O.O; Uh. My extreme apologies for the lateness of this. It's not entirely my fault! I swear! Some of it was FF.nets. And most of it was my parents for not allowing me to be home for three weekends in a row. And then I have Guard Camp and and and.... Uh.. Okay. Enough with the excuses. I suppose you are all awaiting this wonderful chapter. So I'll just give it to you and tell you at the end what I wanna tell you, because it's about this chapter. Oh yeah... I got a new e-mail... DbleAAndie@yahoo.com, but my AOL instant messenger name is still DbleAABattery, or ShishkabobDuck. Whichever you prefer. We're getting rid of AOL, so yeah. Anyways... read on! And, by all means, enjoy!
Chapter 10
"Andie!"
What? Where am I? What's going on?
"Andie! Wake up! C'mon! You can do it!"
Who was that, and why the hell are they wearing a black face mask?
"Great... she's out of it." Terry muttered. It was that... or maybe she couldn't recognize him... He got an idea.
Gaah! They're peeling their face off!!! Wha... No... Wait? Who is that?
Terry smiled as some sign of knowing came to her face, and he watched anxiously.
...That's... wait. Who? I... I... I can't think straight!
Blinking, Terry watched as she then looked confused, and suddenly her eyes closed again. "Dammit!" he growled.
*** I think you know what the stars mean by now...***
The last thing I remembered before completely blacking out was someone trying to wake me up. That was it. Who or what it was was unknown to me at the current moment, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I knew it. I decided to look around, and my eyes creaked open a bit. Light flooded in, giving me a major headache and causing me to squint. One thing was for sure: I wasn't outside anymore.
Infact, that was actually quite a good question. Where was I? I sat up slowly, looking around. There was still a sharp pain in my stomache, so I didn't move too much. I placed a hand over my lower abdomen, and instead found that it touched a bandage. Blinking. I looked down to further inspect. Someone obviously cared... I was a cleaned up nice and purty. Weird.
I took it into consideration to find out where I was, but it wasn't exactly hard. After all, just take a glance at the wonderful ceiling full of stalagtites and I knew EXACTLY where I was. Plus, I could hear a low voice in the background talking to someone over an intercom, and when I turned, there was practically a museum of bad guys and a rather large computer that looked all too familiar, with an also too familiar obedient black Great Dane dog mix sitting next to the another all too familiar chair.
"AAH!" I shouted, jumping up off the table/bed I was sitting on. This was insane! What was I doing in the Batcave?! I thought for sure I would have been banned from this place! Apparently, though, my wondrous scream alerted quite a few people of my presence. Okay, it alerted the one that was there, and the one that heard over the intercom. If you don't know who's who, take a guess and I'm sure you'll get it.
Practically hyperventalating, I took a few steps back, taking reaaaaallly deep breaths in the process. This was crazy. This was wack. This was wild. This was... This was... This was GREAT! I was back in the Batcave, and I didn't even have to sneak in this time! Plus, I didn't have to pay for a hospital bill! Speaking of which, I checked myself over, examining the bandage around my waist, and then looking at my left forearm.
Wait a second. I must have been imaging things when I thought I got cut, because there wasn't a single mark on my left forearm. I blinked, checking it over. Not even a scar. I took into consideration that I was often an idiot, and maybe mistook my right arm for my left. I looked to my right, noticing nothing on that arm either. Okay, so maybe I was wacked up completely and imagined it all...
A weird noise that sounded like an airplane came down a tunnel close by me, and suddenly the Batmobile loomed into view. I jumped at the sight of it, for it had seemed that it had simply appeared in front of me. Then again, it was probably going pretty fast and I just didn't notice it.
Batman hopped out. Well, duh. I wouldn't exactly expect it to be Satan, now would I? He looked me up and down, almost worried. I raised a brow and took a step away from him. He was scaring me! What was with that look, anyway? He honestly couldn't be THAT concerned, now could he?
"Andie?"
"... No. I'm... er...! I got it! I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am..... DARKWING DUCK!" I was watched with stunned looks. Okay, so maybe I was the only one who thought it was funny. Or they didn't get it... I continued. "Sidekick to the infamous Batman who works behind the scenes, fixing all the technical goofs that neither of the idiots who are the Bat could get!"
Stunned looks turned to glares. Being glared at by the Batcowl was no fun, and Brucie's wasn't exactly entising either. I wondered what angered them more: the insulting of their intelligence, calling them wimps, saying they couldn't build a computer worth crap, going on abou who they are pitiful weaklings who could easily be cushed in the power of my hand, or the part about them being idiots... Who knew?! Okay, so maybe I didn't say half of it, but I was thinking it! Yes, more cocky things. But hey! It's a cartoon, isn't it? The only thing about it was they were rather silent afterwords. I shrugged, looking at the table I had been on, feeling rather happy for some reason.
For some odd reason, I figured by now I should be dead. I'd lost a fatal ammount of blood when I was stabbed, and I was blacked out for a lot of it. Not only that, but I was beginning to hallucinate. Plus, I had done a major no-no and broken into two heavilly guarded areas quite easily. The Batcave and the commissioners office. I could have sworn I got hurt once, but didn't. I felt like just growling at the taunting ways of the cartoon, but to my utter shock, I did... Only, not with my throat.
