Violet didn't get much sleep that night. She laid in the uncomfortable bed, twisting and turning, but she just couldn't find rest. Every time she closed her eyes, images of Syndrome appeared before her, his evil grin taunting her to no end. She groaned and hugged her pillow, trying hard to think of something else. Pony's, rainbows, happy little goblins with pointy ears... Anything but him. It didn't work. He was still there. When she finally fell asleep, she had nightmares about him, nightmares about what would happen if his plan worked out. She couldn't let that happen. She had to stay strong, or at least pretend that she was. She had to win.
As soon as Violet woke up the next morning, she knew something was wrong. Tiredly, she turned over and opened her eyes, scanning the room. She nearly fell out of bed when she saw Syndrome sitting next to her.
"Good morning," he said casually. "Did you sleep well?"
Violet jumped up, clutching the sheets to her body.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" she asked, attempting to cover herself, hating the fact that he was seeing her in her pajamas. He smiled and leaned back in the chair.
"I just came in to check on you. See if there has been any side effects over night."
Violet eyed him suspiciously. "Why do you care?"
"I don't, really. But I cant have you dying. I don't want to have to find a new super. Not when I'm this close to succeeding."
Violet sighed and pushed her black hair behind her ear, giving her a clear view of him.
"Not really."
"Good, good," he said. "Now, get up."
"What?" She asked in surprise. "Why?"
"You need to come with me to the lab. I have to run some test, to see how the drug is working."
"Oh." Violet nodded slowly. "Okay."
"Come with me," Syndrome said as he got up and walked towards the door.
"I need to to get dressed."
He stopped and looked at her over his shoulder, a surprised look in his eyes. "What?"
"I'm not coming with you in my pajamas," she said. "I have to put on real clothes."
With a quick stride, Syndrome was in front of her.
"I don't have time for your girlish habits," he hissed and grabbed her arm, pulling her up to her knees. She gave a short gasp, but kept her fear hidden inside.
"Now," he said, "Do I have to drag you to the lab, or will you come freely?"
"I want to get dressed," she stated matter-a-factly. "Let me do that, then I'll follow you freely."
The look in Syndrome's eyes were confusing. He looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or yell at her. Violet held his gaze, not giving away any sign that she was scared. She wasn't going to play by his rules.
Syndrome couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was she actually giving him demands?
After a pause where neither of them said anything, he finally let go of her arm and stood up straight.
"Fine," he growled. "You have 5 minutes."
Violet had to repress a smile. She had won this round. She got up and passed by Syndrome, picking out some clothes from her suitcase. Then she quickly ran into the bathroom to change. As soon as she was in there, she leaned against the door, her heart racing in her chest. She felt proud. She had just stood up against Syndrome. And won! A small victory of course, but still... She sighed with relief and began to change.
Syndrome sat down on the bed, keeping his eyes fixed on the door. He couldn't believe he had actually allowed her to change. He was supposed to be in charge here, giving the orders and stuff like that. He wasn't suppose to give into her demands. She was his prisoner for crying out loud!
But, the fact that she had courage enough to stand up against him, actually made him feel a bit of respect for her. Not much, but just enough to let her keep her dignity and let her wear proper clothes. And, this was only a small thing. He was still in control, he still had the power to play her as he liked. He still had control.
5 minutes after, Violet returned, fully dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. She threw her pajamas on the bed and stood in front of Syndrome. "Ready to go," she said.
"About time," he hissed and grabbed her wrist forcefully. "Come with me."
Violet didn't object as he pulled her through the corridor. Although she was still feeling a bit high on her small victory, she couldn't let herself get carried away. After all, Syndrome wasn't the same person he had been 4 years ago. He had become more mature, more dangerous, and she had no idea when he would snap. For now, the best thing to do was to keep a low profile and just play along.
They reached the door to the laboratory and Syndrome dragged her inside. He was still mad at himself for letting her have control, even if it was just for a few minutes. He couldn't let her think he was weak. No, she was the weak one here. He had personally made sure of that.
"Sit down," he ordered, and pointed at the chair from the day before. She obeyed.
"Role up your sleeve."
"Why?"
"I need to take a blood sample," he answered. Violet winced. 'More needles,' she thought. However, she did as he asked.
She watched as the thin needle probed through her pale skin. She gritted her teeth, but didn't scream. However, she had to look away as the syringe was filled with blood. Syndrome noticed this.
"To much for you?" he asked, slight amusement in his voice. Violet just shrugged, but didn't answer.
"There!" Syndrome took the needle out and walked to his table. Violet stayed seated, watching him as he began to work. The minutes went by, and it seemed like he had completely forgotten about her.
