A/N: Life. It makes you forget the things you were doing. Sorry about the extremely late update ladies and gentlemen! Many, many things have prevented me from updating like my uncle having heart surgery, moving out of my dorm, my summer job, and most excitingly BEACH TRIPS! WOO! Okay if there's no further ado I present Chapter Four!

Disclaimer: I own a quarter until payday and that's all.

Chapter 4

You will never get away with this! Our father will make sure of it!" yelled Violet to Syndrome.

The teen was bound to the confinement cell's wall by some type of special chains that cuffed around her wrists and ankles. Across the room was her brother Dash who was stuck to the floors by what seemed to be a glowing glue substance. The only one free to move was Jack Jack who was being held captive in a special bubble.

The redhead smirked at the girl's feeble threat. He then crossed his arms and leaned against the cold dark wall of the prison.

"Oh really? Tell me, who's going to stop me? You? Dash? Or maybe the squirt over here? Face it kid, your parents have no clue as to where exactly you are."

Violet said nothing while she glared at the villain. Syndrome smiled at her boldness and walked over to her.

"You know," he started. "I could really use you three in my organization. You and your brothers all have a certain spark about you that I like."

Syndrome then proceeded over to Dash looked amusingly at the boy, and rumpled up the youth's hair. Dash pulled away from Syndrome with a disgusted look on his face.

"Anyway, what I'm saying is I want you three to join me."

"What!" cried out Dash and Violet in union.

"Join me," Syndrome repeated with a wild look in his bright blue eyes. "I can give you things your parents could never give you! Money? Name your price! Fame? Yours! Power? Unlimited!"

"You're insane!" Dash interrupted.

Syndrome spun around making his black cape flare out in a wicked manner. His smile quickly faded and became replaced with indignation.

"What did you say?"

"He said you're crazy!" Violet screamed out.

Syndrome spun around now to face the raven haired girl.

"You are crazy! We would neverjoin you! You're evil and insane!"

Syndrome locked furious eyes with Violet while breathing heavily trying to suppress his anger. He took a deep breath and composed himself.

"Ouch," he said and whipped around to walk towards the cell exit. He stopped halfway at the guarded door, raised a gloved hand, and snapped his fingers. Immediately two beefy guards appeared and stood in front of their leader.

"Boys, you know what to do."

Both guards reached into their uniform shirt pockets and produced syringes filled with the Neutralizing Serum. The guards walked over to the children grabbing them roughly and injected each with the shot.

"If you won't join me, then you'll die with your parents," he said and turned leaving the children in the dark cell.

Walking down a dimly lit hallway, Syndrome turned to face an aristocratic doorway. Outside the doorway stood two gun-toting guards on each side. The villain paid them no mind as he turned the door handle and walked in his room.

His room was not that much different then his office. The floors were a hard green marble and the walls were painted bright white with gold leafing designs. His forest green velvet curtains were pulled back to allow sunlight to pour through the oversized windows. Near a fireplace stood the villain's four post bed complete with drapery and on the other side was a walk-in closet. Various paintings of great inventors adorned his walls.

The young man walked over to a large three mirror and studied himself.

You're evil.

Looking at himself the young man did not see someone evil. He saw the same person he had always been, only older. His face still had the same youthful glow it did as when he was eleven. With the only exception of a facial hair or two, he still looked like Buddy Pine.

You're insane.

Syndrome leaned in closer to the mirror and looked directly into his blue eyes. Even though he didn't want to admit it, there was a crazed look deep in those little blue spheres. A look he wished he never saw. He gave a slight gasp and pulled away from the mirror.

The mirror never lies his mother used tell him.

"Well it's not exactly the most precise either," the redhead spat out to no one in particular.

Mirage stood nervously near the dinning room windows. Her arms were crossed and she was staring at Syndrome's impeccable gardens outside the window. Lush greenery mixed with tropical colored flowers perfumed the air that wisped through the open windows.

The blonde sighed remembering when she lived on Nomanisan Island with Syndrome. It was their own private paradise. Mirage then tapped her foot on the ground and walked away from the window.

Where was Syndrome?

He had told her they would be dining together at six and here it was six-fifteen. Always the prompt one, Mirage had put on a jade dress with matching heels that her former boyfriend had left out for her, styled her hair in loose waves, and walked down to the dining hall by five-fifty. (Of course Mirage had two henchmen escorting her, compliments of Syndrome.)

Suddenly the dining hall doors swung open with a thud causing Mirage to spin around just as Buddy walked in. He was dressed in a black suit, complete with matching black shirt and a silk green tie to set it off. His hair was still styled spiky and the mask which usually donned his face was no longer there.

"Sorry I'm late," he said straightening his tie.

"It's okay," Madison said sarcastically placing her hands on her hips. "I've only been waiting here since five-fifty."

