I do not own these characters.

My Kryptonite

The next morning, Roger had awakened and gotten dressed before Dorothy. As he straightened his tie, he looked over at her still sleeping form. He had slept more peacefully with her there than he ever had. She mumble his name in her sleep, causing him to smile. The way he felt when he looked at her overwhelmed his heart. He had finally admitted to himself how much he loved her, but he still needed to admit it to her. He wanted to, more than anything, but it was overcoming his own walls that made it difficult for him.

He walked over to the bedside, leaned down, and gave her a kiss on the cheek before leaving his room. He got into his car and headed towards Leon's house. Leon had given him the key and he wanted to examine the house. In their rush to leave, Leon and Jane hadn't looked anything over and Roger wanted to see the state of the house himself. He parked his car outside of the house, and immediately went inside. There were pictures on the walls of Jane and Leon, as well as on a large table in the center of the hallway.

The entry hallway looked untouched, but as he went though the left archway into the living room, there were papers and books pulled from the shelves. He looked through the disheveled books and papers, trying to get an inkling of what they were looking for. Finding nothing of interest, he put the books back on the shelves and went back into the entryway. He spotted a cracked door down the hall, past the steps. Deciding to have a look, he walked down the hallway and pushed the door opened. It was obviously Leon's office, and his office was more torn apart than the living room.

The desk drawers were ripped out and thrown on the floor, there were papers spread out across the floor and books thrown from book shelves. Roger looked through the papers on the floor, finding that the papers were the shop's records of maintenance items ordered for the equipment Leon used. Picking up another pile of papers and examining their content, he began to contemplate what the burglars were looking for.

((These papers contain client payment information with ID codes but no names… Smart. Whoever broke in was clearly looking for some information on the shop. The other room wasn't nearly as bad as this.)) Roger thought.

He looked closely at the printed papers and frowned. The papers were clearly typed on a computer and printed out. The printer was there but there was no computer. Is that what the burglars were after? Were they hoping to find information on Leon's clientele? Or perhaps Leon himself? He took out his cellphone and dialed.

"Smith residence, how may I help you?" Dorothy answered.

"Dorothy?"

"Yes, Roger?"

"Is Leon around? If he is, can you put him on the phone?"

"One moment."

A few moments passed before Leon picked up the phone.

"Did you find something at the house?" Leon asked.

"Your office got the brunt of the break-in. I'm looking at some of the papers and I see they're printed but there's no computer. Were the papers printed at your house?" Roger asked.

"Yes. I keep a laptop that I carry between the house and the shop. I have my laptop with me now. I was working late from home and decided to work in the bedroom the night of the burglary."

"I see. That's good. What about these payment records? I noticed you didn't use any names only assigned ID numbers. Do you keep any records of names of the people who come to you?"

"No, not anymore. In the beginning, before all of the tension with my work, I used to keep files on every client that included the names. Once there was excessive negative attention, I went back through all of my files and replaced the names with ID numbers. I notified everyone on my client list before burning the old files."

"I remember you assigning Dorothy a number. So, I assume if anyone who comes to you needing maintenance or changes, they just gives their ID number and you pull the records up from that."

"Correct."

"Good. Do you think you can come down to take a look at things? Jane should stay behind for safety purposes. You have pictures of you and her throughout your home. Whoever did this now knows you two are married. If this is more than a scare tactic to get you to stop your work, it would be best if she remained in-doors as much as possible."

"I understand. I'll head out now."

"Norman will drive you in the town car."

After hanging up, it wasn't long before Norman had dropped Leon off outside of the house. Roger was waiting for him in the entryway.

"I looked around and only the living room and your office were bothered. You two were upstairs, so that seemed to have deterred them from going up there. The door was locked when I got here, as well as the windows, so I think it's safe to say they didn't come back while you've been gone." Roger said.

"Alright, I'll take a look around." Leon responded.

After about 45 minutes of examining the rooms, Leon rejoined Roger in the hallway.

"Anything missing?" Roger asked.

"The box that I keep the shop keys in… Usually. However, that particular night I was tired getting home and left the keys in my pant pocket when I went to my room. I normally put them in a small box that I keep in a locked drawer in my desk. A stroke of luck, if you ask me."

"Besides the equipment that you do your procedures with, is there anything else kept in the shop?"

"Not anything I could imagine that would be of use to them. There are no names or addresses in any of my records there… I suppose I'd have to think about anything that might be useful to them. I go to great lengths to keep my client's identities confidential."

"How easy is it to break into the shop would you guess?"

"Well, unless they can withstand enough electrical current to fry a robot, I'd say the chances are pretty low. There are metal bars on all of the windows and a metal gate that drops down at night in front of the entrance. Next to the entrance is the key lock that activates and deactivates the electricity as well as unlock the front door. The key isn't a regular key design, so there is no chance of lock picking."

"Impressive." Roger said with a grin.

"I should have made my house a fortress as well." Leon replied with a sigh.

"Faith in humanity isn't a bad thing. Sometimes humanity let's you down, but that doesn't mean you have to lose faith."

Leon nodded in agreement.