Both Terry and Brucie looked at me. I blushed a bright crimson, looking down at my stomache. Biting my lip, I looked back at them. "Guess I'm hungry..." It must have been a while since I last ate, but one thing was for sure. I didn't feel like burgers anymore. I felt like... FOOD. And endless suplly of it. Hunger was evil, I'll tell you that much.
After the two exchanged wary glances, Terry peeled off the Batman hood and sighed. "Let's go."
I raised an eyebrow. "No. I can handle myself! You have a job to be doing."
"McGinnis, you're dismissed."
"Brucie! I wanna go alone!" I whined, glaring at him.
"Sorry, Andie... We need to keep a good watch on you."
"WHAT?! I dun need to be watched! I'm a good girl!"
"Yeah, you are. But your sister isn't."
"Who cares about Tabby?! She just doesn't play fair."
"This isn't a game, Andie."
"I know, but I'm just trying to tell you I can handle myself!"
"From your last example you can't."
"I can too!"
"Right."
"I'm for serious! I can do it!"
"Andie, I'm going with you whether you want me to or not. We still have our own securities, too."
"You can trust me! I swear! Now, I wanna go alone!"
"You don't want to fall over from blood loss again, do you?"
"Brucie! Terry's being mean!"
"I am not! I'm only offering to help!"
"I don't want your help!"
"You're gonna end up needing it! What would you do if you needed it, and I wasn't there?"
"I won't need it, so BLAH!" I stuck my tongue out, refusing to talk anymore. I didn't need supervision! I wasn't a baby! I could handle myself, and I was sure of it, there was no way I was going to have Terry tail me. I'd just have to loose him. After I got out of the Batcave, that is. I dug through my memory banks as well as I could to remember them all, and which one would be the easiest to use. However, I knew Brucie wouldn't let me go THAT easily.
"Alright, well. That's all I need, thanks." I said calmly, smiled and nodded, turning towards the enterance that came out the clock. "I'll see you guys around!" My main goal was to be in the Batcave. And now that I was there, I didn't want to be there. It was, like weird. I was contradicting myself! But, at the moment, I didn't really care. I was hungry, again, and they were offering to babysit me just because of it?! I think NOT! Last time I checked I was capable of taking care of myself.
Which was exactly why I proceeded to head towards the clock. Yet, something told me to look back, even though I didn't want to. I wanted to make it simple, and show them I didn't care. I wanted to... keep my confidence. But, I looked back. And boy, was I glad I did. Terry was communing with Bruce and pulling out one of the bolos again. I took this now as my cue to high-tail it outta there. I wasn't exactly keen on being able to catch it again.
Biting my lip, I swiveled around again and made a dash for it. I heard The bolo swish through me, and I knew its aim was dead on. Gulping, I swiveled around just in time to see the smug joy on Terry's face.
***
I grumpily sat down in the chair that was politely pulled out for me, having just been unied from a bolo before entering the restaraunt that I was going to snap anyway, and glared across the table at Terry as he sat. He still had the joyous look on his face like he won. Okay, so maybe he did?! I didn't want to admit it though. Instead, I overexaggerated a sigh and leaned on the table, resting my chin in the palm of my right hand. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! I knew that it was a bad idea to attempt running, for it was not one bolo that was thrown at me ( by the way, that one was dodged...), but TWO bolos. They were getting smarter. So, there I was, enjoying glaring at Terry for the moment, who was rather enjoying himself. Annoyed, I waited for thhe waitress or something to come. While I was at it, I could probably run his creds dry with all the food I was gonna eat.
"Are you just gonna sit there?" He glared right back at me, arms crossed over his chest while he watched.
"I'm waiting for the waitress and some service, if you couldn't already tell." I retorted, rubbing my stomache. The bandage itched. Not only that, but I was hungry.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Mess with the bandage."
"Why?"
"You'll re-open the cut."
"It itches."
"Deal with it."
"No."
"You're never gonna heal."
"Oh yeah, and you're the expert."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Where's the service?!"
"Andie, for being a genius, you sure are an idiot at times-"
"Hey! I resent that!"
"-You have to go up and order."
I blinked, my mouth hanging open, ready for a comeback. What? Me, order? As in, I could go up and get food RIGHT NOW? I was gone before Terry saw me leave, your typical cartoon exit where the chair was left toppling on it's back two legs. Terry reached across the table and stood it straight while I was already in line, picking out something on the menu. Something healthy this time. Not so much grease. I voted for a sub sandwich.
Terry approached me, ignoring the freaked-out stares of everyone around. Boy, was he going to get hounded at school for my actions if anyone found out. Wait a second... So will I!!! I mentally slapped myself, groaning. Okay, so, no one would find out. I was pretty sure Terry took us to a place where he was sure no one from school went. He wouldn't want to get caught with me and not Dana, now would he? I was staring at him before I knew it, thinking about whether or not he would want to get caught with me. Not like it'd be a BAD thing. I think most guys would like to get caught with me. Then again, Terry? Get caught with me? I felt like slapping him, just because of the thoughts running through my head at that moment.
"Can I help you?"
Whoops! I was up for ordering. I shook my head, shuddering at the thought of Terry and.. nevermind, before looking over the menu one last time. "Uh... Yeah. Three foot longs, ham, everything on them, no jalepenos, no oils, and white bread. A large cola too, please!" I smiled, happy at my order, and turned to Terry. "Your turn!"
"Are you really going to eat three?" He kinda gave me the "evil eye" in doubt.
"Yeah. I ordered them, didn't I?"