Buddy gave an apologetic smile then gave a double take on Mirage. She was wearing the outfit he bought her in his favorite color. He knew she'd look good in it but not that good.

"Madison, you look very beautiful tonight," he said taking her hand leading her to the dining table.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Buddy pulled out a chair from the table and Mirage sat down in it. He then walked over to the other side of the table and had a seat. At that exact moment a chef dressed in uniform came out with two plates of salad and set each plate in front of the diners. A butler then walked over to the table and poured both Buddy and Madison a glass of white wine.

"I'm really pleased you chose to dine with me, Madison," the young man admitted softly to his company.

The blonde looked at him and gave a slight smile. She then grabbed her eating utensils and cut into her salad.

"So, Buddy," she paused. Saying his real name sounded foreign to her after not saying it for so long. "Why were you late to dinner?"

Syndrome swallowed his mouthful of salad and looked up at Mirage who was holding her wine glass. She looked amusingly at him waiting for a response.

"You know business matters and stuff like that," he lied giving a slight chuckle. "Not fun at all."

Mirage raised an eyebrow and gave her head slight nod. Buddy released a quiet sigh in relief. He needed to change the topic.

"So how have things been going for you?" he asked brightly. "Tell me about your new life."

Mirage gagged a little on the wine she was drinking. Since when did Syndrome really take awareness to her life?

"Well," Mirage started not really sure where to begin. "What would you like to know?"

"Everything. How about your new job?"

"My job?"

"Yes. It's that thing that pays you."

"Okay, let's see. I work at the Daily News as a features reporter. I cover major happenings around town and make sure all important events get attention in our paper. It's stressful at times but it pays decently. Sometimes the hours are long and I have short notice for projects but I find it very interesting and challenging."

"You always did like a challenge," Syndrome mused.

'I suppose so," Mirage said wistfully.

"Have you met new people at your job?" asked Buddy

"I met a couple of people I suppose. Why?" Mirage asked cocking an eyebrow.

Syndrome blushed and focused his eye contact on the tomato in his salad.

"No reason. Just asking. It's good to know your co-workers. That's all."

Madison raised her glass to her lips and directed a jade eye in Buddy's direction.

"If your inquiring as to whether or not I'm seeing someone romantically then the answer is no."

She sipped her wine nonchalantly as Buddy looked up with a slight mirth.

So she was still single! Maybe she hadn't gotten over me, the redhead mused to himself.

"Besides," Mirage said putting her wine glass back on the table. "Men are nothing but dogs."

Or Not.

Syndrome pushed away his salad plate, which was immediately retrieved by the butler.

"I didn't mean to pry like that. I was just asking about your life that's all."

"Well how about your life? How have things been for you? Is your company still ruining the lives of humanity by making weapons and putting them in the hands of maniacs? Are you still killing innocent people in hopes of becoming a super hero? Or are you still bent on revenge of Mr. Incredible?" Mirage asked with a temper in her voice.

Syndrome's eyes widened and his face gave a taken back look.

Correct as usual, Sweetheart.

"I take that as a yes then," Mirage asked smiling wickedly.

Lie! If you want to win her back tell her what she wants to hear! Lie!

"No," said Buddy. "No. Is that all you think I do? Make weapons and hurt innocent people?"

"Well," Mirage started.

Syndrome gave Madison an icy look.

"People change, Madison!" he said raising his voice. "People fucking change! You're on this whole power trip thinking you're the only one at this table capable of doing good and living a normal life! Well newsflash Sweetheart, you're not that high and mighty yourself! Who stood by my side when I carried out my plans? You did! Who was my second in command? You!"

"I didn't know any better!" Mirage exclaimed now raising her voice. "I was young and stupid! If I could go back in time I wouldn't allow all those horrible things to happen! I should have never stood by and let you hurt innocent people, but I never killed anyone!"

"Damn it, Mirage!" Syndrome shouted slamming his fist on the table. "I made mistakes! I admit it! But I have changed! I have fucking changed!"

"Then why have you kidnapped me and the children? Huh? What decent man kidnaps someone and holds them against their will? Tell me that, Buddy."

"BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY WAY YOU'D TALK TO ME!"

The blonde's mouth gaped open upon hearing Syndrome's words. Did he really want her back that much?

The young man rose from the table, walked over to the opened window and looked pleadingly at his ex flame.

"Madison, please just hear me out! I never wanted to hurt you but what choice did I have? I had to see and talk to you again. Once I found out you were babysitting the Parr children then I knew I had no choice but to do this. Otherwise you'd never would have given me a chance."

Mirage said nothing as she cast her eyes towards the ground. He was right. She wouldn't have given him a chance.

Buddy sighed and looked out the window. He then looked over at the silent Mirage and walked over to her. She looked up as Syndrome extended his hand towards her.

"Take a walk with me."

