Disclaimer- I don't own WordGirl & co. All the stuff in this fiction are from me and not the show's creators.
Tuesday afternoon was just as nasty as Monday's. It had begun to rain just as school was letting out. Students covered their heads with textbooks as they ran through the rain while some teachers held back hoping the storm would let up.
Becky on the other hand had made a mad dash for the back doors of the school without a word to her teacher. She had heard several cries for help from the corner grocery store. And by the nature of the crime it sounded like she might finally have a chance to catch Chuck the Evil Sandwich Making Guy.
Her hunch was right. Chuck was holding the store manager hostage for all of the sandwich worthy items in the store.
"Hold it right there Chuck!"
WordGirl flew through the door and took a fighting pose. Chuck raised his mustard ray as she did so.
"WordGirl you …" Chuck lowered his weapon. "You changed your suit?"
"Yeah, so?" WordGirl lost her daring stance. "Is there something wrong with it?"
"No, no, it's just . . .um"
"It's the color isn't it?"
"Well, kind of. I just don't think it's you."
"Well, fashion sense won't help where you're going, Chuck." WordGirl braced herself for a fight.
"Oh yeah. We'll just see about that."
Mustard, ketchup, relish and oils went flying. WordGirl dodged out of the way just narrowly escaping a bath in sticky condiments.
Without Huggy, WordGirl would have to be extra careful not to get hit; she'd never be able to free herself fast enough. She dodged yet another round of sprays as the ticket dispenser from the deli line caught her eye.
At that moment, the door to the store opened and a rather oblivious costumer made his way into the store and into the mist of the fight.
Mr. Botsford had come to the store in hopes of buying a half gallon of milk. He didn't want to buy a whole gallon since he and his family would be gone in a week.
"Excuse me," Mr. Botsford walked right through the fight in search of the manager. "Do you sell half gallons of milk?"
"Of course we do, they're in . . ." Before the manager could finish his statement he was yelled at by his captor.
"You're not supposed to be selling anything; you're supposed to be scared" Chuck barked.
"And so should you Chuck!"
Before Chuck could even think about aiming his ray, WordGirl had tied him up in his moment of distraction with tickets.
"Aw, not again, this isn't fair. I was um, what's the word? You know when something distracts you." Chuck turned to WordGirl.
"You were sidetracked." WordGirl smiled.
"I was what?"
"Sidetracked; it means you had your attention diverted. You were unfocused like when my da . . . Mr. Botsford distracted you during our fight you got . . ."
"Sidetracked. I get it now."
"Great," WordGirl grinned as she waved for the police standing in the store lobby to come in and finish the job. "Hopefully nothing will sidetrack these officers from doing their job."
Chuck only frowned at her intended pun.
WordGirl then flew to the store manager and untied the ropes Chuck had wrapped him in.
"Thanks WordGirl."
"Don't mention it."
Mr. Botsford came to the manager of the store with his milk jug.
"I'm ready to buy."
"Great," The manger made his way toward the check-out counter. "Bring it here."
As Mr. Botsford stepped into line WordGirl tapped his shoulder.
"Mister?"
"Oh hi WordGirl, I love the new outfit."
"Thanks. You know, you shouldn't saunter through danger like that."
Mr. Botsford placed his milk jug on the counter and then scratched his chin.
"Saunter means to 'walk' right?"
Another costumer joined the line as the milk was bagged and paid for. This new costumer couldn't help but over hear the conversation as she pushed her cart against the counter.
WordGirl explained.
"Saunter does mean to walk at an unhurried pace. Or stroll . . ."
"Or you could say mosey, amble, meander, wander, or even promenade if the situation calls for it."
Both WordGirl and Mr. Botsford turned to look at the woman that had joined them in line. She smiled at the two's confused expressions before continuing.
"One could also say toddle, though I wouldn't use it. It sounds like a word one would only use on babies."
The woman began taking items out of her cart and placing them on the counter's conveyor belt.
"I feel smarter now. " Mr. Botsford laughed. He collected his milk and waved good-bye to everyone still in the store.
The manager began ringing up the woman's items.
"Wow," WordGirl said giving her attention to the lady. "That's a pretty impressive vocabulary."
WordGirl then decided to help the woman out by using her super speed to get the items on the counter faster.
"And you've got quite a remarkable knack for acceleration."
"Thanks." WordGirl finished placing the last item on the belt.
"Is it safe for me to presume that you are WordGirl, the protector of this city and former resident of Lexicon?"
That was an awkward question. The first time she met any new citizen it was normal for them to ask questions, but never had they asked one like this. Former resident?
"Maybe."
The woman extended her hand to which WordGirl unwillingly shook.
"I am very happy to have met you and under such favorable circumstances." the woman smiled brightly. "You see, I am your biggest fan and you would more than honor me if I could ask you a few questions."
What WordGirl really wanted to do was go look for Dr. Two-Brains, still, it wouldn't hurt to speak with a fan, for only a minute.