Terry just shook his head and placed his order, being a wimp and only getting one sandwich. I sighed, going down the line and watching my sandwiches being made while Terry did the same, probably annoyed with the cred bill. Get over it, ya loser! You work for Wayne! He's probably the one paying for this!
My attention turned back to the sandwiches being made, and I grinned as mine were handed over the counter to me. I waited for Terry, being polite, and walking slowly, or at least, attempting not to rush. He watched me with an eyebrow raised, questioning my movement. Why was he acting so weird? Did I have something on my face? I shouldn't yet... I hadn't even taken a bite!
I plunked down at the table and unwrapped one sandwich, still being eyed by Terry as he slowly unwrapped his. He sure was a slow eater! By the time he had finished unwrapping his sandwich I was already halfway through mine without a single piece of savory goodness dropped. Boy, food was great right now. It filled the empty chasm of my stomach and gave me energy. Plus it tasted great! The mixture or mayonaise and ham and lettuce and tomato and everything else combined gave my tastebuds a whirl. Terrys eyes went wide as he went to take his first bite and saw me unwrapping my second.
"Whatareya lookin at, weirdo?!" I asked, holding my straw to my lips and taking a sip. Terry blinked, shook his head, and took a bite of his own sandwich. I paused yet another moment before picking mine up to watch him eat. Why is it everyone has a weird way of eating? I shook my head and dug into my second sandwich. erry, on the other hand, was taking his first bite.
"Andie, you really are starting to scare me."
"How so?"
"One minute you're... well, you, I guess, and the next you're insane."
"I'm not insane!" I paused, halfway through my second sandwich to give him an evil glare. He sighed and shook his head, taking a second bite. "Fine. Believe what you want, but I know for a fact I'm not insane."
He gave me a skeptical look from above his sandwich. "Don't most insane people deny insanity?"
"I..." So he had a point there. But I didn't feel like arguing. Instead, I took another sip from my soda while I crinkled my sandwich wrapper. If I had a fuel gage like a car, I'd no longer be running on empty, but I wasn't quite full yet either. Plus, Now that I at least had something in my system, I felt halfway better. Leaning back in my chair, I watched Terry take his third bite. He really was a slow eater.
"Are you full now?" He asked after swallowing his mouthful.
"No. Just enjoying the feeling of no longer starving." I rubbed at the bandage again, growing annoyed once more with it.
"Don't do that."
"I know. Don't rub the bandage. Well, you know what? It's sore as hell and I don't care."
"It'll just make it worse. I can't even explain how you're up and walking with a cut that deep, but you are."
"Well, I'm special." I smirked, sitting straight again, watching Terry take his fourth bite. "Why the hell are you eating so slow?"
"I'm not eating slow. You're eating fast."
"Sure. Contradict me to make yourself look better. That's just the way you are."
"Andie."
"Whatie?"
"We've been here about five minutes. You've already completely devoured two foot-long sandwiches and most likely half of a soda. I think you're the fast eater here."
I blinked at this, mouth hanging open. We'd only been there five minutes?! Okay. So maybe I was a fast eater! Not like anyone was keeping track of who was a fast eater, right? I bit my lip, glancing one last time at Terry before picking up my third sandwich and taking a bite.
"I don't see how you're doing it."
Now it was my turn to look over my sandwich to Terry across the table. "Doing what?"
"There's just something about you girls. You can eat whatever you want and always have room for more."
I thought about this a moment. "Quick digestive system due to high metabolism?" That only caused Terry to tilt his head to the side and stare at me blankly. I sighed as he shook his head and turned his full attention to his sandwich.
*** Uh... yeah... POV change... o.o; ***
Taking Andie out to eat was probably not one of the best choices Terry had ever made. She was proving to be weirder by the moment. Sighing, he took another bite of his sandwich while she devoured the last bite of her last sandwich. This was almost embarrassing. She was eating like a pig!
Luckily, he wouldn't have to deal with it for long. His cell phone rang, and for once in his life as Batman, he was glad it did. Not only that, but he had been putting it on silent lately so Dana wouldn't hear and get upset. He used the same excuse on Andie that he always used on her. "I'l be right back." His finger pointed, indicating the mens room, and Andie nodded, crumpling her paper and sipping her soda.
As soon as he got into the privacy of the stall, he answered. "Yeah?"
"McGinnis. There's something I think you should know."
"What now?"
"I was digging around in some files, looking up Andie to find where exactly she's from, when I ran into the search she was doing."
"And...?"
"Tabby is some part of Neogen Labs, yet when I looked it up I found nothing on the place."
"Strange. You did try a block, right?"
"No. Instead, I held a search of other labs in the area. Neogen isn't just one lab. It's parts of many from all over the place. Their goal is biologically engineering a super soldier... Someone strong enough to take on about twenty people of normal strength. They program them with personalities and missions, and send them out in pairs to test the designs. One of the pair will always know they were genetically engineered, while the other will be set in a situation with other lab members to be given a reason to do what they need. The one with the stimulated family is the true genius behind their operations. If the twin of the pair that is not a part of the family stays hidden, they can do anything, and only one person will be suspected."
"Wait a second... What are you getting at?"
"Think about it, McGinnis. If there is only one person who is normally a good being, and there is proof they were somewhere else while the crime was commited, the corporation could get away with just about anything. They haven't had a single failure yet, from what I found out on their net."
"What does this have to do with anything? You aren't saying that Andie and Tabby are...."
