AN: Surprise! I'm not dead! I've made minor edits to the previous chapters (just cleaning up some wordings mostly), and after a 7 year hiatus, I bring you new chapters. Yes. Chapters. That are already written and are well on the way to actually completing this fic. So, if anyone is still interested in this story, here's the next chapter!

Chapter 16

Megamind put the finishing touches on the de-gun he'd created for Roxanne and smiled. He'd been busy most of the day creating hologram-piercing glasses for her since she requested them. In frustration, but still. It was a good idea. He'd wanted to make them hologram-proof, but the rushed prototype he designed only managed to make the hard-light holograms produced by the disguise watches appear as a transparent image surrounding the wearer. But he could iron out the bugs on a later model. He was ready to present both gifts to her on their dinner date tonight.

He placed them neatly in a couple black boxes he had sitting nearby for just that purpose, then tied them up with blue ribbons he stole from Minion's craft room. Satisfied with his work, he went to search for Minion. He was curious about what villainous designs he'd created for Roxanne and if he'd made any progress on it.

He wandered in the direction he sensed Roxanne. (And that was still very weird. And alien. And how was Roxanne ok with him doing that to her? A mating bond? Really!? Although the constant influx of her emotions throughout the day was soothing in a way he wasn't able to describe.) He suspected that if Minion wasn't with her, then she'd know where he was. From the snatches of conversation he's overheard, he knew they were spending the day together. Soon he heard both Minion's and Roxanne's voices coming from his main computer room. He came upon the room and leaned against the doorframe, watching his two favorite people on the planet interact with each other.

"Oh my God, I'm never going to get this, Minion," Roxanne complained once an error message beeped at her after she typed something. He could pick up her frustration, but also that she was happy he was near.

"Of course you will, Ma'am," Minion encouraged. "Programming the brainbots is not too complicated once you learn the language."

She brought her forearm across her eyes and said melodramatically, "If only I knew an incredibly handsome criminal genius to help me." She then lowered her arm, turned with a grin and greeted Megamind, "Oh, there's one! Thinking he can still sneak up on me. Hi, sweetheart."

"Ollo, my love," he replied. "Are you giving Minion a hard time?"

She over-exaggeratedly gasped and brought a hand to her chest. "Me? Of course not! When have I ever given anyone trouble?"

He couldn't help but laugh and replied teasingly, "Miss Ritchi, you've been trouble since the first time I kidnapped you. And, I suspect, long before then. There's a reason we tied you up, Temptress."

She stood, closed the distance between them and replied, "Damn straight," as she wrapped her arms around him and pulling him in for a kiss. She pulled back and asked, "How's your day been?"

"Productive," he answered, and then, just because it was allowed, he gave her a kiss in return. "I actually came by to steal Minion from you for a while."

She let go of him and said, "Oh, sure. You two go ahead. I want to fight this a little longer then I'm going to run to my apartment. You can pick me up there for our date." She ran a finger teasingly down his chest, looked up at him through her eyelashes and asked, "Is nine ok, Evil Overlord?"

"Temptress," he hissed as he gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him for another kiss.

When they parted, she laughed a little and chided, "Go on then. I'm sure we're making Minion uncomfortable again."

"Thank you, Ma'am," Minion started before he was interrupted by a phone ringing. He immediately took a small phone out of a compartment on his suit and glanced at Roxanne. "Are…are you sure, Ma'am?"

"If it's her? Absolutely," Roxanne replied while slipping back into the computer chair she recently vacated.

Minion shrugged, flipped open the phone, and answered it, "Miss Ritchi's phone." A pause then, "I'm sorry, Mrs. Ritchi, but she can't come to the phone right now."

Another pause then, "Because she's currently occupied."

A slightly longer pause then, "She's doing some work on the computer and asked not to be disturbed. And I'm her minion."

A much longer pause then he laughed and replied, "No. Sorry. She's a very attractive human, but I'm afraid she's simply not my type."

"Well, I mean she is, isn't she?"

"I do."

"Oh! She's free to come and go as she pleases."

"Ah. Well, I'm afraid she's terribly busy today."

