Breathing hard, she finally reached the Lair's secret entrance, noticing that the mat that had given away its location last time was missing now. She passed through the holographic wall carefully, one hand held out in front of her, hoping he wouldn't think she was showing up late because of what had happened between them. The truth was that she was mortified about the way she had acted, but she was only late because she'd overslept. Darn that David and his stupid Valium.
The cab driver had given her a funny look when she told him to stop on the road that led to the abandoned power plant facility, far enough away that he wouldn't be able to tell exactly where she was going. She assumed Megamind still wanted to protect the privacy of his home base. Between hurrying the rest of the way on foot and being late and feeling nervous about seeing him again after the night before… She stopped just inside the doorway to collect herself.
A short laugh up rang out up ahead. Tensing, she held her breath, ears straining to hear more. He wouldn't tell Minion about last night, would he? She could feel her brow wrinkle in dismay, then shook her head. No, he wouldn't do that, she assured herself with greater certainty than she actually felt. And even if he did… well, you were acting like a total... She straightened her shoulders as the butterflies in her stomach suddenly seemed to go to war with each other.
Ok, you have to go in, she thought, still not moving.
Pinky flew in through the hologram behind her with a happy bowg. Startled, Roxanne ducked, a hand to her pounding heart. Rushing a few feet ahead, the bot paused and looked back at her mistress with her glowing red eye, waiting. Ok, ok. I'm coming. Finally she took a step forward, then walked determinedly ahead, following her bot.
Seeing the main command center up ahead, she spied him sitting in his leather chair watching three different morning news shows. The other monitors displayed the usual strategic views of the city. He was alone, coffee in hand, smiling to himself as he leaned back and listened intently, his booted feet resting on the edge of the console. Her eyes traveled down his slender legs, lean muscles defined by the skin-tight suit stretched over them. The thought of caressing those muscles… hard and fit… 'Something's getting hard on you…'
Oh my gosh. She felt her cheeks grow hot and put her hands to her face, fanning, hoping the blush wasn't too obvious. I can't believe I just took those pills without even asking what they were. And I can't believe I said that. As she realized he was still unaware of her presence, her steps slowed to a halt. She couldn't recall the last time she'd felt this shy about walking into a room. Come on… what's wrong with me? It's not like he didn't like it. And I am a professional, independent woman… who just happened to have made a fool of herself over this incredibly… hot, blue alien… begging him to take me like some kind of shameless…. She winced and palmed her face, then peeked out at him again from between her fingers.
He looked so relaxed with the cape spread out beneath him, its silky blue lining glowing in the light of the monitors, contrasting boldly with his black suit. Black gloved fingers curled round his mug as his wide green eyes remained intently fixed on a screen, dusky blue lips slightly parted but curving in amusement at something he obviously found funny. Unwittingly she tipped her head to the side trying to see his mouth better, thinking about his amazing kisses as her fingertips came to rest lightly on her own lips. His face was half hidden behind the edge of his tall collar, and she frowned. Something's different. She couldn't quite place what it was, being distracted again as his lips tightened, curving upward even more, crinkling his eyes. Then he chuckled to himself again over one of the broadcasts.
The news. She would be at the office right now working on her own story if it weren't for needing a couple hours to attend to this meeting they were to have. Suddenly antsy about getting behind in her work, she saw him look her way at last and tried to make it seem as though she'd just arrived, stepping out of the shadows. "I know I'm late," she began.
"Oh! I missed seeing you come in!" He jumped up and grabbed a chair that was nearby, drawing it closer to his and calling, "Minion! Roxanne is here!"
"I know," a voice called back. "Be there in a minute."
"I was watching for you, but I got distracted by these rather imaginative speculations on the news." He smiled and indicated the seat.
Noting it was the chair she had always been tied to, she paused, looking down at it.
"Oh! Whoops, I'm sorry. Uh…" He looked around but no other chairs were within sight. "Let me go get-"
"No, no. It's all right." She smirked and sat. "I'm used to this one." Gesturing at the screen, she asked, "What sorts of things have they been saying?"
"Well, of course the destruction of the overpass is the day's top story, and there are a lot of creative theories about how it happened. It seems no one spotted Hal yesterday, amazingly, and the police aren't talking yet. So they're calling it everything from a localized earthquake to sink holes to simply blaming poor engineering and shoddy building materials. Someone even went so far as to suggest it might have been caused by those pesky crocodiles I supposedly let loose in the sewers." He chortled at the silly urban legend. He'd never even considered doing such a thing. What good would putting his well-trained reptilian pets in the sewers do?