"That's what I'm getting at. I haven't found all the information I need, but just be careful. Andie is one of the twins."
"And to think I thought this phonecall was gonna be about another robbery."
"Go before she gets suspicious."
"Well, wait. Which one is Andie?"
"I'm pretty sure she has no clue she's genetically engineered, but if she keeps the hunt for her sister up she'll know soon. That might not go over well."
"Alright."
"I'll let you know as soon as I find out any further information."
Terry hung up, looking at his reflection in the mirror. This couldn't be good. Andie... A super soldier? But why was she in Gotham? What here was so special. Think, Terry. There's Wayne-Powers, Foxtecha, and a billion other large companies out there. Not to mention Arkham, where some of the most powerful loonies reign. Letting out a heavy sigh, Terry looked towards the exit, knowing as soon as he came back he'd see Andie there, acting like nothing was going on. But, what if she did know... what would he do then about being Batman, and her knowing?
For the moment he had t do some pretty damned good acting, like nothing was going on. He forced himself out the door, weaving his was around chairs and tables to find his way back to the table where Andie sat, by the door. She smiled and acted like nothing was up.
"Everything come out okay?"
Terry rolled his eyes at the comment and went to pick up his sandwich. He sent Andie an accusing glance once he discovered half of his sandwich was missing.
.~*~. Whee. Back to Andie.~*~.
I laughed at Terry's expression before tossing him the other half of his sandwich, which I had wrapped up nice and neat in a wrapper that would probably take him a few minutes to figure out how to do. For some odd reason he seemed to be farther away, but not like it mattered. I sighed, finishing off my soda, canting my head to the side while watching Terry. "What'd Brucie hafta say?"
He seemed alarmed at this question, but suddenly pulled it off cool. "What are you talking about?"
"C'mon! I know he called. You were checking your phone on the way to the bathroom a bit to much and you seemed a bit unsure to be around me when it went off the first time. You're giving out too many clues."
I watched him glare at me a moment, but I could tell his mind was working. Was he going to tell me or not, especially in a public place. I waited for an answer, resting my elbows on the table and peaking my hands to the tips of my middle fingers touched directly in front of my nose. "Well...?"
"He continued your search for Tabby and looked up that Neogen Labs to find it doesn't exist."
"But it has to!" I glared at Terry. It had to exist! I don't know how or why, but it had to!
"Sorry, it doesn't..."
"Then why the hell am I even in this damned place?!" I muttered under my breath. If Neogen Labs didn't exist, then why was I in a cartoon. It wasn't even that great of a place to be after a while. I mean, sure it was fun, but that didn't mean I wanted to be stuck in it! I glared at Terry, quite POed right now. He just gave me a blank stare.
Uh oh.
Did I give something away?
"What do you mean, why are you here?"
Not yet. A huge sweatdrop fell then. If Terry had found out he was a cartoon I don't think anything would have gone over well. Better cover up for it. "I mean that Tabby came here first, under some employer or something. I found that out after my first meeting here with her! If her employer doesn't exist, and I followed her here, then I'm probably just being led straight into something I'm most likely NOT going to enjoy." I sighed angrilly and growled, to add to my lie to make it seem true. Then again, the more I thought about it, the more it really was true. I did know she had an employer, but she didn't come here first. Okay, so only one part was a lie. The fact that I was the true Batman Beyond freak and I came here first, she just followed in my footsteps.
"Andie, do you forget who I am?" Was he actually trying to comfort me? Well, it probably would have worked over nice if I had at least a little comfort in this so far horrible cartoon experience. Okay, maybe not completely horrible, but I wasn't exactly enjoying it at this moment.
"How could I? I've only known who you are for what... a few months? How long ago was it..." I trailed off, thinking.
You should have seen how wide Terry's eyes grew. To think, someone knew his secret longer than Max! I knew he was going to ask how I found out, but the inner-cocky-me spoke up and said leave it at that and throw your trash away. I listened, picking up my sandwich wrappers and standing to go throw them away.
I felt Terry's eyes on me the whole time I was a total of five feet away, and then I turned around, finding them narrowed and watching me accusingly. It was hard trying to hold back a smirk. I was almost to my chair when the bell on the door rang, and girly laughter filled my ears. Continuing my trek to my chair, I instinctively looked up to see who it was, and tripped over my chair when I did. It couldn't be... No... Not here...
Tabby walked in with Dana, most likely pretending to be me. After all, we were twins. But, that currently didn't matter, because my chair caused so much commotion it made them look over, right as I landed, halfway on the table, the other half on Terry. And it just so happen, the way I landed... any onlookers would think we were kissing. My face turned bright red and from just looking at Terry's eyes, he was definitely shocked.
And then that voice... the voice of a bitch, rang out through the shop.
"Terry?! How could you?! Don't tell me this is your job! I can't believe you. It's over McGinnis. For good this time."
And in those ice blue eyes, more shock, and now accusation, aimed right at me.
Um. That's it for this chapter. Hey! It's seven pages! Get over it! Isn't it long enough?! Me sowwy... I'll write more. But I had fun with this chapter. Or rather, the end of it. Woohoo! Don't worry. The requested boxer scene is coming up soon. And yes, I do know that Andie is like... mega weird at some points... don't worry. I can explain... just... not right now. You dun want me to ruin it, do you?! Thought so. Okie. So, like I said, the Review Button is your friend, so CLICK IT. Okie? Oh yeah, Check out some of Lady Nova's fics... they ROCK! Okie? Oh yeah! How's the "romance" for all you who wanted it?! Is it good enough?! If not, there will be a slight bit more. Soon... just... not right now... Yeah... Um.. *Looks around, gulping, and runs before she gets attacked by angry reviewers, or maybe even a flame! AAAH!* Ciao for now, people!
