Disclaimer: And once again, a reminder that I don't own any rights to Megamind and am not affiliated with Dreamworks.

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Chapter 10

"What would you like me to do first, Miss Ritchi?" Minion asked the ex-reporter. She had suggested that they go and clean up her apartment and allow Sir to get on with his inventing. Sir agreed with her logic, so Minion accompanied her while trying out his new disguise. Now that they were in her apartment, he made sure her curtains were closed before he turned the watch off.

Miss Ritchi was looking around the apartment in dismay. "I don't remember it being this bad," she muttered. She took a deep breath and looked over at him, "I guess we should gather up my clothes first. That should put the biggest dent in everything since they are scattered everywhere… Let me grab a couple garbage bags." She walked into the kitchen.

"I don't think you need to throw them all away, Miss Ritchi. A good washing will make them good as new!" he suggested. Why would she want to get rid of all those clothes? She and Sir didn't do all that much shopping yesterday.

Miss Ritchi snorted like she didn't quite have the energy for a chuckle and replied, "I'm not throwing them away, Minion. It's just to make them easier to carry. I want to wash them before I wear them again."

"Oh," he replied as he started gathering clothes. That would make things easier for this amount of clothing if there weren't enough laundry baskets available. He started gathering up some of the clothes that littered the area and let his mind wander. He was overjoyed that Sir and Miss Ritchi had actually taken that first step to develop their relationship into something more than kidnapper and victim. He always suspected that there was some chemistry there. He was slightly worried though. Sir was suddenly telling Miss Ritchi nearly everything and he seemed to know when she was waking up or getting closer to his position. He wondered if it was a quirk of Sir's people that neither of them was aware of.

Because they left their planet as babies, there was a lot that they had to discover about themselves through trial and error. He didn't know what was going on when his first saltwater cycle hit shortly after he and Sir left the prison. Fortunately, Sir was able to figure it out before anything detrimental occurred.

"How was your shopping trip with Sir yesterday, Miss Ritchi?" Minion broke the silence while trying to push worrying thoughts away. If something was going on with Sir, he would just be there to help him like always.

She laughed and replied, "That was one of the most interesting trips to the mall I've ever taken. Did Megamind tell you that we ran into Metro Man and convinced him that we're lesbian lovers? And I don't know if I can get used to those watches you guys have. I had to keep reminding myself that Megamind was disguised as the woman I was shopping with."

Minion chuckled and answered, "Yes, he did tell me about running into Metro Man. That was some quick thinking on both of your parts! And I know what you mean about the holograms," he sympathized. "I'm not used to looking down and seeing a human body either. It's rather disconcerting. That should wear off after I use it more though. Took me a while to get used to seeing this suit too, you know."

"We had fun though. You should come with us next time, Minion!" Miss Ritchi suggested brightly.

"Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't want to intrude on one of your dates, Miss Ritchi," he said shyly.

Miss Ritchi came over and placed a hand on his faux furred shoulder and said seriously, "And I don't want to come between you two, Minion. He was thinking about you a lot yesterday. Most of the things he dehydrated were with you in mind."

"Thanks, Miss Ritchi. I appreciate that. I'm sure we will get plenty of time to sort everything out while on vacation," he suggested.

She smiled and replied, "I still can't believe that Megamind is taking me on a tropical vacation. That's all he's saying by the way. Can you tell me where we're going?"

"Sorry, Miss Ritchi. I'm under orders to keep it a secret. That reminds me, we need to get your passport while we're here."

"Right," she said and looked at the surrounding mess that they barely put a dent in so far. "I remember where I put it, but who knows if it's still there. I didn't see it when we sorted through the cubes though. I'll keep an eye out." She went to a desk in the corner of the room and started trying to organize the mess. Barely a minute later and he noticed her reading a news-clipping before setting it down again. "Minion, could you turn your watch on for a little while? I need to make a phone call."

He raised an eyeridge and agreed. He turned the dial to the image he decided to use when they traveled. She gave him a half-smile and dialed a number on her cell phone.

"Wayne?" she said into it a moment later. "I need you to break up with me. Publicly. And messily. With press coverage if we can manage it. "

There was a pause as she listened to the receiver and replied, "Because I've started dating and I don't want it to look like I'm cheating on Metro Man when someone sees us. I'm looking for a job; I don't need that kind of bad publicity."

She rolled her eyes at something and momentarily pinched the bridge of her nose before replying, "Yes, I'm dating Megan. I would like to think that we live in a progressive city, and hope that it won't be an issue. And besides, I can't dump you. No one would believe it."