"So what else is on the agenda for today?" Leon asked, putting his hands in his pocket.

"Let's head back. I think there's nothing else to be done for today. If you figure out anything that would be useful to whoever did this, that would be helpful. Until then, just be careful. That's all that can be done at the moment." Roger replied.

/

Dorothy and Jane were sitting at the dining room table having tea and enjoying each other's company. Roger and Leon walked in to find both girls laughing.

"What are you talking about?" Leon asked smiling.

"Oh, just the two of you." Jane replied with a mischievous grin.

"But you're laughing." Leon responded.

"I know." Jane replied, before her and Dorothy burst into a fit of giggles.

Leon shook his head and Roger chuckled.

"You left very early, Roger." Dorothy said, looking over at him.

He could spot a hint of disappointment, and what seemed like sadness , in her eyes.

((I wonder what's wrong.)) Roger thought.

"I went to go check out the house. Nothing they wanted was there, but there must be something at the shop they're in search for." Roger replied.

"I can't imagine what would be useful, but if Leon or I think of something you'll be the first to know." Jane said, slightly frowning.

"Did you eat?" Dorothy asked.

"Not really, I grabbed an apple on my way out." Roger answered.

"You should always eat. It's not good to skip meals; you need your strength." Dorothy scolded.

Roger's eyes softened and he smiled at her.

"I'll grab something now. Thank you, Dorothy." Roger said.

"The shop's usually closed today, so I think I'll go find something interesting to read In your library. I'll see you guys later." Leon said, before making his exit.

Jane saw the way Dorothy and Roger were looking at each other and grinned. She took the last sip of tea before clearing her throat and standing up.

"I think I'll join Leon in the library. See you two later." Jane said, quickly making her leave.

Dorothy and Roger remained silent as they looked at each other. Both wanted to say something but neither was sure what to say. Finally, Roger spoke first.

"How did you sleep?" He asked.

"Peacefully." She replied.

"Good."

They both fell silent again. Dorothy was hoping Roger would finished saying what he was going to tell her the previous day. She wanted desperately to hear him tell her that he loved her, and Roger could see it in her eyes.

"Why didn't you wake me?" She asked, breaking the silence.

"I wanted you to get your sleep... I think I'll get something to eat now. I'll see you later." He replied, turning to leave.

"Aren't you… Going to… Kiss me? Or anything? Unless last night was a one time thing." She asked, a pleading looking in her eyes.

"Dorothy…" He said softly, as he walked over to her. She looked up at him and stood up.

"You confuse me. One minute you're affectionate, the next minute… I'm not really sure how you feel about me." She said, her eyes dropping to the floor.

"Dorothy… I-"

"I feel like your play thing." She interrupted, her eyes beginning to water.

"What? No! Why do you feel that way?" He asked frowning, placing his hands on her face and gently lifting her head to look at him.

"You only ever want me when I'm not around or angry with you." She said, tears streaming down her face.

He stood there frozen, still cupping her face. It killed him that she was crying over him. He hadn't stopped to think about what his behavior was doing to her. He was so caught up in his own uncertainty, that he didn't even realize what affect it had on her.

"I try to show you how I feel about you… I told you I love you but I guess that's not good enough. You must not love me like I thought you loved me… Like I hoped you loved me… Maybe I'm not good enough… Maybe you used to love me but not anymore." She cried, pulling away from him.

"Dorothy, don't-"

"No… Just don't. Don't touch me anymore or kiss me if you're not serious about me." She said, wiping away her tears.

Roger stood there looking hurt. His breath was quick and shallow as he tried to get a hold of his emotions. Dorothy turned around and began to walk away. A million different things ran through his mind to say or do. He knew he needed act, do something to prove he was serious about her.

"Dorothy!" He said firmly.

She turned around and was immediately met with his lips. She stumbled back, shocked, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her and held her to him. She wanted to push him away but she couldn't bring herself to. He pushed her against the wall and placed her hands above her head, kissing her with more passion than he ever had. Her knees felt weak and she quickly lost herself in the kiss. She kissed him back with as much passion as he kissed her. He made her place her arms around his neck, before placing his hands on her waist. He slowly kissed her more gently until he broke the kiss.

"You will never be a play thing to me. I can't not kiss you, Dorothy. I can't not touch you. I'm trying… I am really trying to tell you how I feel. I'm just… Not used to this. I've never been vulnerable like this before… It's not easy for me." He said gently.

"Roger…"

"I'm sorry I made you feel this way." He apologized, giving her a soft kiss before backing away from her.

"Roger, you're not going to-"

"Tonight, you can sleep in my room if you want." He said, interrupting her.

Her face broke into a big smile and she felt joy radiate throughout her. He might not have said "I love you" but the simple offer of her sleeping in his bedroom was a bigger step for him then met the eye. She walked up to him, smiling, and kissed him gently on the lips.

"Can I kiss you whenever I feel like it?" She asked, hope in her eyes.

He smiled and nodded. She smiled back, feeling her heart do cartwheels.

"I think I'm going to take a nap." He said, looking down at his watch.

"I thought you were going to eat?"