.~*~.
Andie
.~*~.
Chapter 10
"Andie!"
What? Where am I? What's going on?
"Andie! Wake up! C'mon! You can do it!"
Who was that, and why the hell are they wearing a black face mask?
"Great... she's out of it." Terry muttered. It was that... or maybe she couldn't recognize him... He got an idea.
Gaah! They're peeling their face off!!! Wha... No... Wait? Who is that?
Terry smiled as some sign of knowing came to her face, and he watched anxiously.
...That's... wait. Who? I... I... I can't think straight!
Blinking, Terry watched as she then looked confused, and suddenly her eyes closed again. "Dammit!" he growled.
*** I think you know what the stars mean by now...***
The last thing I remembered before completely blacking out was someone trying to wake me up. That was it. Who or what it was was unknown to me at the current moment, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought I knew it. I decided to look around, and my eyes creaked open a bit. Light flooded in, giving me a major headache and causing me to squint. One thing was for sure: I wasn't outside anymore.
Infact, that was actually quite a good question. Where was I? I sat up slowly, looking around. There was still a sharp pain in my stomache, so I didn't move too much. I placed a hand over my lower abdomen, and instead found that it touched a bandage. Blinking. I looked down to further inspect. Someone obviously cared... I was a cleaned up nice and purty. Weird.
I took it into consideration to find out where I was, but it wasn't exactly hard. After all, just take a glance at the wonderful ceiling full of stalagtites and I knew EXACTLY where I was. Plus, I could hear a low voice in the background talking to someone over an intercom, and when I turned, there was practically a museum of bad guys and a rather large computer that looked all too familiar, with an also too familiar obedient black Great Dane dog mix sitting next to the another all too familiar chair.
"AAH!" I shouted, jumping up off the table/bed I was sitting on. This was insane! What was I doing in the Batcave?! I thought for sure I would have been banned from this place! Apparently, though, my wondrous scream alerted quite a few people of my presence. Okay, it alerted the one that was there, and the one that heard over the intercom. If you don't know who's who, take a guess and I'm sure you'll get it.
Practically hyperventalating, I took a few steps back, taking reaaaaallly deep breaths in the process. This was crazy. This was wack. This was wild. This was... This was... This was GREAT! I was back in the Batcave, and I didn't even have to sneak in this time! Plus, I didn't have to pay for a hospital bill! Speaking of which, I checked myself over, examining the bandage around my waist, and then looking at my left forearm.
Wait a second. I must have been imaging things when I thought I got cut, because there wasn't a single mark on my left forearm. I blinked, checking it over. Not even a scar. I took into consideration that I was often an idiot, and maybe mistook my right arm for my left. I looked to my right, noticing nothing on that arm either. Okay, so maybe I was wacked up completely and imagined it all...
A weird noise that sounded like an airplane came down a tunnel close by me, and suddenly the Batmobile loomed into view. I jumped at the sight of it, for it had seemed that it had simply appeared in front of me. Then again, it was probably going pretty fast and I just didn't notice it.
Batman hopped out. Well, duh. I wouldn't exactly expect it to be Satan, now would I? He looked me up and down, almost worried. I raised a brow and took a step away from him. He was scaring me! What was with that look, anyway? He honestly couldn't be THAT concerned, now could he?
"Andie?"
"... No. I'm... er...! I got it! I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am..... DARKWING DUCK!" I was watched with stunned looks. Okay, so maybe I was the only one who thought it was funny. Or they didn't get it... I continued. "Sidekick to the infamous Batman who works behind the scenes, fixing all the technical goofs that neither of the idiots who are the Bat could get!"
Stunned looks turned to glares. Being glared at by the Batcowl was no fun, and Brucie's wasn't exactly entising either. I wondered what angered them more: the insulting of their intelligence, calling them wimps, saying they couldn't build a computer worth crap, going on abou who they are pitiful weaklings who could easily be cushed in the power of my hand, or the part about them being idiots... Who knew?! Okay, so maybe I didn't say half of it, but I was thinking it! Yes, more cocky things. But hey! It's a cartoon, isn't it? The only thing about it was they were rather silent afterwords. I shrugged, looking at the table I had been on, feeling rather happy for some reason.
For some odd reason, I figured by now I should be dead. I'd lost a fatal ammount of blood when I was stabbed, and I was blacked out for a lot of it. Not only that, but I was beginning to hallucinate. Plus, I had done a major no-no and broken into two heavilly guarded areas quite easily. The Batcave and the commissioners office. I could have sworn I got hurt once, but didn't. I felt like just growling at the taunting ways of the cartoon, but to my utter shock, I did... Only, not with my throat.
Both Terry and Brucie looked at me. I blushed a bright crimson, looking down at my stomache. Biting my lip, I looked back at them. "Guess I'm hungry..." It must have been a while since I last ate, but one thing was for sure. I didn't feel like burgers anymore. I felt like... FOOD. And endless suplly of it. Hunger was evil, I'll tell you that much.
After the two exchanged wary glances, Terry peeled off the Batman hood and sighed. "Let's go."
I raised an eyebrow. "No. I can handle myself! You have a job to be doing."