"What now?" she asked, gaining his attention. He turned around.
"What?"
"What's gonna happen now? You expect me to just sit here?"
Syndrome looked at little bewildered, but then laid down the syringe with Violet's blood and walked over to her.
"Right. Come, I'll take you back to your cell."
Violet followed him back down the corridor. When they reached the cell, he opened the door and gestured for her to enter. But just as she walked past him, her stomach let out a growl. She blushed slightly, but Syndrome couldn't help but laugh.
"Are you hungry?"
She looked at him and nodded slowly.
"Fine. I'll get you some food."
"Really?" Violet's asked, and a genuine smile appeared on her face. However, when he realised what she was doing, she blushed slightly and lowered her head. "Okay," she said. "Thank you."
Syndrome closed the door and headed for the kitchen. What had just happened? Had he just agreed to get her food? Of course she needed to eat, but normally, he would have asked a guard. Why was he doing it himself?
'Screw it,' he told himself. 'It's just this one time.'
After a short while, he returned, carrying a bowl of oatmeal. Violet wrinkled her nose, staring in disgust at the food handed to her.
"Don't you have any real food?" she asked, poking it with a spoon.
"This isn't a hotel," Syndrome answered, sitting down on the chair. "You'll eat that, or you wont eat at all."
"Fine," she growled, and took a spoonful and brought it to her mouth.
"Are you gonna watch?" she asked as she noticed Syndrome's eyes were on her.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I need to make sure you eat. I don't want you to die of starvation."
"No?" she said. "Is that how your last super died?"
"Not really," Syndrome said. "He hanged himself."
Violet dropped the spoon. "He did what?"
"Hanged himself. Using his sheets."
Violet stared at Syndrome. He seemed to not even care.
"But... Why?"
Syndrome snorted. "One last hero act. He properly thought it would stop my plan if I didn't have him to test it on. Idiot!" he grunted and looked down.
"Who was he?"
Syndrome looked up. "Huh?"
"Who was he?" she asked again.
"Just an old super who had retired. You properly don't know him."
"Try me," she said.
He shrugged. "His name was ElectroDude. Heard of him?"
Violet shook her head. "No."
"Doesn't surprise me. He was before your time. He had some cool powers. I kind of liked him when I was a kid."
Syndrome got a distant look in his eyes, like he was seeing his own life playing before him on a movie screen.
It was like his hard facade faltered and his boyish look returned. He was clearly thinking about painful memories, and for a moment, Violet could have sworn she saw a flash of guilt replace the anger in his eyes. He almost looked ashamed of his actions.
"But he was a super. An arrogant, selfish super. They all are!"
"No," Violet said. "Not all supers are like that."
"Really?" he said without looking up, the tone in his voice hard enough to make Violet understand he didn't believe her.
'Poor guy,' she thought. 'To think that all supers are evil. His mind must be really screwed up.'
She continued eating, but still glanced at him once in a while. He was still staring blankly ahead, looking like a confused child. Violet couldn't believe that this was the same Syndrome as the day before. She almost felt a need to wrap her arms around him and comfort him.
'What! No, he is your enemy,' he mind screamed. 'He is a murderer, a kidnapper, a bad guy, and... really cute.'
Violet was completely taken back at her own thoughts.
'He is not cute,' she argued with herself. 'He is evil. Really evil.'
She lowered her gaze and covered her flushed face with her hair. She felt embarrassed at her own thoughts.
"Are you done?" Syndrome suddenly asked, breaking through her thoughts. Violet gulped down the last of the oatmeal and looked up, attempting to keep her voice from shaking.
"Yeah," she said. Avoiding his gaze, she handed him the empty bowl. He took it without further hesitation.
"I'll have someone bring you some dinner tonight," he said and opened the door. "And I'll properly come in here and fetch you tomorrow morning, same time."
"Why?" she asked.
"More test," came the short reply. And then he was gone.
Violet laid down, biting her lower lip. She didn't know what had just happened to her, or to Syndrome for that matter. How could he go from being evil to cute guy, just over night?
"Stop it!" she told herself. "He is not cute!"
'Although he has pretty eyes,' her mind taunted her.
"No!" Violet let out a desperate cry and covered her face with the pillow. 'I'm not thinking these thoughts. Its just because I'm confused and scared. Its just that. Confusion. And... teenage hormones.'
She rolled over and stared blankly into the wall.
"I hate him," she whispered. "I hate him, I hate him... I... hate... him..."
A/N: Tried making this chapter a bit longer. Hope you like it :)