She smirked suddenly before schooling her face back into a neutral mask and said, "Yes, she's aware that Megamind kidnaps me on a regular basis. It doesn't seem to bother her."

"Please, Wayne. Just dump me and then be seen with the same woman at two or three different functions to let rumors start up again. Goodness knows it didn't even take us that long before we were an official couple."

She looked around the apartment and her gaze settled on the trash bags filled with laundry before she said, "No, tonight won't work for me. How about tomorrow at Chez Roux? Pick me up at eight?"

"Thanks, I appreciate it. See you then," she said as she hung up the phone then looked over at Minion. "Minion, think you and Megamind could pick me up after I'm officially dumped?"

"Absolutely, Miss Ritchi!" he assured her. He was happy that she was willing to shake up the status quo while obviously contemplating a future with Sir.

"Thanks, Minion," she smiled. "Well, back to work," she said as she started cleaning again.

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Megamind smiled broadly as he put the finishing touches on the Metal Detector Deflector. The prototype was complete, now they would need to test it. He would have to wait for Minion to get back from Roxanne's and then they could go collect a metal detector.

Roxanne had suggested that they let him get to inventing while they went and cleaned her apartment. It was the first time she had been back since the break-in. He understood that it was her way of taking her life back, but he was really enjoying having Roxanne around the lair. Maybe he could convince her to stay?

With that thought in mind, he pushed aside his latest invention and got started on making her a dehydration gun. It wouldn't need to be as advanced as his since it wouldn't have as many functions. Perhaps he should include the decoupage setting as well in case she ever needed a water-tight seal on one of the cubes. He made a few sketches until he decided on what design he thought she might like. He even used his watch to change to her image to measure her hands so the gun would fit in her hand comfortably.

Once he had the design and measurements firmly in place, he went to gather materials. His mind wandered back to the shopping trip the day before. He enjoyed the new experience and it was a successful crowd test for the disguise watch. Not so much for the longevity test though. Roxanne seemed to get a kick out of his new image which she kept calling 'Megan.' She eventually asked if he could make her some glasses that would see through the hologram. He was delighted that she had asked him to invent something for her even if it was suggested in frustration.

He was also pleasantly surprised that she didn't say anything when he dehydrated items and stuck the resulting cubes in his purse, even after telling her that was his plan. The most he got was a look and a raised eyebrow. He would admit, to himself anyway, that he dehydrated more items than he needed to see if she would protest. Especially in the hardware department of that store where the employee managed to get himself dehydrated.

When they got back to the lair, he was excited to find that Minion had indeed managed to book their upcoming trip. He immediately jumped on fixing the power problems on the disguise watches, getting Roxanne's passport renewed and their passports forged using the names Minion picked for them. He would be traveling under 'Dean Beckett,' and Minion would be 'Joel Nelson.' Then they picked which holograms they were going to use from the scans Megamind and Roxanne had grabbed while 'people watching' in the feed court of the shopping arena.

He deposited the gathered materials on his main workbench and lost himself in the delicate task of constructing the internal makeup of a new dehydration gun. Shortly after he finished installing the power source, he got the feeling that Roxanne and Minion were on the way back. He made sure all the parts were covered and secured then headed to the garage portion of the Evil Lair to meet them when they arrived.

He walked in just as the invisible car parked and decloaked. When the doors opened he announced, "I did it, Minion! We have work to do tonight!"

"I knew you could do it, Sir," Minion acknowledged as he exited the car. Roxanne got out of the car too and he caught her giving him a little half-smile. He thought of the gun he was making her and resolved to have that finished and give it to her soon. "What's the job, Sir?" his henchfish interrupted his thoughts.

"A simple smash and grab, I think. I was debating on taking the metal detector out from under Precinct Four's noses, they've been getting a little uppity lately, but I don't want to gain Metro Mahn's attention. No need starting off a vacation recovering from injuries, eh, Minion?"

"You're right there, Sir. What's the target?"

"We'll hit the courthouse. They have those bag scanners. I thought we could get one of those too so we can pack safely."

"You're not going to just walk up to the front door, are you?" Roxanne asked. "There are police everywhere down there all the time. They could call Metro Man," she said, then got a strange look on her face and muttered, "and I can not believe I'm having this conversation."

Megamind walked up to her and asked, "Do you have a better suggest-shion, Roxanne?"

"Yes, for some reason, I do. There's underground parking just beneath the building. Take the invisible car and park down there then sneak up. All the windows are darkened so you can't see in. As long as you take care of the building security, you can be in and out without anyone knowing," she told him.

