Shout out to my main Beta Emerald-Leaves you are the coolest person evar! And a big thanks to all of my lovely Beta's! You guy's rawk! XD And I get the files at different times, so dont worry I will make changes and update as I can!

Chapter 3: Discussions

Bernard Duner Glar hated lying to his best friend, but circumstances called for it. If this 'Roxanne' decided to, she could easily have Megamind under her thumb. He was lying to Megamind for as much his sake as Roxanne's. She would never be allowed to be with him forever. Bernard was just glad that at the moment it was only a passing fancy that Megamind seemed to have for the human girl.

Who knew how the King and Queen were going to react once he informed them of her arrival? She had not requested permission to land on their soil. And trying to convince them that she had no idea about the universe, and its many different cultures, was going to be like pulling teeth. It was hard enough being the only homo sapien on a planet full of blue people. Life wasn't exactly as easy as it could be. Bernard supposed that he could be one hundred percent truthful with Megamind, but he felt that if his friend knew all there was to know about his situation, he wouldn't be friends with him anymore. And he couldn't risk that.

He sighed before speaking aloud. "Well you should think about it, Megamind. And now to top all of this off, I have several meetings tomorrow! I'll have to go to your parents and try to smooth things over with them, then I have a meeting with the Metroalbec to also inform them that another 'human' is visiting the Glaupunk Quadrant because if I don't, they will whine about being left out! Not to mention what is going to happen to Roxanne. I mean, we cannot lie to everyone and just say she's from Metroalbec."

"Why not?" Megamind asked, lifting a shoulder and a fine eyebrow in unison.

"What do you mean 'why not'?' It is illegal, Megamind! And you know how much Tomen loves me. He would do anything to have the girl and I locked up where no one could ever see or hear from us again!" Bernard yelled, exhausted already from talking with Megamind. When trying to convincing the Prince of anything that was less than a positive result, he would continue to press until he got the result he desired. Now was no different, he was searching for the loop holes.

"So it's illegal, so what? That's never stopped you before. And what if I really do like her? What then? I could make her a concubine. No, not just a concubine, I would make her my official mistress. She'd like that don't you think? I mean what woman wouldn't? Look at me, bad, blue, brilliant— what's not to like? Oh yes, and I am a prince, mustn't forget about that part." Megamind seemed quite pleased with his idea, and was about to continue on how he would set her up in her own part of the castle with her own rooms and maids, when he stopped to focus on his friend's face.

Bernard's eyes were distant, his mouth slightly agape and his posture was fallen as if to say— 'I give up!'

"What is it, Bernard? Do you think mistress isn't good enough?" he paused to consider it, his right arm tucked under his left elbow holding it up. He lifted his left hand to finger his goatee absently and began to mumble idea's to himself.

"Megamind, are you serious? Do you have to have everything your way all the time? I mean, what if she isn't interested, honestly? Because she is a human after all. And I'm sorry to ruin your life, but we are different from you. What would your parents think anyway? I'm sure they would not be too thrilled. You are supposed to be the truce, and you know that," Bernard pressed, walking around Megamind to check in on Roxanne, who was now lying sound asleep on his bed in his room. He nodded to Minion who had taken it upon himself to sit and watch after her.

"Oh, hang the truce! I will do what is bound by duty. Don't you worry about that, Bernard. But I have a strange feeling about her. I can't describe it, but I can feel it in the deepest part of my heart. I've never seen a finer creature. I suppose that I'll have no choice but to stay away from her since she's kin to you. But do be warned, Bernard, I can only promise that. If the woman decides to come to me," he gestured to himself, a cunning smirk pulling the sides of his mouth slowly, his eyelids dropping in a feral gesture. "Well then, it's a whole new ball game. And I ask that you do not interfere."

"You know I will refuse to promise you anything. I learned a long time ago to never mince my words and to speak carefully. For word is law here, and I will not give you power over me by my own doing, Megamind." Bernard crossed his arms and thrust his head up defensively.