"McGinnis, you're dismissed."
"Brucie! I wanna go alone!" I whined, glaring at him.
"Sorry, Andie... We need to keep a good watch on you."
"WHAT?! I dun need to be watched! I'm a good girl!"
"Yeah, you are. But your sister isn't."
"Who cares about Tabby?! She just doesn't play fair."
"This isn't a game, Andie."
"I know, but I'm just trying to tell you I can handle myself!"
"From your last example you can't."
"I can too!"
"Right."
"I'm for serious! I can do it!"
"Andie, I'm going with you whether you want me to or not. We still have our own securities, too."
"You can trust me! I swear! Now, I wanna go alone!"
"You don't want to fall over from blood loss again, do you?"
"Brucie! Terry's being mean!"
"I am not! I'm only offering to help!"
"I don't want your help!"
"You're gonna end up needing it! What would you do if you needed it, and I wasn't there?"
"I won't need it, so BLAH!" I stuck my tongue out, refusing to talk anymore. I didn't need supervision! I wasn't a baby! I could handle myself, and I was sure of it, there was no way I was going to have Terry tail me. I'd just have to loose him. After I got out of the Batcave, that is. I dug through my memory banks as well as I could to remember them all, and which one would be the easiest to use. However, I knew Brucie wouldn't let me go THAT easily.
"Alright, well. That's all I need, thanks." I said calmly, smiled and nodded, turning towards the enterance that came out the clock. "I'll see you guys around!" My main goal was to be in the Batcave. And now that I was there, I didn't want to be there. It was, like weird. I was contradicting myself! But, at the moment, I didn't really care. I was hungry, again, and they were offering to babysit me just because of it?! I think NOT! Last time I checked I was capable of taking care of myself.
Which was exactly why I proceeded to head towards the clock. Yet, something told me to look back, even though I didn't want to. I wanted to make it simple, and show them I didn't care. I wanted to... keep my confidence. But, I looked back. And boy, was I glad I did. Terry was communing with Bruce and pulling out one of the bolos again. I took this now as my cue to high-tail it outta there. I wasn't exactly keen on being able to catch it again.
Biting my lip, I swiveled around again and made a dash for it. I heard The bolo swish through me, and I knew its aim was dead on. Gulping, I swiveled around just in time to see the smug joy on Terry's face.
***
I grumpily sat down in the chair that was politely pulled out for me, having just been unied from a bolo before entering the restaraunt that I was going to snap anyway, and glared across the table at Terry as he sat. He still had the joyous look on his face like he won. Okay, so maybe he did?! I didn't want to admit it though. Instead, I overexaggerated a sigh and leaned on the table, resting my chin in the palm of my right hand. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! I knew that it was a bad idea to attempt running, for it was not one bolo that was thrown at me ( by the way, that one was dodged...), but TWO bolos. They were getting smarter. So, there I was, enjoying glaring at Terry for the moment, who was rather enjoying himself. Annoyed, I waited for thhe waitress or something to come. While I was at it, I could probably run his creds dry with all the food I was gonna eat.
"Are you just gonna sit there?" He glared right back at me, arms crossed over his chest while he watched.
"I'm waiting for the waitress and some service, if you couldn't already tell." I retorted, rubbing my stomache. The bandage itched. Not only that, but I was hungry.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Mess with the bandage."
"Why?"
"You'll re-open the cut."
"It itches."
"Deal with it."
"No."
"You're never gonna heal."
"Oh yeah, and you're the expert."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Where's the service?!"
"Andie, for being a genius, you sure are an idiot at times-"
"Hey! I resent that!"
"-You have to go up and order."
I blinked, my mouth hanging open, ready for a comeback. What? Me, order? As in, I could go up and get food RIGHT NOW? I was gone before Terry saw me leave, your typical cartoon exit where the chair was left toppling on it's back two legs. Terry reached across the table and stood it straight while I was already in line, picking out something on the menu. Something healthy this time. Not so much grease. I voted for a sub sandwich.
Terry approached me, ignoring the freaked-out stares of everyone around. Boy, was he going to get hounded at school for my actions if anyone found out. Wait a second... So will I!!! I mentally slapped myself, groaning. Okay, so, no one would find out. I was pretty sure Terry took us to a place where he was sure no one from school went. He wouldn't want to get caught with me and not Dana, now would he? I was staring at him before I knew it, thinking about whether or not he would want to get caught with me. Not like it'd be a BAD thing. I think most guys would like to get caught with me. Then again, Terry? Get caught with me? I felt like slapping him, just because of the thoughts running through my head at that moment.
"Can I help you?"
Whoops! I was up for ordering. I shook my head, shuddering at the thought of Terry and.. nevermind, before looking over the menu one last time. "Uh... Yeah. Three foot longs, ham, everything on them, no jalepenos, no oils, and white bread. A large cola too, please!" I smiled, happy at my order, and turned to Terry. "Your turn!"
"Are you really going to eat three?" He kinda gave me the "evil eye" in doubt.
"Yeah. I ordered them, didn't I?"
Terry just shook his head and placed his order, being a wimp and only getting one sandwich. I sighed, going down the line and watching my sandwiches being made while Terry did the same, probably annoyed with the cred bill. Get over it, ya loser! You work for Wayne! He's probably the one paying for this!
