Chapter 5: Not the Way She Expected

I disabled the security system for you before I left, Goddard flashed. Knowing you, you probably had a way around it, but I'm not in the mood to take chances.

"Thanks, Goddard. I owe you one, I guess."

All you have to do for me is admit to Jimmy how you feel and snap him out of his depression. Goddard woofed softly. For me, that's enough.

Cindy paused to rub Goddard's head before opening the door and cautiously stepping into the lab. Libby and Goddard stood side-by-side, gazing at the half-open door, before exchanging looks.

"Goddard, I am sorry, but I've been waiting for this for years. I ain't about to miss it.

Agreed.

"Do you think it's an invasion of privacy?"

If Goddard was able, he would have been smirking.

Nah.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Cindy had been in Jimmy's lab so many times she'd lost count, but there was a definite hesitation in her step now. The lab was incredibly small; it only took a few steps for her to leave the doorway and stand behind Jimmy's chair, where the young genius still sat. On the screen played memories; some as early as when Jimmy and Cindy had been kids, but most were extremely recent, such as the kiss Jimmy had given Cindy when they had faced the League of Villains. Just thinking of that moment made Cindy blush, though a few good months had passed since then. After a moment, she cleared her throat nervously.

"Hey, Jimmy."

"How'd you get in here, Vortex?" Jimmy asked dully; there was no trace of the usual annoyance or warmth that usually filled his voice when he spoke to her.

"You're security system stinks." No reason to bring Goddard into this, Cindy decided after a moment.

"I noticed." A brief smile flitted across Jimmy's face. "How many times have you broken into my lab?"

"Enough times to save your butt, and you know it."

The banter was surprisingly familiar and soothing to both of them, like an old routine they had done numerous times, but they both knew that now was the time to break that routine, and after awhile Cindy decided she would be the one to break it.

"Jimmy, we need to talk."

"What about?"

Okay, fine. You want to play that game. "Us."

"Us?"

"Jimmy!"

Jimmy sighed.

"Cindy, what happened to us?"

"WH-What?" Cindy stammered, caught completely off guard.

Jimmy pointed at the screen as Cindy walked tentatively to stand next to him. On the screen was when they were both in third grade. They were arguing over something, and sparks were coming out of both their eyes.

"What were we fighting about back then, anyway?"

Jimmy didn't respond, instead leaning forward and fast forwarding. Now they were in fifth grade, but this time it was different. Now they stood side-bye-side, shoulders barely touching, but Jimmy's held Cindy's hand in his own. "Remember? That was after we defeated the League of Villains."

"Yeah. I remember."

"What happened to us, Cindy?" Jimmy repeated. "We hated each other. I mean, in third grade we couldn't stop fighting. And now we're in fifth grade… and we don't hate each other anymore."

"Things changed, I guess." Cindy shrugged helplessly.

"But why? Why did things change?"

"That's just the way it is. Nothing stays the same, Jimmy. You know that better then anyone."

"Why do things have to change?" Jimmy murmured, but he was speaking more to himself then to Cindy. "If things never changed, I wouldn't feel so confused."

"Confused about what?"

"You."

Well… this wasn't what I had in mind. I was expecting a big shouting match, Cindy thought, but what did she expect? Jimmy always took what she expected and twisted it around so it was completely different. "About freakin' time you figured it out, Neutron," she snapped. "How'd you do it?"

"Timmy."

"… Oh…"

"You were jealous of Betty, weren't you?" Jimmy asked suddenly. Cindy blushed a shade of red that had no name.

"A little bit… okay, yes! I was jealous!"

Cindy looked at the ground. "Jimmy… what I did, with Timmy, I… that was wrong. I know that. I mean, I liked him, but… not the way I like you."

Jimmy frowned. "Cindy…"

"I mean, yeah, he treated me like a human, but you have, to! And… I don't know... Can you please tell me what I'm saying?"

"I'm just as confused, Cindy."
"Oh, great…"

Okay, you know what, screw this! I am not going to spend my time trying to puzzle out what the heck I'm saying when Jimmy is this close to me!

Hey, she'd take her chances where she could get them.

Grabbing a handful of Jimmy's lab coat, Cindy jerked him the last few inches that separated him from her and brought his lips to his.

And in the shadows, the jaws of both Goddard and Libby dropped to the floor in utter disbelief.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(Falls to floor laughing)

Oh, I loved writing this chapter! Especially the parts with Libby and Goddard! Heheheh...

Pokey: Yeah, I know I was kind of harsh to Cindy, but that was kind of the idea. I was trying to tell it mostly from Libby and Goddard's POV's, and they might not have seen it that way, so...

ReddistheRose: Thank you so much for the review! You're one of my favorite authors!

acosta perez jose ramiro: Hey, Jimmy did build him... who knows what he stuck in there?