Megamind smirked at her as she unknowingly spoke the details of his plan. He reached up and placed his hand on her cheek, still hardly believing that she allowed him to touch her, and replied softly, "That is a genius idea, my Roxanne." He leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss. "Come with us?" he asked. He knew she didn't approve, but she did think she just helped him plan it a little. That and he didn't really want to be apart from her again that day.

"You just want to see me in that leather outfit again," she smirked and gently wrapped her arms around his spiked collar.

"It's not my fault you look ravishing in it, my dear," he didn't deny anything and moved his hands to her hips testing her reaction. She didn't pull away, so he touched foreheads with her and softly confessed, "I missed you today." He felt his cheeks heat up once again at the intimate gesture. In the back of his colossal mind, he registered Minion sneaking away to give them privacy.

"Same here," she said and pulled him into another kiss. She deepened the kiss and he moaned in appreciation. He felt her fingers snake over the edge of his high collar and softly run across the back of his head. He pulled her hips closer to his and held her tight. She broke the kiss and rested her forehead against his while trying to catch her breath. At some point in time, he had deduced that he had a greater lung capacity than Roxanne because she always ran out of air quicker than he did.

"One condition," she said between heavy breaths.

"And what's that?" he asked as he gently rubbed his forehead against her much smaller one.

She leaned forward and got close to his ear. Her warm breaths on his sensitive neck and ears were severely distracting. "Stay with me tonight," she breathed in his ear.

His eyes popped open and he could swear that his mighty brain momentarily sputtered to a stop. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "Wha…you…I…?!" he attempted to say three things at once and didn't get anything coherent out. He swallowed and tried again, "Are…are you sure? It's not too soon?" he managed.

"We don't have to do that," she said with a soft smile. "I just want to fall asleep in your arms if that's ok," she leaned over and kissed him gently.

"Oh, my beautiful Roxanne," he sighed happily. "I will gladly agree to that condition." She hummed happily and gave him another soft kiss.

"So… are you going to show us what you've been up to all day, oh Evil Overlord?" she asked playfully as she pulled away from him. She slid one of her hands down his arm and intertwined her fingers with his.

He smiled at the interest in his inventions and moved towards his workshop. "It's merely a prototype until we can do some testing," he started excitedly, "but I'm confident that it'll perform as designed! Come, Roxanne!"

He led her to his workshop and proudly showed off the Metal Detector Deflector while making sure her present was hidden. It still looked like the MP3 player he had gutted, but with an addition of a small radar dish. Roxanne gently picked it up and he demonstrated the different settings he installed and how to operate it.

"I still can't believe that you managed to create and build this in just a couple days," she said as she gently set it down.

"Well, of course, my dear. I am a genius after all," he said matter-of-factly.

"And so modest, too," she added sarcastically.

"With these looks and my intellect, who can afford to be modest?"

"Ok, stud," she said with an eyeroll. "I guess I need to go get ready. Last time it took me a while to squeeze myself into those pants. And do I even want to know why you have leather pants in my size floating around the Evil Lair?"

"We like to be ready for any possibility," he waved off her curiosity. "Would you like some brainbots to assist you? I can send 619 and 742," he offered.

"No thanks. I don't think I'm ready for that. See ya in a few," she said as she went to her room. Megamind smiled after her. She was going to pull another job with them. She'd be his Evil Queen yet! An idea struck him and he ran out of the room to find Minion.

He found his friend in the laundry room surrounded with Roxanne's clothes. And not just the dark colored ones they had taken when she spent her first night in the lair. Maybe she has decided to stay here after all!

"Min-yon!" he greeted in excitement.

"Yes, Sir?" Minion acknowledged as he continued to sort Roxanne's clothes and place some in their washing machine.

"Roxanne has decided to join us at the courthouse tonight," Megamind announced.

Minion dropped the shirt he was holding and turned in his tank to look at him. "Really, Sir? I thought last time was just for revenge. I didn't think she would join us again."

"I'm just as pleasantly surprised, Minion! I was hoping you could design her something in case she continues to join us," he suggested.

"Oh, of course, Sir! I've played with some ideas for Miss Ritchi a couple years ago; I can pull those and try out some new designs. I should be able to have something put together either tomorrow night or the next day. I'll need her measurements," Minion replied excitedly. It had been a while since Megamind had asked for a new costume and he knew how much Minion liked costume design. That was probably the reason he had designs for Roxanne already.

"Can you work in a holster too? I'm making her a de-gun. And I have her image in my watch for measurements. Let's keep it a surprise, huh?" Megamind asked.

"Y…you're making her a de-gun, Sir? Are you sure that's wise?" Minion raised an eyeridge at him.

"Oh, it's only going to have two settings. It's fine, Min-yon," he assured his friend.