My attention turned back to the sandwiches being made, and I grinned as mine were handed over the counter to me. I waited for Terry, being polite, and walking slowly, or at least, attempting not to rush. He watched me with an eyebrow raised, questioning my movement. Why was he acting so weird? Did I have something on my face? I shouldn't yet... I hadn't even taken a bite!
I plunked down at the table and unwrapped one sandwich, still being eyed by Terry as he slowly unwrapped his. He sure was a slow eater! By the time he had finished unwrapping his sandwich I was already halfway through mine without a single piece of savory goodness dropped. Boy, food was great right now. It filled the empty chasm of my stomach and gave me energy. Plus it tasted great! The mixture or mayonaise and ham and lettuce and tomato and everything else combined gave my tastebuds a whirl. Terrys eyes went wide as he went to take his first bite and saw me unwrapping my second.
"Whatareya lookin at, weirdo?!" I asked, holding my straw to my lips and taking a sip. Terry blinked, shook his head, and took a bite of his own sandwich. I paused yet another moment before picking mine up to watch him eat. Why is it everyone has a weird way of eating? I shook my head and dug into my second sandwich. erry, on the other hand, was taking his first bite.
"Andie, you really are starting to scare me."
"How so?"
"One minute you're... well, you, I guess, and the next you're insane."
"I'm not insane!" I paused, halfway through my second sandwich to give him an evil glare. He sighed and shook his head, taking a second bite. "Fine. Believe what you want, but I know for a fact I'm not insane."
He gave me a skeptical look from above his sandwich. "Don't most insane people deny insanity?"
"I..." So he had a point there. But I didn't feel like arguing. Instead, I took another sip from my soda while I crinkled my sandwich wrapper. If I had a fuel gage like a car, I'd no longer be running on empty, but I wasn't quite full yet either. Plus, Now that I at least had something in my system, I felt halfway better. Leaning back in my chair, I watched Terry take his third bite. He really was a slow eater.
"Are you full now?" He asked after swallowing his mouthful.
"No. Just enjoying the feeling of no longer starving." I rubbed at the bandage again, growing annoyed once more with it.
"Don't do that."
"I know. Don't rub the bandage. Well, you know what? It's sore as hell and I don't care."
"It'll just make it worse. I can't even explain how you're up and walking with a cut that deep, but you are."
"Well, I'm special." I smirked, sitting straight again, watching Terry take his fourth bite. "Why the hell are you eating so slow?"
"I'm not eating slow. You're eating fast."
"Sure. Contradict me to make yourself look better. That's just the way you are."
"Andie."
"Whatie?"
"We've been here about five minutes. You've already completely devoured two foot-long sandwiches and most likely half of a soda. I think you're the fast eater here."
I blinked at this, mouth hanging open. We'd only been there five minutes?! Okay. So maybe I was a fast eater! Not like anyone was keeping track of who was a fast eater, right? I bit my lip, glancing one last time at Terry before picking up my third sandwich and taking a bite.
"I don't see how you're doing it."
Now it was my turn to look over my sandwich to Terry across the table. "Doing what?"
"There's just something about you girls. You can eat whatever you want and always have room for more."
I thought about this a moment. "Quick digestive system due to high metabolism?" That only caused Terry to tilt his head to the side and stare at me blankly. I sighed as he shook his head and turned his full attention to his sandwich.
*** Uh... yeah... POV change... o.o; ***
Taking Andie out to eat was probably not one of the best choices Terry had ever made. She was proving to be weirder by the moment. Sighing, he took another bite of his sandwich while she devoured the last bite of her last sandwich. This was almost embarrassing. She was eating like a pig!
Luckily, he wouldn't have to deal with it for long. His cell phone rang, and for once in his life as Batman, he was glad it did. Not only that, but he had been putting it on silent lately so Dana wouldn't hear and get upset. He used the same excuse on Andie that he always used on her. "I'l be right back." His finger pointed, indicating the mens room, and Andie nodded, crumpling her paper and sipping her soda.
As soon as he got into the privacy of the stall, he answered. "Yeah?"
"McGinnis. There's something I think you should know."
"What now?"
"I was digging around in some files, looking up Andie to find where exactly she's from, when I ran into the search she was doing."
"And...?"
"Tabby is some part of Neogen Labs, yet when I looked it up I found nothing on the place."
"Strange. You did try a block, right?"
"No. Instead, I held a search of other labs in the area. Neogen isn't just one lab. It's parts of many from all over the place. Their goal is biologically engineering a super soldier... Someone strong enough to take on about twenty people of normal strength. They program them with personalities and missions, and send them out in pairs to test the designs. One of the pair will always know they were genetically engineered, while the other will be set in a situation with other lab members to be given a reason to do what they need. The one with the stimulated family is the true genius behind their operations. If the twin of the pair that is not a part of the family stays hidden, they can do anything, and only one person will be suspected."
"Wait a second... What are you getting at?"
"Think about it, McGinnis. If there is only one person who is normally a good being, and there is proof they were somewhere else while the crime was commited, the corporation could get away with just about anything. They haven't had a single failure yet, from what I found out on their net."
"What does this have to do with anything? You aren't saying that Andie and Tabby are...."
"That's what I'm getting at. I haven't found all the information I need, but just be careful. Andie is one of the twins."
"And to think I thought this phonecall was gonna be about another robbery."
"Go before she gets suspicious."
"Well, wait. Which one is Andie?"
"I'm pretty sure she has no clue she's genetically engineered, but if she keeps the hunt for her sister up she'll know soon. That might not go over well."
"Alright."