"I'll eat extra at lunch." He said, turning and heading for his room.

"Roger?"

He stopped and turned around.

"Yes, Dorothy?"

"The next time you wake up early and I'm with you… Wake me too.. I was worried when I didn't know where you were."

Roger smiled and nodded. He found her worry sweet and it felt good having someone who cared about him as much as she cared.

/

It was now dinner and the four had sat down to eat.

"Leon, tomorrow when you go to work Norman will take you in the town car. Jane, I think it's best if you stay behind." Roger suggested.

"I don't want Leon to be in the shop alone. I wouldn't feel right." Jane replied, frowning.

"I know hun, but it's for safety purposes." Leon said.

"I know it's for my safety, but what about yours? We've been doing this together for years, despite the opposition to your work. Even if no one knew I was your wife they could have still harm me regardless, simply to send a message. Someone should be in that shop with you. I'm going." Jane said firmly.

Leon smiled lovingly at his wife. Despite her efforts to be brave, he knew she was scared. The fact she was frightened and wanted to be there with him anyways, made him love her all the more.

"Alright, but we'll be using the new system I put in." Leon said.

"What's the knew system?" Dorothy asked.

"In case we ever felt unsafe, I installed a padlock on the front door that only opens on the inside. There's a hidden security camera with a sound system for intercom and a monitor in a hidden back room. The padlock can be opened from there. We'll buzz people in how we see fit." Leon answered.

"Good compromise." Roger said, taking a bite of food.

Dorothy looked at Leon and Jane and couldn't help but feel something inside towards their relationship. She didn't know what the feeling was, but she hoped that Roger and her could get to the point in their relationship that Leon and Jane were at.

/

Dorothy sat in front of her mirror in her nightgown and combed her hair. It was now close to midnight and everyone had gone to bed about an hour earlier. She smiled to herself as she thought about Roger's offer. Of course she knew she'd go to him, but she wanted to build his anticipation. She knew her not going to his room right away would kill him, and she didn't tell him she would be coming. She wanted to go to him immediately, but something inside told her to wait. She didn't want to always go running to him. She figured leaving him guessing would be better.

((That's what he gets for making me guess where we stood.)) Dorothy thought, chuckling to herself.

She looked over at the clock and decided until it was midnight before she went in.

/

Roger laid in bed awake, glancing over at the clock. He had expected Dorothy to have come by now, but she hadn't and it made him anxious.

((It's been an hour…)) He thought.

He began to wonder if she wasn't coming after all. Maybe she had changed her mind because of the distant way he had been acting before. He wanted her in his arms and he hoped she would come. Another minute passed that felt like hours, and he almost decided to give up hope when his bedroom door suddenly opened. He sat up and saw Dorothy standing in the doorway. Letting out a breath of relief, he smiled.

"Are you going to come in?" Roger asked.

She nodded and closed the door behind her. As she climbed into bed, Roger felt a burst of happiness. As soon as she was under the covers, he quickly pulled her to him. She placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arm around him. She looked at him, smiling, and gave him a kiss. He placed his free arm on her face and deepened the kiss. Once the kiss broke, she happily snuggled closer to him.

"I wish we could just stay like this." She said, burying her face in his chest.

As he looked down at her, he felt his heart beginning to beat faster.

((God I love her.)) He thought to himself. The thought made him smile. The more they were intimate, the more his feelings surfaced.

"Tonight… doesn't have to be the only night you sleep here." He said.

She looked up at him, surprised.

"It doesn't?" She asked.

"No… You can sleep here with me any night… Hopefully every night."

A smile quickly spread across her face as she giggled in delight.

((Maybe he will start to open up more.)) She thought, feeling hopeful inside.

"I'd love too." She said, happily.

"I'd love you to." He said, smiling gently at her.

She snuggled him some more and sighed happily. As they laid there in silence, Roger began to think about telling Dorothy he loved her. He had gotten the courage before, after she told him, but the interruptions had provided him enough room to overthink. He knew he loved her, and had said it to himself, but once he said it to her he knew their relationship wouldn't be the same. He wouldn't be the same.

((I need to tell her… if anything ever… I need to tell her.)) He thought, taking in a deep breath.

He watched as she drifted off to sleep and held her tighter. He laid there for a while, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what he was about to do. Swallowing hard and taking another deep breath, he gently nudge her.

"Dorothy?" He said, his heart beat quickening.

She was still asleep and he nudged her again, this time with more force.

"Dorothy." He repeated louder.

She stirred but still didn't wake up. He rolled her onto her back, rolling on top of her as her as he did. The motion woke her up and she slowly opened her eyes; looking up at Roger with both surprise and confusion.

"Roger… What are you doing?" Dorothy asked sleepily.

He gazed into her eyes and slowly lowered his face closer to hers, stopping when they were inches apart. Dorothy's heart began to race and her breath became shallow from anticipation. What was he doing? What did he plan to do? Roger was the reserved type; to get any sort emotion or affection was like pulling teeth, most of the time. Before her thoughts could run away from her, he finally spoke and uttered the words she had been longing to hear.

"I love you…"