"If you say so, Sir. Did you want to approve the plans before I make Miss Ritchi's outfit?" Minion asked. Megamind smirked as he realized the fish was already brainstorming.

"No, I trust your judgment. I'm sure it will be suitably horrifying."

"Thank you, Sir. What time will we be leaving?" Minion closed the lid of the washing machine and started it up.

"Let's make it a midnight mayhem excursion. May as well let the drones get complacent for the night."

"Alright, Sir. I'll get started on supper and work on Miss Ritchi's outfit until then!" Minion enthused and left the room. Megamind chuckled at his enthusiasm. Maybe he had been wearing the same villainous clothes for too long. He'd have Minion design him something different when they get back to give him something to work on.

He smiled and headed to the viewing room to watch the news. Even if his delightful Roxanne wasn't starring, he still liked to keep up with what was happening in his city. He turned on the five TVs in the room and tuned them all to different local stations. He normally only muted all but one screen when Minion (and more recently, Roxanne) was in the room. Otherwise he was able to keep track of the audio from all five screens. He sat in the middle of the black sofa and spread his arms across the top enjoying the down-time.

A minute later, he had to smile. He could tell that Roxanne had just entered the room and was watching him from the doorway. She finally spoke and walked into the room, "I got to admit, I was wondering about all the TVs. How can you keep up with all that noise?"

He deliberately didn't mute anything just yet as he replied, "You can follow two conversations at once, right?"

"Yeah, most of the time," she answered as she came to sit beside him. She was wearing the same leather outfit she wore a few nights ago and looked just as lovely.

"I can follow a few more," he said as he muted all but one station. "Have I mentioned how ravishing you look in leather, my dear?" He dropped one of his hands from the back of the couch onto one of her bare shoulders.

"The bottom right one is the Spanish channel! Are you pulling my leg?" she gave him a squinty eyed look.

"Of course not! My hands are nowhere near your legs, Roxanne," he reminded her. He squeezed her shoulder and waved his other hand at her. He leaned over to check for a playful brainbot but didn't see any.

"I didn't mean…" she started then sighed,"Never mind. I believe you. No wonder you seemed distracted at the mall sometimes. You were probably overhearing thirteen different conversations at once." She settled back and leaned into his side. He smiled at her and gently ran his fingers against her shoulder as he turned to the TVs again. He noticed that the one station he didn't mute was Channel 8. Roxanne didn't protest, so he left it alone.

When the commercials cut back to the anchor starting to introduce the next story, Roxanne snorted and waved at the television. "I never told you about Barry did I? He is such a jerk. He always treated me like an assistant, asking me to fetch something or clean up something for him. I never did of course. Let that lazy oaf go get his own danish. Probably a good thing I never made anchor... I'd have strangled him." The news cut over to the blonde woman that Metro Man spoke to a few days ago before Megamind could say anything.

Roxanne scowled and continued, "And there's that no talent hack that replaced me. She can't even string two sentences together and yet she's their new field reporter. She was probably putting me down the entire time she slept with the boss." She folded her arms and seemed to try to lean into Megamind even more.

He suspected that her body language was asking for something, so on a hunch, he wrapped his arms around her for a hug and kissed her head. "You're way better at reporting than she is, Roxanne," he told her. "Want to do something to her? We can… I dunno… paint bomb her car?"

She laughed into his chest, "I get upset over someone and you want to vandalize them. And a paint bomb?"

"It sounds more menacing than 'balloons filled with paint,'" he explained. "At least that was the first kind that came to mind."

She laughed again and shook her head, "God, what's wrong with me? That actually sounds kind of fun. Have you done that before?"

"Not that particular stunt, no." He gave her a manic grin, "Want to give it a test run? We're going out tonight anyway… I have all sorts of paint." The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to do it. He just hoped he could talk her into the idea. It would be more fun if she was involved.

"No… I can't…" she protested. But it was a hesitant protest, he might have a shot!

"You're going to break into the courthouse with us and help steal expensive equipment, but won't indulge in an admittedly childish bit of harmless vandalism? She's bound to have insurance, correct? Think of it as 'stimulating the econe-omy.' Best of all, there's nothing to link us to it." He held her hands and started slowly raising up from the couch and pulled her with him.

"You are a very wicked man and there is no way that you should be able to talk me into this," she muttered at him as he gently pulled her from the room.

"I've never tried to hide that fact, my dear," he said as he led her to his workshop. "Brainbots!" he called while still holding both Roxanne's hands. "Paint, balloons, funnels, and boxes!" He gave Roxanne another wide smile, "Ready?"

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