"Can't blame a guy for trying, can you? Have you heard from Prince Riesling?" Megamind asked and Bernard cursed him as his own face flushed brilliantly.

"You're a cad. And I am loathed to talk to you further because of that comment. I know you're changing the subject. And you are well aware that he was here yesterday. You saw him in the morning, and, if memory serves correct, you have a meeting with him again tonight."

"Oh come now, Bernie. I was only joking. But seriously, I know how you feel. Have you been able to talk to him then?" Megamind asked elbowing his friend, whose face was sour.

"Don't call me that. And no, I have not ever talked with him and you know that. I will never talk with him. So just end this stupid conversation." Bernard pushed Megamind out of his way and began to throw things into order around his lab, stacking various books and articles onto his shelves. "I regret telling you about that, and now I am very angry, Megamind, so if I were you, I would leave for a while. I'm sure you could be getting ready for your meeting, or perhaps a frivolous ball of some kind, rather than bothering me."

"Well, I suppose I could get ready. But I was hoping that she would wake up and kiss me goodbye before I had to head out. Or you could kiss me?" Megamind asked shoving his face into view of Bernard and wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

"That's not funny. Goodbye, Megamind." Bernard growled, throwing his hand out to hit the annoying blue prince, but Megamind dodged it just in time, laughing.

"All right then, I'm sorry!" Megamind opened the door again and informed his Minion that he would be leaving.

"I will remain here with Miss Ritchi, Sir. And once she wakes up, I will inform you at once. Would you like me to accompany you to the meeting?" Minion asked.

"Yes, I'm sure it would be best if you came. You'll probably have to go with Bernard tomorrow to meet with my parents and all of that." Megamind rolled his eyes. "But don't worry; I'm sure it won't take all day. And yes, if the woman wakes up, inform me."

Bernard watched Megamind wave goodbye and exit too happy for his own good. He then allowed himself to collapse into a chair. He had been working all day on cross breeds of different species of fauna from both of the planets. He didn't expect another human to just pop up out of nowhere. It had been nearly ten years since he'd spoken with any representatives from Earth. He closed his eyes, pulled off his glasses, and began to rub the bridge between his eyes.

A sudden loud ring disrupted his relaxation and he groaned. Just another day in the life of Dr. Glar. He reached over and pushed the red talk button. Instantly the communicator's screen lit up and his breath was taken from him again for the second time that day.

There, on the screen, was a human couple who were looking very worried. He braced himself, before asking, "Yes? Can I help you folks?"

"Dr. Glar! Thank goodness you've answered! My name is Edith and this is Marcus. Our poor granddaughter! She's lost, she fell through the portal. We didn't even think it still worked! But somehow she fell through; we don't know what to do! Marcus wanted to contact the King and Queen, but I thought it would be best to talk to you first," the woman said rapidly. Bernard held his hand up to prevent her from becoming winded.

"Whoa, whoa, slow down. The situation is already— and thankfully— under control. Or as much as it can be. Are you looking for a Miss Ritchi? About five foot five, short chestnut brown hair, bright blue eyes, about age twenty-six?"

"Yes! That's her, though she's twenty-eight, I believe," Edith commented.

"I thought she was twenty-two?" Marcus asked her, brows knitted together.

"No dear, she's twenty-eight," Edith said to her husband and then turned back to Bernard. "Dr. Glar, how is she? Is she scared? Is she hurt? Did they imprison her?"

"She's fine. Shocked, mostly. But she's resting on my bed. You both are very lucky she was found by a very trust worthy person." Bernard paused forcing them to ask him.

"Who found her?" Marcus spoke up before Edith had a chance to.

"Prince Syxus."

Both of the people on the screen seemed to still, as if mentioning the name of Megamind was something to fear. Just how much did this couple know? They weren't his contacts from when he was small. He really didn't know who they were.

"Th-the Prince! Well, is he around, I would like to give my utmost thanks for his help," Marcus gushed and Bernard seemed to relax. They knew who he was talking about and seemed to have a certain respect for him. This was more credit than he was sure Megamind deserved. Many people seemed to respect him with little knowledge of how much of a 'Play Boy' the prince really was.

