you know, I do like the sound of that"
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"So big bro', where are you taking Liz tonight?" Yuri asked Takeshi, while riding around on her scooter in his room.

"None of your business!"

"Aww, come on, Takeshi! I won't tell."

"No, Yuri. I want tonight to be special for Liz and me."

"After everything that I have done for you, this is how you treat me!" Yuri asked, looking very hurt.

"That's exactly, after everything that you allegedly have done for me, why I'm not telling you," he responded, while looking for something to wear.

Pouting, Yuri got off her scooter, and sat on his bed. She glanced at his table and picked up the puzzle that Liz gave to her to give to him.

"So, you've finally figured out this stupid thing, huh? Can I try?"

Takeshi looked over and spotted Yuri holding the puzzle.

"Alright, but don't break it or anything. It's mine and it's important to me."

"Geez, relax, I won't even touch it," she said, placing it back on the table.

"Ok, Yuri, I'm going to change."

"Takeshi, please don't wear that bow-tie with the suit," she said, when she saw him holding it.

Takeshi looked at her and raised his eyebrow.

"Why not? What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, if you want to look like a guy who looks like a little kid. It was cute when you were five; it ain't cute now."

"I look stupid with it?"

"You look stupid all the time, but more so, when you wear that."

"Get out."

"Fine. I try to give you some advice, and this is the thanks I get. No appreci…"

"Get out!" Takeshi yelled.

"As Yuri was leaving on her scooter, she stopped and smiled at him, while he had his back towards her.

"Good luck, big bro'," she thought to herself.

As if reading her thoughts, Takeshi, while still having his back towards her, said, "Thanks, Yuri…for the advice."

"Your welcome. Tell Liz I said 'Hi'."

Takeshi nodded his head and continued taking his clothes out. He checked his cell phone for the time and realized that it was almost time for him to meet her.

"Damn, I'm nervous! You can do this. Everything's cool; it's all good," he thought to himself.

Takeshi rushed in and out of the bathroom and was dressed in his black suit, with a white shirt underneath his jacket, within 15 minutes.

"This night will be perfect"

Takeshi left his house…on his way to meet Liz.

"Liz," he thought, "I'm going to meet up with Liz...I'm going to meet up with...my…my…girlfriend."

Takeshi smiled as the realization of he and Liz, as a couple, kicked in.
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I'm sorry that this chapter is long, and for some, maybe even boring, but I wanted to add some backstory to Liz and Takeshi getting ready for their second date. Chapter 3 coming soon. : )