"I'll tell her you called. Goodbye, Mrs. Ritchi," he closed the phone and offered it to Roxanne. "Here you go, Ma'am. Your mother called."

She smiled up at him, took the phone and said, "Thanks, Minion. You're a lifesaver and I appreciate it. Now go see what Megamind wants. I can't figure this out with him hovering like that." She turned and shot him a grin. He only felt a pleasant warmth from her instead of irritation, so he knew she wasn't really bothered.

He grinned back and replied, "We're going! We're going! Ciao!" before stepping out of the room, Minion following him with one last check that Roxanne had what she needed.

Once they got far enough from Roxanne so she couldn't overhear them, he turned to Minion and asked, "How are the designs for Roxanne's villain outfit?"

Minion's ridge lit up momentarily, as tended to happen when he got excited and he replied, "Oh! I think I found just the thing. I will need her measurements though. I know you want to keep it a surprise, so if I can get the measurements from you and the watch…"

"Absolutely, Minion," Megamind replied as they entered Minion's craft room. Although it should more accurately be called 'Minion's craft entire-right-side-of-Evil-Lair.' The series of rooms was enormous. He wasn't even entirely sure what all the rooms contained besides sewing supplies. The only one Minion routinely allowed him in was the display room, where his finished outfits were ready to be revealed.

Minion headed straight for his drafting desk and moved some papers around until he found the sketch he was looking for. He picked it up, turned towards Megamind and said, "Ma'am wants to change the default colors of her brainbot squad to purple and I think that would be a great accent color on something like this." He passed the sketch to Megamind.

The dress had a black bodice (or was it a corset? Was there even a difference?), with sleeves attached at the shoulder. The long sleeves flared out at the elbow which would allow the fabric to flutter when she moved her arms, but wasn't so long that they'd get caught in moving equipment. The skirt part of the dress seemed alarmingly short in the front, but at the sides the hem dropped down until it was floor length in the back. He had to admit that it would give her freedom of movement, unlike those pencil skirts she's so fond of.

Minion couldn't take the silence anymore and said, "I'm planning on making Ma'am a protective undersuit like yours – it's already in the works, actually – and that should prevent any modesty issues with the front of the dress. Wha-what do you think, Sir?"

"I think it will be absolutely terrifying. Evil job, as always," he replied. He was very much looking forward to Roxanne wearing the final result. "Lock the door and let's get these measurements taken so you can get to work."

"Right away, Sir," Minion answered with a smile.

/\/\ - /\/\ - /\/\ - /\/\ - /\/\ - /\/\ - /\/\

Roxanne sat back with a huff and pouted. Minion made this look so easy! She just wanted to change the colors on her brainbots squad so she could easily find them in the horde. And maybe name them something besides those numbers she couldn't remember. But if this thing kept fighting her, they'd either end up with either curse words as their names or something sickeningly cute. Granted, she was leaning towards the latter anyway. Just imagining the look that would cross Megamind's face when she first calls down Sprinkles the brainbot was hilarious.

But the 'helpful' binder that Minion left her only hadn't got thrown against the wall because there were pages coming loose and she didn't want to be responsible for even more damage. The main issue was that the guide was written to remind someone (Minion) what he may have forgotten. There were legit sentences that said, "Remember, when soda spilled on the interiors? To repair a malfunction on that scale, use the following code." The interiors of what? What scale? What happened? Did the brainbots all short out? Did they run amok? Did they dress in drag and do the hula?

She, gently, hit her head with the not-so-helpful binder a few times before dropping it down to the table. She looked at the code on the monitor in front of her and knew she wasn't any closer to doing anything than when she sat down after her tour of the Lair. And Minion didn't get a chance to teach her much before Megamind showed up.

She sighed and got out of the chair again. She had other things she wanted to do today. Mostly going to her apartment and packing a few things to start officially moving into the Lair. Like her hair dryer. And more of her clothes. But mostly her hair dryer. She had honestly forgotten how much work her short hair took to be manageable when she allowed it to air dry.