"Yes, he managed to get her to me and now she is resting. I can have her contact you immediately after she awakens." Both of them nodded and continued to thank him. He continued, "Of course we have a few problems. I'm glad that you were able to call through to me. I'm not sure how you know me and how you have my number. So let's start there. Just who, exactly, are you two?"

"Boy, you cut to the chase, don't cha? We're former spies for Earth. Our official names I won't divulge, even though we're both retired. We were assigned to slip onto the soil of the alien territories in the Glaupunk Quadrant in order to assess how bad the war was. Once it was revealed that there would be no war, our missions were terminated," Marcus replied.

"That's nice and all, but the wars that never happened were many years ago. I don't see how you could still be alive," Bernard tested.

"We're alive for the same reason you are still alive, Bernard Duner," Edith clipped, and Bernard nearly fell out of his chair.

"They gave it to you too, huh?" he replied eyes narrow.

"All twelve of us. So I was right then, you were the child that was with us?" Marcus asked.

"Why did no one return for me?" Bernard couldn't help but ask.

"It wasn't our place to do so. They higher ups wanted you to stay with the aliens, to discover the secrets of their race in case a war ever did break out. But they lost communications with you. Hell, we only found out about you recently ourselves through the different channels," Marcus scratched his jaw in concentration.

"Well that's a stupid idea. Whoever figured that I would agree to such a thing? No one ever informed me of something like that. I was only a kid. I was scared shitless! You have no idea how life has been for me here. I may seem well off now, but that's only a disguise to the crap I have to take! And even if the humans asked for a favor from me, I'm not too sure I'd be inclined to offer help. So are you sure you didn't abandon Miss Ritchi to the same fate?" Bernard knew it was impossible. For one, the girl knew next to nothing about the customs. If Megamind hadn't gotten to her first, she would probably be in jail awaiting her death sentence.

"NO! We would never— Look Bernard, We're sorry for any grievances you may feel, but we didn't put you there. And to make matters worse, our portal has been disconnected for ages. We have been trying to get it to work all day, but there is just no way from this end. We can't figure out how to fix it. Marcus has been trying to get ahold of our contacts here to inform them of the situation. But I doubt they'll care much either." Edith tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"That doesn't make sense. How could the girl have arrived here if your portal isn't working? It would be impossible to travel. Someone had to have rigged it."

"We thought so too, but there is no evidence that it was even turned on when she fell through. Do you think it was something from your end?" Marcus asked.

"It's quite possible, but that doesn't make this any easier to accept. If it did happen on my end, then there is something very dangerous about to go down. Someone is trying to get through to Earth. This is speculation only, so don't go informing your 'contacts' just yet. We'll need more proof. I won't help you attack the Glaupunk Quadrant for no reason other than a hunch." Bernard slid over to his other desk and began to punch away at the keyboards there rapidly. He was trying to figure out if there had been an upset in the balance of the warp holes. Usually when one was used, there was a residue left in the universe for a certain time. Roxanne Ritchi had traveled far for an earthling and he was sure to find one.

But there was nothing.

"Are you sure it was that specific location? You're cow farm?"

"Of course, I saw her head towards the old oak, where the portal is, myself!" Marcus insisted.

"There is no residue left behind, Marcus. And that means that there was no travel. Roxanne wasn't teleported from your end. Someone plucked her from the sky, and made it seem like she was teleported," Bernard clarified.

The couple on the screen was stunned into silence.

"Do you mean to tell me, she was abducted?" Marcus asked.

"That's what it looks like, and for reasons unknown to all parties." Bernard sighed, what a long day. "You sure are damn lucky that she was found by the Prince."

She was dreaming of her grandparents' farm, of running wild through the tall grasses and just lying on the ground eating a Popsicle with her grandpa, looking into the sky at clouds and making objects from them. She was giggling at something her grandpa said and turned to tell him a secret when her eyes were met with a pair of startlingly green orbs, belonging to a blue-skinned man.