"Hmmm, well, I can't wait to get started on my own story. Between Sully and I, we can set the record straight firsthand. And we have Tom's photos to use as proof. Some of them anyway. I have to admit I'm feeling pretty anxious about getting back to work." She wondered what time it was and when the planner was going to show up. "You know I hate to be scooped."
"You have nothing to worry about. Just think, you have exclusive knowledge of the real story of how I saved the day, twice! Nobody else even knows about what happened at the statue yet. And having been forced to take part in the action once again, you have an angle on the whole event that no one else will be able to duplicate." She smiled at him, knowing he was right. "The planner is here," he added. "So I shouldn't think this will take too long before you can get on your way and back to what you do best." Then he asked gently, "Are you feeling all right? After last night? I mean! Not last night per se, but after yesterday's… ah, shock."
She quickly realized that far from giving her the ribbing she deserved, Megamind was trying not to directly allude to her drug-aided, uncharacteristic behavior. She had to wonder what he really thought of it all. "Yeah, I feel fine. Slept like a rock! I guess David gave me Valium of all things. So that's why it took me so long to get here." Mouth open to continue, she paused instead. "And also why… um…" She stopped uncomfortably and looked down at her hands. "About last night."
He hadn't expected to see her hesitate. Seem unhappy. Regretful? Oh. Maybe she really didn't mean it. Maybe it was the pills. And I just assumed… and then I told her that tonight… oh, he mentally groaned, I'm such an idiot. Of course she didn't mean it, and here she is trying to figure out how to get out of it. "It's ok," he assured her quickly, reaching to take her hand. "I know you… uh, you weren't quite yourself."
She looked up at him, clearly disappointed despite his best effort to sound indifferent.
"So… nothing we said last night was binding."
Wait. She gripped his hand tighter as they sat staring at each other, willing herself to speak but not able to. I meant it. I meant it all, Megs. I'm just can't stand knowing I let myself be that transparent. And vulnerable. They looked at each other, neither quite sure what to say next.
"Sir!"
Megamind made some small noise in his throat at hearing Minion call out and feeling Roxanne withdraw her hand from his grasp. "I'll be right back."
Roxanne watched him walk away, wishing she'd had the courage to tell him she really did want him to stay. Wishing that her fear of being laughed at and taken advantage of wasn't so paralyzing. I am such a wimp. She slouched in her chair, feeling like kicking herself. Then looking at his comfy black throne, she moved over to sit in it, running her hands over the high quality leather. Casually she swiveled it back and forth a few times and spotting his coffee cup she reached over to tip it her way, peeking to see if he'd left any of that energizing liquid behind.
"Good morning, Ms Ritchie! I can get you coffee if you want some." She looked up to see Minion carrying a loaded laundry basket and declined his offer. "Sir will be back in a little while. He's giving the planner a quick look around the Lair."
"Oh, he's here already? And getting a tour? I'm surprised Megamind would do that."
"Huh! He didn't have a choice." Minion explained. "Didn't he tell you? Apparently this guy is the biggest name in the city. As far as event planners go. Did Metro Man Day too, but this time he would only agree to do the museum opening if he was given a 'backstage pass' to the Lair first. So the mayor strong-armed Sir into letting him in. Guilted him into it really as part of the restitution he's supposed to pay back to the city. Like almost dying wasn't enough! And Sir tried to make it as unattractive as possible. Said the only way he was going to let him in was if we used the knockout spray and carried him in. Well, believe it or not, he was almost as excited about that as he was about coming here at all!"
Roxanne laughed. "Really? Wow. Must be a closet fan."
Minion paused, eyes rolling upward thoughtfully, one metal finger tapping his dome in the general area of his mouth. "Um, well… maybe a not-so-in-the-closet fan." He pointed at her and asked, "Have you ever met him before?"
"No, actually I haven't."
"Ah." He nodded. "You'll see what I mean."
Roxanne's eyes were drawn to the laundry in the basket. It was an oddly colorful assortment of items for two bachelors, one of whom was a fish who didn't wear clothing and the other a hard rock aficionado who preferred black. She spotted the edge of something pink and shiny. "Hey! Are those my pajamas?"