"Sure, why not." WordGirl sighed.
"What's your favorite color?"
This was the question from her biggest fan?
"It's red of course." It was then WordGirl remembered she was wearing her purple suit; the woman must have thought she changed.
"Other than defining words, what would you say your strong suits are?"
"Uh, reading, fighting, and . . . homework?" WordGirl shrugged and then glanced down at her watch. This was annoying. The lady spoke.
"Your favorite animal?"
"Unicorns."
"Oh I love unicorns, they're so beautiful, a little temperamental, but dazzling creatures nonetheless."
The woman went on to ask what felt like hundreds of questions. Finally WordGirl had to stop the lady.
"Look, I really have to be going."
"Oh of course, just one more infringement into your personal life? Please?"
"Fine." WordGirl could not mask her vexation, but the woman before her did not seem to mind.
"Do you remember the planet Lexicon?"
Silence.
"Do you remember the first day you came to Mother Earth then?" The lady frowned at the reaction she received. "I'll take that as a no."
They lady extended her hand which WordGirl took again to shake good-bye.
A long time must have passed between them, for when the two finally broke their gaze from each other the manager had finished bagging the groceries.
"Well, I must be going. God bless you WordGirl and may you have a radiant afternoon."
WordGirl just remained suspended where she was. There was something about that lady that felt . . . familiar and yet, very, very distant.
As the lady turned to leave WordGirl spoke up again.
"Hold on a second, what was your name?"
"Didn't I tell you, oh silly me I must have forgot." The woman came back to WordGirl and shook her hand again. "My name is Nona."
The woman waved as she left; the image of her face still lingering in WordGirl's mind.
WordGirl wasn't left to ponder this strange moment for long.
"Heeeelp!"
The truly familiar voice of WordGirl's neighbor could be heard. "Two-Brains is in the park! Where's the police station?"
"Word Up."
The park was completely empty due to the rain. It was amazing to think that anyone would have seen the doctor here. But at least now WordGirl was sure Dr. Two-Brains was making appearances around the city. And maybe Huggy was right.
Two-Brains was probably rigging the city so he could threaten it for cheese. Well not if she could help it.
The playground, the ball field, the picnic tables, every inch of the park was searched, but there was neither sign of bomb nor creator.
"Where could he be hiding?"
Wet and tired, WordGirl decided it would be best to give up the search today. Two-Brains was nowhere to be found.
Upon arriving at home, Becky was greeted by her father.
"There she is," Mr. Botsford smiled at his daughter. "You're all wet Becky."
Becky rolled her eyes with a grin. She found that her dad's ability to state the obvious and yet miss the fact that she was WordGirl, always made for a humorous moment.
"Yeah, I got caught in the down pour."
Becky kicked her shoes off at the door and began removing her damp sweater. There was no need to drip through the house.
As Becky was stopped at the door, she could hear the maniacal laughter of Dr. Two-Brains from the television. Becky then began trying to yank the sweater off her head so she could see the screen.
"Hello WordGirl, oh, and anyone else watching,"
The rest of the Botsford family gathered in the living room to see what had happened to their regularly scheduled programming.
"I demand that this city deliver to me all of the town's cheese by sunset tomorrow, or I'll destroy the city's bridge and central park."
The Botsfords gasped as Becky simply continued fighting with the wet garment on her head. At least she could still hear the doctor.
"I bet you're wondering how the city is going to collect all its cheese in one day, eh WordGirl?"
Pop!
Finally the sweater relinquished its hold on her as did the bandage on her face; too wet to hold on any longer. Becky promptly gave the background of the television a good stare. It looked like he was at the city's Yacht and Country Club. She just might be able to nab that baddie tonight.
No time to lose.
"Word-"
"Shhh." TJ hushed his sister, never once taking his eyes off the screen. "I want to hear what Two-Brains has to say to WordGirl."
That was close. Becky had almost forgotten her family was still standing in the room. She needed to be more careful.
Becky decided to just silently tell her mom that she needed to leave. Her excuse could be. . . that she dropped something on the way home. That was a good one.
"Hey mom."
"Yes, Becky."
"I think I dropped something on the way home from school; I'm going to go look for. . ." Before Becky could finish her mother cut her off.
"Whatever it is I'm sure it can wait." Mrs. Botsford turned to her pouting daughter's face. "Tonight we're going to have family night, and you have a science project to finish."
Stupid nonexistent science project and family fun activities. Becky had to leave now otherwise Two-Brains was going to change locations.
"But mom, I don't want it to get washed away in the rain."
"I'm certain it couldn't have been that important if you dropped it in the first place, Becky."
"But mom, I, I need it."
Becky could just see Two-Brains escaping the country club, and all her mother could do was fold her arms and shake her head.
"Well, what is it that's so important?" Sally didn't sound all that interested in knowing what it was. She was going to say 'no' regardless of how important Becky tried to make it sound.
Becky didn't want to be mad at her mom; it wasn't her mother's fault, but Becky couldn't stop the aggravation that slipped out in her words.