She left the room full of computers and went in search of her boys to tell them she was heading out. Remembering her new 'Megamind-sensor,' she wandered the halls heading towards him. This empathy thing was weird. Not that she was going to tell Megamind that. Despite his confident supervillain persona, she knew that he was pretty self-conscious about being different and she didn't want to give him any reason to think that she'd be put off by any of those differences. She'd get used to the Megamind-sensor. But the fact that she could track him down just by sensing his presence 'in that direction,' was going to be hard to get used to. Even though, according to Minion, they had both been doing that unconsciously over the last week or so. And then the emotions. Everything was sunshine and rainbows between the two of them right now, but what about when they get into a fight? And knowing the two of them, there are going to be fights. How was that going to feel? Maybe they should've had a legit fight before she said she would move in.

She rubbed a hand along her face and sighed. This is why she hadn't really allowed herself to be alone very long since the robbery. Everything was great right now and she was worried about a future argument.

As she neared the craft room (Thank you for the tour, Minion!), Megamind suddenly burst out of the door, slammed it shut, and put his back against it with his arms widespread. She startled because of the suddenness of his appearance, then said questioningly, "Hi?"

"Ollo," he replied back without moving from his position of holding the door in place.

"Whatcha doing there?" she asked and gestured at him being spread across the door.

He slightly turned his head and realized that his arms were akimbo. He made a concentrated effort to stand up straight and look nonchalant. "Nothing. Just exiting the room. As you do," he replied once he had collected himself.

She'd been feeling worried about their future arguments, but now when she felt a strange little twist, she realized that she had felt a sudden sense of alarm shortly before he exited the room like a crazy person. She didn't notice because of her own worries, but that twist was different.

"Oh! Is that what it feels like when you lie?" she asked, because he was obviously up to something. "Are you plotting something in the craft room? Is it for me?"

His eyes widened and he stuttered out, "Y-you can feel that? How? I didn't think that counted as an emotion!"

She rolled her eyes and answered, "I don't know. I mean, I knew you were lying because no-one jumps out of a door like that for 'nothing.' Could've been something else, I guess. I could tell you a lie and see if you feel anything?"

Megamind looked thoughtful then nodded his head, "Yes. Yes, I'd like to test it."

"Thought you might," she teased. Then told him a lie, "My mom and I get along great." He didn't say anything immediately so she asked, "Feel anything?"

"I'm not sure," he answered, but then he absently raised his hand in front of him and twisted it like he held an imaginary doorknob.

She pointed at his hand and exclaimed, "Yes! That! Just like that."

"Oh. Then I suppose so," he replied and lowered his hand. He shot her an amusedly resigned look and admitted sarcastically, "Well. I'm sure that's not going to be awkward at all."

She laughed and put her arms around his neck and teased, "Oh, look at that. My supervillain boyfriend can't lie to me without me knowing." She planted a quick kiss on his lips.

He smirked at her, rested his hands on her lower back, and teased right back, "Oh, lookie there. My reporter girlfriend can't lie to me without me knowing."

She winced and said, "Ooh. Yeah, you're right. I didn't think that one through." He gave her a low chuckle in reply and she rested her forehead to his. "I think we'll be ok though, right? I mean, if I ask something you don't want to answer, just say so instead of lying."

She felt some amusement come from him as he replied, "You say that like I'm the only one with a history."

"Hey! You complimented my lying to Wayne," she protested playfully.

"That's because you're wonderful at it. As long as you point that talent away from me."

"That's me. Roxanne Ritchi. Aim away from face. I should come with a warning label."

He laughed, put his bare hand on her cheek and pulled his forehead away from hers. "I like when your face is aimed at mine," before he finished thinking at her, he pulled her into a deep kiss.

"God, I love you, Megamind. Mulzakai," she sent to him.

He groaned, and pulled her closer to him, and sent back, "I love you too, Roxanne. More than you can possibly imagine."

She eventually needed to breathe, so she pulled back from their kiss and rested her forehead on his again. "I came by to tell you I'm heading out for the day. I want to start packing and moving some of my small stuff over here. If that's still ok?"

"My darling Roxanne. My love. Nothing would make me happier," he admitted, and the soft look in his eyes backed up his thought. She couldn't help but blush at all the love and attention he was giving her.

"I'll pack up my car and you can dehydrate it when you come pick me up. Sound good?" she asked as she backed out of his arms. If she stayed too much longer, she wouldn't leave at all.