"Oh- heh heh! Yeah, I keep forgetting to tell you," Minion explained. "I think Pinky's a little confused about the whole wardrobe thing. We need to tweak to her programming. She keeps bringing your laundry here."
"Well, that explains it." Roxanne rifled through the basket he held, recognizing several more items. "That's my… and there's my shirt… There's quite a bit of my stuff in here. Socks, even? Minion, you don't have to do my laundry."
"Oh, I know. But since it was already here and you've been so busy, I thought I'd go ahead and get it started instead of just sending it back. I mean, I have a backlog of Sir's things anyway. I don't mind."
Roxanne smiled at her helpful little friend. "Well, thanks. That's sweet of you."
"No problem," he assured her with a grin. "And, while we're waiting for him, could I ask you to look at something? Some designs I drew up?"
"Sure."
He set the laundry down and led her to a small side room that immediately reminded her of her grandmother's sewing room. At least two older, industrial quality sewing machines were visible, one with something white bunched up under it, a work in progress. Drawings and notes were clipped here and there in a haphazard fashion. She spotted a dressmaker's form and several tape measures, fabric on bolts, spools of thread, scissors and zippers scattered in a semi-organized state around the room. All the usual textile accoutrements were present as well as boxes of spikes and studs and an impressive array of leather working tools hanging on a pegboard on the wall. The scent of fabric and leather, metal and machine oil hung in the air giving the room an unexpectedly homey feeling. Minion walked to a drafting table strewn with papers, motioning to them. "I've been working on ideas for a new outfit for him. You know, something heroic."
One of his boss's familiar black capes had been left draped over the table. She picked it up, moving it out of the way in order to study the ideas the creative fish had sketched. Some of the outfits he proposed looked very similar to what Megamind was already used to wearing. Some were far different. He'd explored various color schemes, deviating near and far from the black and blue that had been their standard for years but always including the lightning bolt in one form or another. She picked up one drawing of a bodysuit entirely in white, the splash of blue down the front its only color.
"I've started a prototype of that already." He pointed to the snowy fabric waiting under a machine. "Once I have the pattern perfected, I can just have the bots reproduce it. Remember the dream he told us about? That's what gave me the idea for that one."
She laid the sketch aside on the table, frowning slightly as she trailed her fingers down the dark leather she had draped over her arm, listening to Minion explaining enthusiastically about various design elements he liked to incorporate. Silently, the canny sidekick noted the way the reporter was unconsciously fondling the cape she held as he prattled on. Finally he stopped and waited for her opinion.
"Minion… I don't mean to cut down your work here. You have some wonderful ideas. Really, so creative. You could be a huge hit in the fashion world if you ever wanted to get into that." He smiled at the compliment. "But… none of these really seem like…" she motioned in the air, trying to explain. "Him. You know?" Her hand came down, resting on the mantle of the garment. That's what it is. "Where are the spikes?" she asked, looking down at it. They had been removed from the outfit she'd seen him in earlier too.
"Sir asked me last night to start taking them off his stuff. I've been working on it." Although Megamind hadn't specifically said so, Minion suspected the request was for her particular benefit as much as it was to tone down his boss's villainous image.
Roxanne looked down at the bare leather in her hands, then back up at the fish. "Don't take any more of them off. At least not unless he tells you to later, ok?"
"Ok." He wondered what she was going to have to say about the missing metal.
"Roxanne? Min-ion? Where'd you go?"
"Oh! The tour must be over." He motioned to the doorway.
Leaving the sewing room, Roxanne saw Megamind walking toward them with a man she'd never met before, wondering if she had worn that same dazed expression after waking up from a shot of their kidnapping gas.
"Oh my lord, that's some crazy shit! I may not even remember being here later. In which case I guess you'll just have to knock me out and drag me in again! Hahaha…" Roxanne studied with interest the person who had managed to throw his weight around enough to gain admittance into the so far impervious Evil Lair. "I haven't had a headache like this since that time I got a bad dime bag off one of my ex's! Of course he probably gave me that junk on purpose, the bitch."
The raspy, slightly lisping voice proceeded from a man in his mid-forties with a pudgy figure and a well-receded hairline, his mostly bald scalp shiny clean. Sporting a well trimmed brownish beard and moustache, he wore a small gold hoop in one ear as well and had dressed in a pink shirt and striped tie. She realized he was actually an inch or two shorter than her Napoleonic hero, which made him quite vertically challenged.