"That's not fair, I need it and you're letting it get away."
"Don't take that tone with me young lady." Sally was completely surprised by Becky's intonation, but she was even more taken aback by her own. She had never spoken to Becky like that. But after doing it once, it was easier to do it again. "Now I said no, and that's final. You head upstairs right now and finish your homework. Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes."
Becky stomped upstairs to her room and closed the door with a slight slam. Of all the times her mother could have held her back, why did it have to be when violent criminals were within reach?
Becky folded her arms and sat on the edge of her bed. If it were possible, steam would have been coming out of her ears.
Bob was excited to see that his friend had come home. He had been working feverously on fixing the WordGirl outfit and was hoping to gain Becky's approval on it. That was until he saw the rather large frown fixated on her face.
Bob asked what was wrong as he climbed the sheets onto the bed.
"I think I know where Dr. Two-Brains is hiding," Becky unfolded her arms, gesticulating along with every word. "Mom's got it in her head to keep me here though. All I need is like, two minutes to catch him, but no, mom has to be all like, 'You're staying home and that's final.' I mean, she's never done that before. I just need to . . ."
At that thought Becky quit rambling; she had fifteen minutes until dinner.
"Bob, I need you to cover for me," Becky got to her feet and went to her window. "I'm going to get Dr. Two-Brains and be back before mom knows I've been gone."
Bob stared at Becky for a moment before voicing his concern.
"Don't worry so much Bob . . . If mom comes to the door use this."
Becky had in her room a small speaker with per-recorded messages on it. It had worked well fooling TJ into thinking it was her when Granny May had babysat. She handed it over to Bob before changing into WordGirl.
"I'll be back in no time. Thanks Bob." Out she went.
Sigh.
Why did it always seem that he got stuck with the hard jobs? Doubtlessly Becky would not return in time for dinner and she would be mad at him later for not being able to cover for her.
Bob just shrugged. There wasn't anything he could really do about it.
He got comfortable in the bed and decided to wait for the inevitable. It was the first real break he had gotten all day.
Aside from working on the red WordGirl costume, Bob had been plagued by dreams of his past; unpleasant events he would much rather forget. Strange they would come back to him at such a time as this.
No, he wasn't going to remember those thoughts. He didn't want to remember those thoughts.
Bob shook his head. He didn't want to be bothered by such disturbing images, yet they were coming back.
He was unable to fight them. With no distraction to keep his mind sidetracked there was no way to stop the memories from coming.
He had remembered fleeing Lexicon all those years ago. He never gave much thought to those times as they only upset him. Why now? Why were these memories haunting him now?
Bob had never focused his attention to sorting out the events of that day. He had merely accepted them and moved on to fulfill what he could of his promise; a promise that now lay six feet below the royal church yard of Lexicon. A promise he never did carry out being the ship was stranded on the planet Earth.
What had happened that day when they had escaped?
He remembered the gun shots, the prince losing his life while running back to his mother . . .
Everyone had lost their life. Everyone one but Becky that is. Why had that soldier spared her?
Bob remembered the look on the young man's face as he held the gun to the small infant's head. The man looked so focused, so determined to carry out his mission, and yet he didn't.
He only smiled, wickedly, pointing for Bob to escape with Becky in his arms.
That smile; that face he could never forget.
To that man Becky's life was as frivolous as a speck of dust, but he spared her. There was something about that smile that made Bob sick. Even now he couldn't help but feel queasy. For the first few months he couldn't shake the thought that one day that man would come and finish the job. But luckily that fear was never realized.
Another wave of sadness came over the monkey as his mind drifted back to the other occupants of that room. Those gun shots were aimed at some of the most important people on Lexicon.
Eight very important people and one dear one. The leaders of Lexicon and the person they trusted to save their children; the person he had to leave behind to the mercy of their bullets.
Lexicon's king hugged his eldest son of nine as his wife ushered their two youngest to go with Huggy through a small opening in the royal nursery. The two boys were so scared to leave their mother, but her words prompted them to trust; if only for a moment. And in his arms, Huggy received the daughter of Noah and Rebecca, the King's dearest friends. The last person Huggy regretted leaving behind was a dear friend to him. As he left, the shots rang out. . .
. . .Wait,
Bob had never given the gun shots much thought, as they were the most painful thing to remember. But he left six people behind in that room that day, but there were only five gun shots. One of them didn't die!
Just then a knock could be heard at the door.
"Becky, dinner's ready."
Mrs. Botsford called from just outside the room. Bob was a bit startled by the sound. He fidgeted with the machine he had been given. Blasted thing wouldn't turn on.
Bob was beginning to sweat as Sally spoke up again.
"Becky, I said it's time to eat. . . Becky?"
The door knob began to shake.
If Becky was unsure of her mother's anger before, there would be no doubt once Sally saw that empty room.
(A/N) Thanks for reading and being patient. Please leaves reviews as you see fit.