"That shouldn't be a problem," he answered with his bare hand lingering on her cheek.

She ducked back in and gave him another quick kiss and said, "Ok, I'm leaving. Have fun plotting with Minion. See ya tonight, Evil Overlord."

"Temptress," he answered as she started walking away. She bit her lip and added some extra sway to her hips before glancing over her shoulder at her smitten boyfriend. The look he had on his face as she walked away was going to keep her mood up for days.

She got into her car and looked at the solid-seeming wall in front of her and suddenly lost her confidence of finding the right spot. Even though Minion had showed her the markings on the floor. Well. Might as well give her squad something useful to do. She stepped out of the car and raised her hand, as she'd been instructed to get their attention. Suddenly a small group of brainbots surrounded her, awaiting instructions.

"Outline the exit for me until I leave, then one of you join me in the car," she commanded and lowered her arm to have them execute the task. The small squad immediately flew to the wall in a large rectangular formation.

She nodded in satisfaction and got back into her car. She started it, then hit the invisibility switch Megamind had installed after insisting that would be the only way she could leave or enter the lair in her own vehicle. Since she didn't want to be the cause of someone discovering his secret lair, she complied. Plus that means that now she had an invisible car. And if she was prone to evil laughter, this would be where she would let loose a cackle.

She carefully drove through the hologram that the brainbots were outlining for her. Once she was through and out in the light of day, she opened a window to allow a brainbot to come with her. One quickly joined her and she rolled the window up so there wasn't a gap in her invisibility before pulling out. She kept the invisibility on until she felt like it was a disadvantage that other cars couldn't see her.

When she parked at her apartment building, she gave her little buddy instructions to meet her on the balcony without being seen. Once she got inside, she let him in and closed the blinds.

"If anybody but Megamind or Minion comes, I need you to hide. Understand?" she instructed. It'd be just her luck if a neighbor came by to check on her and they just happened to notice a brainbot floating around.

"BOWG," it answered and continued to float in front of her.

She sighed and muttered, "Good enough, I guess. We really have a gap in two-way communication here. Oh well, let's start in the bedroom."

Several hours later and she had packed, loaded her car, showered, and changed into a slinky blue dress for her date tonight. She was taking a break and reading while waiting for her beau to arrive. There was a knock at the door over an hour earlier than she expected and she smiled. They would just have to find something to do while they waited for their reservation time.

She was already in the act of swinging the door open when she realized that her Megamind-sensor was pointing the other way.

"Heya, Roxaroo," Hal greeted her as the door opened. The one good thing about losing her job was that she hadn't had to put up with her cameraman since then. Well until now.

"Hal? What are you doing here?" she asked, stunned to see the portly red-head.

He squeezed into her apartment before she could think about blocking him. Who just enters without being invited?!

"Hey, Roxie. So, I heard you and Metro Man broke up. That's a tough break," he said with false sympathy.

"Yeah, it wasn't working out," she told him. "Look, Hal. Thanks for checking up on me, but I have plans tonight." She purposely kept hold of the open door so he would get the hint.

"Oh yeah. Me too," he replied and sat at her kitchen island. "But you know, I was thinking. Since you're not dating anyone, how about we go out?"

"Sorry, Hal, but I am dating someone. I'm waiting on her right now. So, you should go," she told him firmly. And since they had decided to keep up with the 'Megan' ruse until they went public, she had to keep a check on her pronouns.

"You and another chick? That's hot," Hal replied. Creepily. "But that's not, like, for-real dating. Come on. You should give me a chance! I know all about you, we used to work together. We'd have fun."

"No, Hal. I'm sorry, but I'm seeing someone else," Roxanne said sharply. Sometimes that was the only way he'd listen. And she really wanted him to leave. Fortunately, when she moves into the lair, he won't be able to find her.

He threw his hands up in surrender and got down off of her bar stool. "Ok, ok. That's cool," he said as he moved to the door sticking his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie.

As he passed by her, he suddenly turned and pointed a very familiar spray can at her face. Before she could even gasp in surprise, he pressed the top and she was doused with the familiar scent of knock-out spray before everything went black.