"Gawd! It's so dark in here! How do work like this? Unless those amazing eyes see in the dark… like a cat! Is that what it is? I mean, they're so luminous and glowing. I swear half my friends just want your gorgeous green eyes!"
Roxanne raised a brow in amazement that Megamind continued simply walking along unfazed by the man's random chatter and flirtatious pawing at his arm. This was the event planner the mayor had pulled strings for?
Finally noticing Roxanne and Minion, he rushed forward and grabbed her hands in his, an invisible cloud of expensive cologne billowing around him. "Oh hon-ey! There you are! You're really her! Rox-anne Ritchie! Oh my gosh, I'm so ex-cited!" His eyes swept over her boldly. "Look at YOU! Mmm!" He glanced over at Megamind and back at her again as though mentally pairing them. "Gawd, you two are precious…"
Why is he assuming we're together? Maybe from Tom's articles. Roxanne was about to correct his presumptions, when he interrupted, "Oh and I haven't even introduced myself yet. Sorry, I can be such a ditz, and I swear that knock up spray is like a bad trip! How do you put up with it?" he asked Roxanne. "Although I bet it's worth it…"
"Knock out spray," Megamind corrected, completely ignored.
"Between that and being here!" the flamboyant organizer gestured around grandly, "in the EVIL LAIR? I'm all flustered!" He turned to Megamind again. "You're not going to change the name, are you? Even though now you have to be the heeero?" He sneered the word and pouted as though it disappointed him. "I really, seriously think you should always call it the Eeeevil Lair. Ooo!" he shivered dramatically. "Oh, I get a little tickle just saying it, you bad boy!"
Megamind was starting to look flustered, his cheeks turning pinker than usual, so Roxanne spoke up. "Um, you still haven't introduced yourself. I would start, but you already know who we are."
"Oh gawd, I'm sorry! I'm doing it again. I'm Donovan Russell. Just Donovan to you, and of course I know who you are, you silly thing, You're the lucky newsgirl who gets to enjoy this blue demon on demand! I'm serious," he leaned closer. "How hard is it to keep your hands off that fine-"
"We're… uh," Megamind glanced at Roxanne who was blushing, unsure how to approach this breech of their relationship that so far they had tried to keep under wraps. He didn't want to make her any more flighty about the events of the previous evening until they had a chance to discuss them further. "We're not together." No, wait! Cringing, he peeked at Roxanne again. I hope she doesn't think I meant I don't want us to be together, I meant... ohhh... but we did agree to keep it secret for now... His fingers fiddled nervously.
"You're not together?" Stunned, the man looked from one to the other. "No, seriously." When they didn't answer, he conceded "Ok! Fine. I'll play along." He waved aside the interruption. "But I think I know the real sto-ry!" he canted with a saucy wink. "So! Let's get down to business!" Rubbing his hands together, he said, "First things first. What are you going to wear? Cause I'm thinking we should go all symbolic and significant and come up with some kind of white hat." He gestured at the de-gun and thigh holster. "It'll go with the whole space cowboy theme, too. Which I love, by the way!"
Megamind and Minion looked dubious. Roxanne could imagine what they were thinking. Donovan might be focused on his muscular thighs, but they knew that oversized cranium just wasn't made to be topped. Anything big enough to fit him would end up looking like one of those gigantic foam hats people won at carnivals.
"How about a white cape?" she suggested as temptingly as she could, thinking of him falling under her nose wearing Wayne's fur collar in the underground apartment of the little red schoolhouse. It had been obvious he coveted that cape for whatever reason. I think it's still in the van too. "I know the perfect one."
"Ooo! White cape! Very good, Roxanne… interesting idea, hmmm." Donovan stood staring silently then suddenly clapped his hands. "Ok! So here's how it'll play out." The basic program he outlined for the grand re-opening event met with a critical reception.
"Where's Minion in it all?" Megamind demanded.
"No offense," the reporter added, "but that sounds a lot like what they did for Metro Man Day."