Roxanne's eyes fluttered open and she blinked rapidly trying to clear her vision. She looked around the room she was in and realized instantly that she "wasn't in Kansas anymore." The room wasn't large, but it wasn't cramped either. A desk with a large monitor and several keyboards lined one side of the room. Several bookshelves with papers and books strewn throughout them were across from the bed to her right. When she looked to her left, she found Minion's robotic body. But the fish in question was nowhere to be seen. The bed she was on was small though, about the size of a twin back home. The lights in the room were dim, giving a dark honey glow to it. She sat up slowly and pulled the covers back so she could stand. A voice made her scream:

"Miss Ritchi?"

"AH! Minon! I didn't know you were in there! Hey, hey. So this isn't a dream then, huh? I really am on a planet full of blue people with talking fish." She sat back down on the bed, contemplating the truth. "Wow."

"How are you feeling ma'am?" Minion asked.

"Oh, fine, I guess. I mean, I am scared a little. This is a lot to take in, you know? Where's Dr. Glar and the Prince?" she asked pulling the long sleeves of her top up to her elbows.

"Sir had to leave to get ready for a meeting with the other head royals. The Doctor is in the other room—"

"Well, the Doctor is here now," Bernard commented, leaning in the doorway on the doorframe.

"Doctor, I—" Roxanne began but Bernard cut her off.

"Oh, just call me Bernard when we're alone like this. I hope you don't mind, but you're going to have to pretend to be a relative of mine. Unless you'd like to face the gallows?" he asked walking into the room.

"No! I don't mind at all, I mean. I'm very grateful for your help, Bernard. This has been quite a shock. And forgive me, but I'm doing my best to not start screaming crazy right now."

"I understand. It's how I was when the realization that I would never again return home sunk in." He sat on the edge of the bed, and Minion watched them curiously.

"I-I'm never going to get back home?" she stammered.

"For the moment, I'm not entirely sure. I know that I could probably find you a way home easy. The real issue is the fact that you are not supposed to be here. You are here illegally, with no legal papers; you know nothing about the culture. One wrong word and you could be someone's slave for life. It's not as black and white as Earth tends to be sometimes. If you think that humans over complicate things, you're in for a rude awakening. Words are law here. Numbers are another language all together. The term, 'talking science' will destroy you if you cannot keep up. And you only know French and English. You'll need a permanent translator, and I can't follow you around and neither can Minion." Bernard sighed and tried to look away. Roxanne's face was easy to read and he wished that it wasn't.

"Roxanne, you're going to have to make some difficult decisions. I mean, if we can't get you home, you can't stay cooped up here for the rest of your life."

"But, Dr. Glar, you do," Minion chimed in. Bernard glared him back into silence.

"Do you think I wanted to end up on some alien planet? Sure, this is all amazing, but I don't want to stay here! I want to go home. The Prince said you could help me. Was he lying?" Roxanne asked, and Minion suddenly was upon her.

The robotic body contorted lightning fast into some kind of weapon. Long sharp ends pointed under Roxanne's chin and she could feel the cold steel press into her flesh. Minion's face was deadly, without a hint of the friendly servant a moment before.

"Calm down Minion! She doesn't understand anything and meant no offense! Tell him that Roxanne!" Bernard screamed to her.

"I'm sorry, Minion! I didn't mean what I said!" Roxanne replied backing away from the one creature she thought she could trust. Minion retracted his sharp metallic weapons and sheathed his teeth, which Roxanne had not noticed where protruding from his mouth in a fearsome gesture.

"I am sorry for that, Miss Ritchi, but Minions' protocol and all. I am not allowed to accept such talk within my hearing unless Sir has given me the command that you are more than just a woman. It's nothing personal, but perhaps I should wait outside," the fish replied and stood up, moving his body out of the door. He closed it quietly.