Mirage looked at him then at the windows. The evening air was inviting and maybe a walk would do them both some good. She said nothing as she placed her tan delicate hand in his pale strong one. He helped up and they walked through the dinning hall doorway into the tropical garden.

Outside the cool night breeze danced around the young pair and tropical birds sang their evening song. They said nothing as Buddy led her to a beautiful marble water fountain. Mirage sat on the ledge and Syndrome did the same. Both said nothing as they only looked at each other. Finally Mirage decided to break the silence.

"Buddy, I don't know what you are thinking but whatever we had can never be again."

"Don't say that, Madison."

"No, listen to me," Mirage said sternly. "I loved you once. I really did. But then you broke my heart. You treated me like I was nobody important. I was just second to your plans. Now you think you want me back but you really don't. You're just not letting old feelings die. Buddy, you don't love me. You can't love something you never loved in the first place."

"How do you know?" Syndrome asked with an insulted look. "How do you know what I feel and think? You're not me. Just because I didn't do traditional story book things didn't mean I didn't love you! Maybe I we didn't do all those "couple things" together. I never have been like that. I made sure you were well cared for. I wanted you to have the best of everything! I didn't care how much trouble it gave me or how much it cost. You were worth every bit and you still are! Mirage I have always loved you and I always will!"

Mirage stood up outraged and full of emotion.

"How dare you lie to me, Buddy Pine! I was not everything to you! How can you forget the time you were willing to endanger my life just to see what Mr. Incredible could do? Do you know how worthless I felt? Here it was my fiancé willing to put me in danger just to taunt a nemesis! Then when I heard about your defeat by that stupid robot, what did I do? I went to bring you back to Nomanisan! How stupid was I? You insulted me just to get your revenge! I really did love you but it's obvious the feeling wasn't mutual."

With that, Mirage broke down into heavy sobs. Syndrome watched her as tears sparkled down her moonlight face. He felt awful. He hated seeing her upset and so full of pain. She really did love him. He never realized what a jerk he came off as. He just got so carried away with his plans that he never took into consideration, Mirage. Everything he did, he did for her. It's just that sometimes the emotional high he got from his plans caused him to do some stupid things. He really did love her and he was going to prove it.

Suddenly two strong arms wrapped themselves around the graceful woman's body. Mirage just sobbed harder into Syndrome's arms wishing she never felt his way.

"Shh," the redhead soothed. "It's okay. Its okay, Sweetheart. I'm here. I never realized what an idiot I was. I'm so sorry, Madison. I mean it. I'm so sorry. I love you with all my being. I love you so much. I never wanted you to feel this way. Please, stop crying."

Mirage still continued crying but looked up when she felt something wet hit her head. Her eyes widened as she saw a couple of tears stream down Syndrome's face. He was crying! He sniffed trying to hide the emotion that was trying to breakthrough and picked up the crying Mirage in his arms.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered as he carried the sobbing woman back inside.

He walked up a stairway and down a hall till he came to white French style door. Balancing Mirage in his left arm, Syndrome opened her room and closed the door behind him. He then eased Mirage down onto her plush bed and kneeled besides her. Mirage stared tearfully at him while he did the same to her.

"I'm so sorry, Madison. I never meant for the evening to go like this. I never wanted you to cry. I just wanted to go back to the way that things used to be. That's all. I love you."

When no reply came Buddy gave a remorseful sigh and started to rise. He walked a few feet and looked back at the woman he loved with sadness. He then turned with shoulders slumped and reached for the door handle.

"Wait," called a small voice.

Buddy turned around slowly.

"I love you too."

With that said Mirage leaped up from her bed and threw her arms around Syndrome and pressed her full lips to his. Buddy then wrapped his arms around her waist deepening the kiss.

"I love you so much, Madison" said Buddy in a husky voice.

Mirage smiled and Buddy pulled her back to him. Mirage's delicate hands stretched over Syndrome's back and then back to his front where they managed to undo his necktie. He pulled away smiling.

"Wait I forgot something," he said.

The villain walked over to the doorway, opened the door and poked his head into the hallway. Towards the end of the hallway two guards stood guard near a window.

"Hey, boys!" Syndrome called out.

The two guards turned and looked at their leader.

"Take the rest of the night off! My treat!" the blue eyed man said and closed the door shut.

The two guards shrugged. Why not? After all they had better things to do then listen to that.

Meanwhile two figures clad in red were easing their way out of a small raft.

"Thanks again, Snug" a female voice whispered in the dark.

"Anytime. Be careful!" the man said and sped off in the little sea vessel.

"Well this is it. Nomanisan Island, we meet again," mused a deep male voice. "Let's get a move on."

A/N: Aww man. I have completed this chapter! YAY! Anyways. You know what to do. Leave comments and reviews! I enjoy reading them. I am actually happy with this chapter!