"Yes! Thank you! … isn't it stu-pid?" Donovan complained. "I wanted to do it all differently. But believe it or not, I don't actually get to decide how everything goes, or I would have made this whole affair a lot more interesting. The mayor though. Oh, that man! He insisted, insisted, we keep the brick wall bashing and the curtain – which isn't that bad I admit. The curtain. Love the way it falls!" His hands imitated the motion of the giant curtain floating down in slow motion. "But even going so far as to script some lines for you? Just like Muscles Galore? It's terrible!" He shook his head. "But what the mayor wants…" He rolled his eyes. "He says it provides an element of 'continuity.' I was surprised the man even knew what that word meant."
Megamind snorted a laugh and tried to pass it off by rubbing his nose, which didn't fool Donovan.
"You see! The genius agrees with me. But anyway," he gave a dramatic groan and rolled his eyes again. "This is what we have to work with. How-e-ver! I do know how we can incorporate your little friend in his metal…" He wiggled his fingers at Minion. "…thingy. Because it goes right along with the rest of my idea. Which is to have you put on a display of your greatest talent, Mr. Mind. Oh lord, even your name is too much!" He clasped his hands together again and turned to Roxanne. "Are you really going to try to tell me… oh, never mind," he waved a hand at her dismissively and turned his attention to the new hero again.
"SO! What we are going to do… is! We are going to have you dance. Not like that god-awful monkey lumbering the he-man did up on stage either. You're going to dance your way into the hearts of your public. Dance into your new role!" Chin up, he threw out his arms dramatically. "Dance to show your pride in taking up your new responsibilities!" His arms dropped as he grimaced, "Gawd, responsibility sounds so boring."
"Dance?" Megamind repeated, somewhat surprised.
"Yes! You dance sooo well." He paused to look the alien's lithe body up and down with a lascivious smile, arms folded and a finger to his cheek. Megamind was beginning to feel distinctly uncomfortable when Donovan added with a flap of his hand, "And we'll have Roxanne join you."
"Wha-? Me?" Roxanne blurted out.
"Of course. Come on, can't you see it? It'll be interpretive, telling the story of his struggle to emerge and transform from villain to hero in one teeny, tiny, tidy, little dance number. Most of the stupids out there won't even get it, but I can tell you I'll enjoy it! Dancing is right up this boy's alley."
She held up her hands in mild protest. "Uh, yeah, but you see… I don't dance."
"You don't dance?" Megamind looked incredulous, wide eyed and shoulders dropping.
"Whaddaya mean you don't dance?" Donovan seemed confused.
"Well, obviously I mean… I don't know how to," Roxanne repeated slowly, beginning to feel a little defensive. "I don't dance. What's the big deal?"
"But honey, this a tragedy. You've seen him in action. How can Big Blue's girl not dance? The crowd expects it whenever he makes an appearance. Just between you and me, they love it! Can't get enough of him. And they're gonna love this! Even the ones that are too dumb to comprehend the significance." He took one of her hands between his. "And you have to be part of it. You're the lynchpin of the whole story. The whole reason he changed." As Roxanne tried to think of a way out of it, Donovan became more brisk. "Come on. I think you're just shy. Let's try it out, huh? Anyway, with moves like his, all you'll have to do is keep up!"
He grabbed her by the shoulders, positioning the two of them side by side. "Ok, so first, you're in opposition. Rivals! He taunts the crowd," he explained, pantomiming the villain's part, "and then you come up and try to stop him!" Demonstrating by stepping toward the ex-villain with a hand raised palm out, Megamind naturally picked up the cue and slid back with a few quick steps and a graceful defensive movement of his arms. "Ooo! Look at him go, right away! Oh, you are amazing," he fawned over his pupil.
Backing away, Roxanne protested, "Look, I can't-"
"Oh, yes you can. Now come here." Donovan took her arm and pulled her over to her partner. "Now, you're going to keep coming toward him, but he's going to spin you like he's drawing you in… and then he's going to push you away again. Cause we all know there's always been this delicious tension between you two, even when you were working against each other. So now try it."
Always been tension between us? Well, yeah, but how'd he know that? Has it been that obvious to everybody, Roxanne wondered? Megamind reached out to her despite her uncertainty, and she took his hand. With a twist of his wrist, he spun her quickly, making her fall against his shoulder. "Sorry, I thought you were ready," he apologized, catching her.
"I don't think I'm ever going to be ready for this," she muttered, straightening her blouse as he watched her, worried that she was being pushed too far. He didn't want to upset her. Not when they had left something so important hanging. Impatiently, he wondered how long this lesson was going to take.