"I'll let you know as soon as I find out any further information."
Terry hung up, looking at his reflection in the mirror. This couldn't be good. Andie... A super soldier? But why was she in Gotham? What here was so special. Think, Terry. There's Wayne-Powers, Foxtecha, and a billion other large companies out there. Not to mention Arkham, where some of the most powerful loonies reign. Letting out a heavy sigh, Terry looked towards the exit, knowing as soon as he came back he'd see Andie there, acting like nothing was going on. But, what if she did know... what would he do then about being Batman, and her knowing?
For the moment he had t do some pretty damned good acting, like nothing was going on. He forced himself out the door, weaving his was around chairs and tables to find his way back to the table where Andie sat, by the door. She smiled and acted like nothing was up.
"Everything come out okay?"
Terry rolled his eyes at the comment and went to pick up his sandwich. He sent Andie an accusing glance once he discovered half of his sandwich was missing.
.~*~. Whee. Back to Andie.~*~.
I laughed at Terry's expression before tossing him the other half of his sandwich, which I had wrapped up nice and neat in a wrapper that would probably take him a few minutes to figure out how to do. For some odd reason he seemed to be farther away, but not like it mattered. I sighed, finishing off my soda, canting my head to the side while watching Terry. "What'd Brucie hafta say?"
He seemed alarmed at this question, but suddenly pulled it off cool. "What are you talking about?"
"C'mon! I know he called. You were checking your phone on the way to the bathroom a bit to much and you seemed a bit unsure to be around me when it went off the first time. You're giving out too many clues."
I watched him glare at me a moment, but I could tell his mind was working. Was he going to tell me or not, especially in a public place. I waited for an answer, resting my elbows on the table and peaking my hands to the tips of my middle fingers touched directly in front of my nose. "Well...?"
"He continued your search for Tabby and looked up that Neogen Labs to find it doesn't exist."
"But it has to!" I glared at Terry. It had to exist! I don't know how or why, but it had to!
"Sorry, it doesn't..."
"Then why the hell am I even in this damned place?!" I muttered under my breath. If Neogen Labs didn't exist, then why was I in a cartoon. It wasn't even that great of a place to be after a while. I mean, sure it was fun, but that didn't mean I wanted to be stuck in it! I glared at Terry, quite POed right now. He just gave me a blank stare.
Uh oh.
Did I give something away?
"What do you mean, why are you here?"
Not yet. A huge sweatdrop fell then. If Terry had found out he was a cartoon I don't think anything would have gone over well. Better cover up for it. "I mean that Tabby came here first, under some employer or something. I found that out after my first meeting here with her! If her employer doesn't exist, and I followed her here, then I'm probably just being led straight into something I'm most likely NOT going to enjoy." I sighed angrilly and growled, to add to my lie to make it seem true. Then again, the more I thought about it, the more it really was true. I did know she had an employer, but she didn't come here first. Okay, so only one part was a lie. The fact that I was the true Batman Beyond freak and I came here first, she just followed in my footsteps.
"Andie, do you forget who I am?" Was he actually trying to comfort me? Well, it probably would have worked over nice if I had at least a little comfort in this so far horrible cartoon experience. Okay, maybe not completely horrible, but I wasn't exactly enjoying it at this moment.
"How could I? I've only known who you are for what... a few months? How long ago was it..." I trailed off, thinking.
You should have seen how wide Terry's eyes grew. To think, someone knew his secret longer than Max! I knew he was going to ask how I found out, but the inner-cocky-me spoke up and said leave it at that and throw your trash away. I listened, picking up my sandwich wrappers and standing to go throw them away.
I felt Terry's eyes on me the whole time I was a total of five feet away, and then I turned around, finding them narrowed and watching me accusingly. It was hard trying to hold back a smirk. I was almost to my chair when the bell on the door rang, and girly laughter filled my ears. Continuing my trek to my chair, I instinctively looked up to see who it was, and tripped over my chair when I did. It couldn't be... No... Not here...
Tabby walked in with Dana, most likely pretending to be me. After all, we were twins. But, that currently didn't matter, because my chair caused so much commotion it made them look over, right as I landed, halfway on the table, the other half on Terry. And it just so happen, the way I landed... any onlookers would think we were kissing. My face turned bright red and from just looking at Terry's eyes, he was definitely shocked.
And then that voice... the voice of a bitch, rang out through the shop.
"Terry?! How could you?! Don't tell me this is your job! I can't believe you. It's over McGinnis. For good this time."
And in those ice blue eyes, more shock, and now accusation, aimed right at me.
Um. That's it for this chapter. Hey! It's seven pages! Get over it! Isn't it long enough?! Me sowwy... I'll write more. But I had fun with this chapter. Or rather, the end of it. Woohoo! Don't worry. The requested boxer scene is coming up soon. And yes, I do know that Andie is like... mega weird at some points... don't worry. I can explain... just... not right now. You dun want me to ruin it, do you?! Thought so. Okie. So, like I said, the Review Button is your friend, so CLICK IT. Okie? Oh yeah, Check out some of Lady Nova's fics... they ROCK! Okie? Oh yeah! How's the "romance" for all you who wanted it?! Is it good enough?! If not, there will be a slight bit more. Soon... just... not right now... Yeah... Um.. *Looks around, gulping, and runs before she gets attacked by angry reviewers, or maybe even a flame! AAAH!* Ciao for now, people!
.~*~.
Andie
.~*~.