Disclaimer: I don't own Jimmy Neutron or any related characters.
Cindy awoke the next morning not knowing where she was. She looked to her side and saw the ocean going by. Oh yeah, the whole assisting a criminal thing. She nestled back into her pillow, but heard a strange voice.
"The FBI now how has a key suspect in the Retroville murders. His name is James Isaac Neuron. He is only fourteen years old and approximately five feet five inches tall. He was last seen wearing a red shirt with a yellow atom etched onto it. He also had on blue jeans. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He fled from government agents yesterday afternoon, during which he assaulted an agent and stole his gun. He took a Cynthia Aurora Vortex as a hostage. She is also missing. Jimmy Neutron is wanted for murder, robbery, kidnapping, illegal possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, and assault," the mysterious voice said.
Cindy sat up and looked around. She saw Jimmy sitting down with a portable radio in his hand. He noticed that she was awake and smiled at her. She smiled back as he walked over. "Glad you're awake. Would you like some hot chocolate?" he asked kindly. Cindy nodded, and Jimmy grabbed a thermos from his hypercube.
"Jimmy, how much stuff do you have in there?" she questioned as she took a sip. "This is good by the way, thank you."
Jimmy poured himself a cup and sat down next to Cindy. He couldn't help but smile at her. Even right after waking up she was beautiful. "Cindy, I've had some time to think since yesterday. I'd like to talk about what's going on," Jimmy said in a serious tone. Cindy nodded.
"First, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me. This could be dangerous, even life-threatening, but you offered to help me without giving it a second thought. I still can't believe that anyone would help me after what I did to you yesterday. I am sincerely grateful," he said while looking down. He was a little embarrassed.
"Second, remember that you are in this entirely by choice. At no time will I force you to help me. If at any time you want out, just say the word. I'll let you go, even take you back to Retroville if you wish," Jimmy continued.
"Jimmy, we're in this together now. I'm in it for the long haul," she said while grabbing his hand, quickly dropping it and blushing when she realized what she was doing.
"Cindy, thank you for that. But I have to ask you one favor. I really need you to agree to this."
"What is it?" Cindy asked.
Jimmy let out a deep sigh and frowned. "I hate to be negative, but we have to discuss this. If we do get caught, please go along with my story that you were nothing more than a hostage and I forced you to stay with me."
"Jimmy, we're in this," Cindy started, but Jimmy cut her off.
"Please let me finish. I know that you want to help, and I am grateful for that and respect it. But there is no reason for both of us to go to jail. If you truly care about me and are helping me because of that, you'll understand that I could never live with that guilt, knowing that it was my fault that you were in jail. Please agree to this," Jimmy pleaded.
Cindy had never seen this side of Jimmy. It was almost like he knew that they weren't getting out of this. "Alright, but you have to do one thing for me," Cindy stated.
"Anything," Jimmy replied.
"Promise me you'll figure a way out of this," Cindy said very seriously.
"I promise," Jimmy said, but Cindy could see a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
The two teenagers were quiet for a moment, listening to the sad song on the radio. How do you keep getting yourself into these messes? And why is it that you always bring the ones you love into it? I mean, my friends. Just friends. I think, Jimmy thought as he stole a glance at Cindy.
"Moving on, let's get to the situation at hand," Jimmy resumed talking. Cindy motioned for him to continue. "This whole thing is going to be very complicated. The first thing that I have to do is figure out who framed me. Then I have to locate where that person, is. If I can sneak into their home I might be able to get a confession on tape. Once I gather some evidence and capture the criminal we can head back to Retroville. I'll radio them in advance to let them know that I'm coming in peace and to hold their fire. I'll hand over the criminal, and hopefully my name will be cleared. And you'll be a hero and have my eternal gratitude," Jimmy said, laughing a little as he looked at Cindy during that last part.
"Sounds simple enough," Cindy said while taking another sip of cocoa. Jimmy couldn't tell whether she was being sarcastic or not.
"I think we should land on some deserted island for now. I have enough supplies to build a sort of base and begin figuring out the identity of my enemy. Besides, this hover car is kind of small," Jimmy went on.
"Jimmy, I'm sorry that I kicked your ass yesterday," Cindy apologized to Jimmy.
"I'm sorry I've gotten you involved in a life-threatening adventure, held you at gunpoint, and threw you around like a rag doll," Jimmy said as he counted those things off on his fingers. "Yep, I think that's it."
They both laughed. Jimmy turned the radio up and put his arm around Cindy, half expecting a slap on the face. He was both surprised and glad as she scooched closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. Well, this is going to be one hell of an adventure, Jimmy thought as he laid his head back and smiled.