"Ok, now, try that again. You just didn't quite get it…" Donovan suggested, wrinkling his nose.
She tried again, and again, but always ended up off balance or tripping over her feet or facing the wrong way.
"Um," their flustered teacher ran a hand over his head, disturbing what little hair he had, leaving it stuck out at crazy angles. "How about if he just turns you around himself instead?"
As Donovan tried to think of ways to simplify the steps without losing the integrity of his idea, Megamind was losing heart. He knew he was probably over-thinking why Roxanne remained just as uncomfortable as he was willing, but the tension between them that had been maddeningly evident from the moment she walked into the Lair was quickly eroding his enthusiasm. He liked the idea of dancing, and he certainly was keen to have her on stage with him. It tied perfectly into the minor change he'd made to the museum and had hoped to surprise her with tomorrow, and yet once again they seemed to be at odds. Had he turned her off, presuming too much? Dear god, it's a good thing I didn't stay last night, he thought, struck by the irony that sleeping with her might have meant ruining what they had gained so far. He felt weary from the mental gymnastics involved in trying to figure out these unfamiliar romantic quandaries.
It was the public's reception of her presence on stage that had Roxanne worried. Surely Donovan's choreography wasn't going to go over everybody's heads. Would there be a backlash of renewed interest in Tom's articles? Would seeing her with him make people wonder if she really had helped orchestrate Metro Man's demise? The stories accusing Megamind of brainwashing her or her having succumbed to some sort of psychological syndrome had finally died down. Wayne had better be ready with his explanation, she thought. And besides all that, the very idea of dancing up on stage in front of a huge crowd made her so nervous she almost felt sick.
Their cooperation deteriorated as each wallowed in uncertainty until their instructor lost his temper entirely. "Stop, stop! Ugh! Come on! You're as stiff as a couple of teenagers at a junior high prom! This isn't what I expected from the city's hottest couple… Wait." He stopped. "My ga-awd. Is it really true then?" His mouth dropped open. "Haven't you two been together at all?"
"Well," Megamind looked at Roxanne.
"I have some laundry that needs to be done!" Minion quickly made his escape, well aware of the can of worms that might potentially be opened. He'd been watching his two friends closely, aware of some new tension between them, wondering what had happened to cause the backslide. None of my business! I'm sure they'll work it out again. I'll just go listen to some Ozzy and do the laundry like the good little minion I am. He heard Roxanne mention as he left, "We did have one date." Yep. There's that can of worms, he thought, glad to be leaving.
The restaurant. Megamind's spirits drooped even more. Yeah, we have only had one real date. Maybe that's what's making her hold back. Does she need me to make it official? Do it right? Ask her out? Ugh! Of course! Why did I assume she meant anything she said last night when David had her doped up to the eyeballs? To him, it seemed like a step backward to start trying to date now, but if that's what she wanted…
"You mean you haven't even…? Oh my. The tension must be horrible. If I had to be around this all the time with no satisfaction?" he gestured at Megamind, making them both blush. "No wonder you're stiff!" He favored Roxanne with a look of pity. "So you only had that one date, huh. Well, what happened?"
They glanced at each other again. "We had a fight," Roxanne admitted baldly, the memory of the heartbreak from that night in the rain suddenly fresh again, adding to her embarrassment and nervousness.
Donovan gasped, hands clutched together at his chest. "Oh, my poor babies! You star-crossed lovers!" He reached out with great concern and touched Roxanne's arm. "What'd you wear?"
As she rolled her eyes, they both heard Megamind quietly answering as though to himself, "A dark plum colored dress and pearl earrings. It was about knee length, with a ruffled v-neck and a self-fabric belt at the waist that-" He stopped, seeing them both staring at him. "What?"
Donovan gave Roxanne a look. "Honey. We're going to need that dress! You still have it, right?"
She knew exactly where it was – balled up in a far corner of her closet, still lying in the same place where she'd angrily flung it after taking it off the night he'd torn open her heart. I never had it cleaned. "Yeah, I still have it."
"We'll go pick it up from your place as soon as we're done here. I need to use that for sure! It's part of your history together! Although you're over the fight now, right?" He looked from one to the other as they each fumblingly agreed that yes, that was certainly all over and done with, and swiftly realized he'd hit upon a sore spot between them. "O-kay then..." Quickly scheming a plan, Donovan was all business on the outside. "Let's try this again. Now… I know you can do this, Ms Ritchie," he scolded her in a sing-songy voice. "I think you're just holding oout on meee!"