Roxanne's heartbeat was drumming in her ears. "Oh, god. How can I live here, Bernard? Isn't there something that you can do to save me? I don't want to die here!" The tears came and she swiped them in frustration. She hated crying, it was the biggest feeling of weakness.

"You can live just fine if you pay attention and only speak to certain people. I don't have time tonight or tomorrow morning, but tomorrow afternoon I'll go over everything that I can with you. You'll need to know customs, phrases, and above all, I need to tell you something important." He said pulling his glasses off.

"What's that?" she asked, leaning forward, her tears forgotten momentarily due to her curiosity.

"The Prince seems to be infatuated with you. So under no circumstances are you to agree to anything he suggests or says. Do you understand?"

Roxanne blinked a few times, had she heard him correctly? The Prince was infatuated with her? Well. What did that mean? "Are you sure? Why would he be—"

"You're a smart girl. And an above average woman, surely you don't need me to tell you all of the reasons why?" he asked curtly.

"No I mean, he's…. and I'm….. well I'm a human." This is crazy, she thought.

"Well, it's never stopped him before. Many of his conquests are his own. Women from Meganthem. But he has a few Metroalbec women too. You could be one of those conquests, and I'm not sure that's what you'd want. Besides, once he has you, he'll tire of you. It happens quickly. Don't challenge him, do not flirt, hell don't even converse with him if you can help it. I promise you once he has your word on anything then you belong to him, Roxanne. Do you understand?" Bernard asked seriously.

Roxanne didn't understand, was this Prince so… 'special?' He just seemed like all the other pig-headed, over confident, swaggering roosters she'd ever met. And yet, he did help her to safety. And without this rooster's help, she would be in a prison.

Bernard continued, "He almost always gets what he wants. To tell him no would be like a death sentence for the man. He'll try his best to talk you in circles. And here in this quadrant, word is law. So if you make a promise, or give your word—then you've lost. So under no circumstances are you allowed to give him anything. No promises, no matter how small. Not a kiss on the cheek, not even a hand shake. Just try to stay away from him. Trust me, he's a good person, but seems to leave his wits elsewhere when beautiful women are concerned. And he will stop at nothing to add you to his collection of rarities. Picture yourself surrounded by dozens of other women just like you. And, he'll never visit you after he owns you."

The picture that Bernard was painting for her seemed a very harsh reality, and Roxanne wasn't sure why he was assuming that she was going to easily fall into this Prince's hands. He seemed nice enough that they would probably make friends easy, but Bernard was leaving nothing to question. And nothing to chance. "Just how many women does he, 'own'?" she asked.

"A few. I'd say he is up to, oh, a hundred just about." Bernard replaced his glasses and sniffed his nose as if it were a small number.

"One hundred is a few? How can he sleep with all of them?" she gushed, probably more than she had intended to, but still, a hundred?

"I didn't say that he slept with them. I said that he forgets about them once they are his. They all stay in a separate area of the castle, away from him. They are, however, allowed to shop and do any number of things that as normal citizens would possibly not be able to do. And many of them are in higher standing than most royals. They can be seen at virtually any party they desire. But would you want to be thrown in among his masses of adoring whores ?" Bernard spat out.

"No. But who said that I was interested in him? I want to go home, Bernard. I'm not interested in staying here to become another whore for the Prince. Trust me. I value my career more than some man. And in order to do what I love most, I need to get home within the next few weeks if possible or I'll lose the new job that I just got. Isn't there any way to get me home?" Roxanne asked, her eyes big and hopeful.

Bernard sighed long and loud. "I'll do what I can. But you'll have to stay out of trouble."

"No problem," she said. She only wished that her voice hadn't quivered near the end of her comment.

Thanks again for reading and I hope I am not boring anyone? I realize that there is more actual talking than descriptions thanks to Dani Kin, and I am trying to balance it out rather than just throw it all at you at once. Let me know if this chapter was better? :) I will be fixing certain grammar mistakes and structure and updating as I get feedback from my Beta's. Like I said before I have about 5 Beta's helping me out! Thanks again you guys rawk!

Circus candies as always! Om nom nom!