FATR: Holy shit, Femme Mishima! I barely have the update on the internet for half an hour and you read and reviewed it? Goddamn, that really freaked me out. It was an exceedingly pleasant surprise, yes, but it really did freak me out. And as far as you are concerned, Doc Ock's Girlfriend, I am glad I could light up your day, if only for a moment. We are really nearing the end, now, people. This is the second to last chapter we are looking at here. I may do a follow up one shot, or add a chapter at the end, explaining what's going through Curt's mind in this scene. I more than likely will, actually, because I had a very definite idea about what was running through his head, and I doubt it will be easy to figure out in this context. You are welcome to guess. And, yes, I am still pumping the present day scenes full of symbolism. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I did. So, without further ado, on to chip chip number five!

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The scientist finally gives up any and all attempts to ward off the weather. He leans over the engine, poking and prodding here and there, unable to locate any specific causes of his car trouble. The wind gusts again, forcing its way under his coat and through his clothing, but he is so numb he doesn't care anymore. Not even the slightest tremor appears to rack his body. Finally completely and utterly fed up with everything he slams the hood down and places both hands on its surface. He leans there for a while, shoulders hunched, rain dripping off the brim of his hat. Who am I? What am I? I've always been defined by my intelligence. It's all I've ever had over my childhood tormentors. If I don't finish my work I am nothing... Droplets of icy water make their way down his cheeks. Rosie futilely drifts through his mind as he tears his hands away from their positions on the hood. He trudges back to the door, jerks it open absent mindedly, and collapses inside for the... The third time tonight? I can't just keep playing this game with myself. All this finnidling around is really just a stalling tactic. I have to make a decision, and I have to do it now. Otto leans back into the soft leather of the chair...

On the opposite side of Curt's desk. He had a nice office, and Otto said so out loud.

"Thank you," Curt laughed. "It's a little messy."

"You should see my office at home," Otto laughed. "There's a reason the only other person allowed in there is Rosie. It is beyond any form of help."

"I still would have picked up a little if I had known you were going to stop by after the talk."

"Speaking of which, how do you think it went?"

Curt raised an eyebrow. "Do you want my opinion as a teacher or my opinion as a friend?"

"Curt..." Otto warned jovially.

"Alright. I honestly thought it was a little dry," Curt admitted. "All of your fans were hooked, but..."

Otto winced. "You also thought it was bland, huh? I'm sorry I'm not much of a public speaker. I'm not used to having so many people staring at me." Or at least not lecherous young women who want to get into my pants.

"You did look a little nervous," Curt agreed. "But when you accept your Nobel Prize, you'll have to be prepared for a lot of attention."

Otto shifted in the seat. "I don't know about winning any awards..."

"You've already developed quite a following. Some day you'll be all over the news. I can sense it." Curt smiled and stood up. "I'm going to get some coffee. Would you like some?"

"Yes, thank you," Otto nodded. When Curt disappeared, Dr. Octavius sighed and slouched forward. Those eyes were burned into his mind. When he closed his eyes he could see them, glowing like a tiger's in the night. I don't want you! Get out of my head!

"Dr. Octavius," a bright voice sang from the door. "I was afraid you had left."

Otto's eyes flew open and he whipped around to see the girl from the front row leaning in the door frame. She wore a black fur coat and shimmery green tank top that showed her navel. Her breasts weren't particularly large but the top was so tight that... Oh, damn, do not go there, Otto, you are a married man. He gulped. "Can I... er... help you?"

"Some of the girls and I are huge fans. They were so bummed that they missed your lecture."

"What girls?"

"My sorority sisters."

"Oh." There was an uncomfortable silence. Otto feared what she may have really come here for then scolded himself for being so arrogant. This girl probably had some 21-year-old boyfriend, most likely a football player. Anyway, girls like her hadn't been interested while he was in college, Rosie hadn't belonged to any sororities, so why would they care now? "So... did you want an ottograph or something?" He laughed nervously.

"As much as I would love an 'ottograph,' that is not the reason I came here. You know why I'm here. You haven't decided what to do about it yet, but you know."

"I'm married," Otto protested, wishing this sorority slut would just leave off her advances and go back to her house to do... whatever it was those girls did. This plea masked as a protest seemed to have no effect of any kind. Just in time the sound of footsteps in the hall heralded Curt's return.

"Miss Windsor. What brings you here?" He asked, handing a coffee to Otto.

"I just came by to meet the great genius in person. I wanted to personally thank him for taking time to come here today. It was quite enjoyable. Do you really think you can come up with a renewable energy source that is completely environmentally friendly?" This last part was directed to Otto.

"I never said I myself was going to do it..."

She smiled. "A modest genius, no less. How refreshing. I know you will do great things, Dr. Octavius, it is your destiny." She reached out a hand to shake his. She wore sparkly green nail polish.

He stood up to accept the handshake and get her out of there before she said anything else really strange in front of Curt. As he brought his hand away, he felt something pass from her hand to his. He held on to it, not wanting Curt to see. Curt might tell Rosie, and he didn't want to get the young lady herself in trouble, either. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Windsor."

"Likewise," she nodded and turned to Curt. "See you later, Dr. Conners."

While she had Curt's attention, Otto pocketed the paper and resumed his seat. When the girl left he commented, "She's a little odd."

"She may be odd but she is a very bright student. In fact, it seems her sorority tends to turn out bright students."

Otto raised an eyebrow. "A sorority for the smart girls, huh? I can't remember anything like that growing up." He chuckled.

"Well..." Here Curt lowered his voice and closed the door. "They are all very bright girls but they tend to be a little... Some of them tend to be unnervingly clannish. Sometimes they..." He stopped as though reconsidering his words.

"Are they dangerous?" Otto asked, a hint of laughter in his voice.

Curt jerked out of his daze. "No, no, not dangerous. I mean, it's not like they're covering up anything. I just had an uncomfortable encounter with one last year."

Does he know? Otto wasn't sure why that freaked him out so badly. He definitely had no intention of seeing that girl ever again. "What happened?"

"I never thought I would say this, but they are too focused during class." Curt forced a laugh. "I thought perhaps Ms. Windsor was the reason you were so fidgety up there today."

"I didn't even notice her." Otto felt like he had 'liar' written all over his face.

"Yes. They do tend to blend in, don't they?" Curt responded quickly.

There was a silence. I think he knows. I think he knows. Why does that bother me so much? I have to find a way to get out of here. I can't seem too suspicious about it. I can't let him know... I mean think. I can't let him think that there is something going on. I have to... The clock ticked, giving him an idea. "Anyway, I guess I better get going. I have some bugs to work out of my tentacles." Why did you say it like that?

"What's wrong with them now?" Curt asked.

"The bottom left one is responding a little slowly to my commands, when it responds at all." Oh, you're really on a roll with this, aren't you?

"Oh, well, good luck to you on that. Let me know how it goes."

"Yeah. Talk to you later."

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FATR: It's getting a little weird here. The last chapter will be especially odd. You'll see what I'm talking about soon enough. Anyway, 'til next time, kiddies!