Megamind's effort was now more fluid, supportive, careful. He watched her closely as they attempted to dance together, solicitous in his concern. He knew in his heart she wasn't over the hurt of that night from the way she carefully evaded his eyes.
Their teacher noticed his effort to gently draw her out without success as she fumbled yet again and drew back from him with a sigh. He finally cried out, "Oh for crying out loud! Will you just tongue her already and get it over with! I can't stand all this pussyfooting around! It's completely ruining my dance number! You're both going to feel so much better after you've just… argh! Put your hands all over each other! Just go for it! Go on!" He folded his arms as though he was waiting for them to comply right then and there.
Wide-eyed, they looked at Donovan and finally at each other. If only he knew… Roxanne thought of the night before and exactly where her hands had been and cracked the first smile, then finally began to chuckle quietly. Megamind's sheepish grin dissolved into a snicker that grew until it shook his shoulders.
Their instructor looked at them like they'd lost their minds. "Ok, I don't know what I said." He shrugged. "But it doesn't matter! Now that you're loosened up, let's try again."
Finally Roxanne managed to relax enough to successfully complete one part of the sequence Donovan had taught them, even though she and her partner were still grinning self-consciously the entire time. "Good! Oh see! I knew you could do this! Ok, on to the next part." They continued to practice until they heard a voice call from out of the room:
"Sir, you really need to empty your pockets more often!"
Why is he pestering me about that right now? Megamind turned Roxanne around himself again with an added lift, pleased to see her unfazed despite his improvisation. We can do this. He smiled at her. Dancing was something he'd always loved to do. And doing it with her made it even better.
"Oh, nice! I liked that! Keep that in there. But Roxanne, the footwork?" Donovan wrinkled his nose.
"I know… I'm hopeless."
"No, no… you'll get it. But I think you're going to need some practice. SO! What I want you two to do-"
"Sir! We have a slight problem!"
Megamind frowned. Minion's 'slight' problems never ended up being very slight. "We'd better go see what's up. I-" With a gasp he spotted Minion coming into the room, a familiar personage thrown over one hairy shoulder. "Where did he come from?"
"Found him in the wash." Carefully he lowered the man to the floor in a sitting position.
"Bernard?" Roxanne asked incredulously, moving over to try to revive the barely conscious curator as Megamind looked on, stunned.
I can't believe I forgot him.
"Who's this?" Donovan asked curiously as Roxanne gently slapped Bernard's pale cheeks, holding one of his hands. With a groan, he slowly came around.
Megamind watched, wringing his hands slightly over Roxanne's ministrations. She went to help him awfully quickly… no, Roxanne is simply helpful and sweet that way… but maybe seeing him again… Seeing his alter ego there, rightfully wearing the face he had used to woo the lady he loved made his heart sink. They look... nice together, he thought as Bernard's brown eyes blinked open and looked up at Roxanne, who smiled down at him. That's how we looked together. He could still see their faces side by side, reflected in the duck pond at the park, and wondered desperately what she was thinking.
"What the hell happened?" Bernard's nasally tone was as flat as ever. He put a hand to his damp hair and spotted Minion. "You – you hit me. With a stick."
Minion looked abashed at his knee-jerk reaction. "Heh heh… sorry."
Donovan whined, "I thought I was the first one in the Evil Lair!" He pointed at the dazed figure on the floor. "You mean he's already been here before me?"
Bernard looked around, frowning as he was finally coherent enough to take note of his surroundings.
"Ah, yes. Although he didn't know he was here," Megamind mentioned. "So, maybe it didn't count." He reached down to give Bernard his hand and helped to pull him to his feet. "Welcome to the Evil Lair, Ber-nard."
Ok, ok... the frustration is about to end for our couple. Don't send out a lynching party. The next chapter will have juiciness, I promise. And I'm determined to finish it up today and post before the week ends... even though I'm AS SICK AS A DOG! Fever 101, aches, chills, the whole nine yards. It hurts to type! Two of my kids are sick too. What fun... *whump* ...falls over and curls up in a ball on the floor. Somebody just shoot me now. Send a review to help me feel better, huh?