Disclaimer : I still do not own Megamind.

Noire et Bleu
Black and Blue

WARNING ::: Contains graphic smut, gore, evilness, shadows, torture and demented fluff.

Ok, I know we all secretly hate these self-pity chapters, whine, whine, complain, complain. Sorry but it just has to be this way. I mean she just killed someone! I'd be in shock too, or at least I hope so. Anyway, I'll confess that I don't know much about the justice system but considering Wayne's position I think he would be more than capable to make a few arrangements. Also I've looked into criminal psychology in the past but it was a long time ago, I'll be reading into it a bit more in the future so I can get things right. I'm learning, slowly. *Grin*

Replies to reviews are at the bottom of the page *Luffs to all*

Chapter 02 : A Slip in the Right Direction

Song: None

All she saw was the cop preparing to take the shot and she knew what to do.

Part of him had exploded in a flurry of red, so thin it seemed barely a mist. Her eyes were stern as she watched, unfeeling at the idea of taking a man's life so easily. The shot was aimed at his heart but it had practically torn his torso in two, his arm already metres from his damaged body, strips of flesh flittering down around it like tiny red butterflies. The body itself landed with a sickening thunk and crunch, barely a husk now that his whole side had been blown into nothingness, what little was left of his inner workings spilled messily on the floor.

Every set of eyes were upon her, shock and appal on the faces of the citizens she spoke to every day, but the only orbs she payed attention to where the bright green voids that demanded greater attention than any other. Their depths reflecting her own from across the marble 'stage'.

His mouth was parted slightly, just enough for his deep breath to hiss between his teeth in a barely audible whisper of shock, his leather-clad hands wrapped protectively over each arm in turn from the threat of the looming figure beside him that had demanded all his attention moments before. He seemed more shocked than even Wayne but at the same time there was an unmistakable glitter in his eyes that caught in her throat and Roxanne clearly noticed the subtle twitch at the corner of his pale lips, itching to turn into something more than the alien allowed.

Slowly she lowered the gun to her side but dared not drop it, she didn't want anyone getting hurt, how ironic it seemed. It was then at the cue of her movement that someone from the crowd began to scream and, one by one, other people joined enraged or scared. Wayne shoved his nemesis hard out of the way and the smaller 'man' fell clumsily to the ground, his eyes stayed fixated on hers the whole while. She felt her body react with a brief surge of furry but the large figure lumbered closer and she was forced to pay attention to his rumbling voice but her eyes never strayed.

"Roxanne," Wayne hissed. "What have you done?"

She didn't reply, she couldn't decide if she didn't want to or if she was simply unable. What had she done? The weight of the gun suddenly increased and she curled her fingers around the handle.

"Put the gun down Roxy." Someone behind her soothed and she recognised the voice in an instant. She tore her blue eyes from his green and turned completely to face her friend, she didn't expect such coldness in her stare, it was harsh and the severity of the situation seemed to crash down on her shoulders with force. What had she done? "Please, Rox, put it down." She couldn't fight her friends words, not now, she complied.

With slow and deliberate movements she kneeled down, placed the gun by her knee and slowly rose to her feet, lifting her hands slightly as if to assure everyone she was no longer armed. Wayne wasted no time as he approached her, grabbing her shoulder firmly but without force, and turned her to face him. From there he simply took her wrists, cuffed them and motioned for another officer from the crowd to escort her across the mayor's lands. She breathed deep and her legs faltered briefly, only enough for her to stumble before she felt warm hands steady her. In that moments things began to blur around her and it suddenly all seemed too real and then in seconds reality faded away and she was plunged into nothingness, like the world was holding its breath. She felt numb and each movement felt like her limbs where weighted with lead, suddenly things slipped back into place, her anger and determination slid away. She had killed a man, an innocent man, and for several long minutes she had felt no remorse.

She could hear yelling and for a short moment she thought someone was speaking to her, she couldn't define their words, she couldn't even define her own thoughts. Her mouth felt dry and there was an uncomfortable pressure in her stomach. A hand weighted heavily on her head as she was guided into a seat but her mind wouldn't register more than that.

Slowly it grinded to a bitter halt.

Oh Roxanne, what have you done?

The grating metal was harsh on her ears, the slam that followed harsh on her soul. She blinked, wide eyed and didn't even attempt to stifle the ragged breath and sob that bubbled of from her throat. Thankfully it didn't go further than that and she didn't cry. She didn't cry because she wasn't sad, wasn't guilty or even sorry, it was just doubt that flooded her, doubt and uncertainty. Her arms began quiver as she lost control over her own body, it shuddered and twitched and slowly she dropped where she stood to sit on the cold, hard ground. She crouched into a ball and slowly folded in on herself, her arms wrapping instinctively around her legs as she buried her face. She wasn't sorry.

"Gods, what have I done." she whispered.

"You killed an innocent man." Came an unexpected reply, she knew who it was. The all mighty Metro-Man. She held herself tighter, her shacking body settling into a dull hum. She felt bitter, more to him than anyone else.

"Roxanne," He barely whispered, she stayed silent. "Why? W-what were you thinking?"

'You shouldn't have aimed your gun, then I wouldn't have had to aim mine.'

The clear memory stung her and she fought hard to supress the sob.

When it became apparent that she wouldn't answer Wayne sighed deeply but stayed where he was, allowing the silence to stretch on for several painful minutes before he spoke again.

"I can't do anything for you, there's nothing I could say… You've done a very bad thing Roxy… I… I expected more from you."

She felt a sharp pang of guilt that intensified, not because she was guilty for what she had done but because she should have been. Wayne should never have had to speak to her like this, there was no warmth in his words, and she had never heard him so… Defeated. It was her doing and hers alone and she felt, honestly, that she was not wrong and she knew that it was. She had done wrong, she knew she had done wrong, her head knew this but her body, her heart, had thought it had done the right thing.

Wayne turned to leave but Roxanne quickly stood, too quickly and she almost lost her balance. Wayne stepped closer but restrained himself from sliding open the door.

"Wayne…" She started, not sure what to say. "T-this… This is wrong; I think I'm wrong…"

"Of course you are, you killed a man, Roxy-"

"No." Her words felt unusually harsh. "I think I'm wrong."

Wayne looked more concerned than Roxanne was comfortable with, he didn't just look at her, he looked through her and only the gods knew what he could see.

The silence became uncomfortable and they simply stood, Roxanne could no longer meet his gaze.

Finally he turned away again and without a word left her in her cell, alone.

She didn't sleep that night, she didn't even move from her position, she stood or she sat, at one point she curled up on her side but come morning she was back on her feet and stood facing the wall. Her mind had practically shut down and the moment the officer had blown up had replayed in her head over and over like a loop in a damaged cd. She wanted to know why she'd done it but the reasoning seemed to have been lost to her mind. She tried walking through the event step by step, lunch with her friends, getting ready, arriving, Megamind and then the aiming of his gun. Nothing there, it was just… Empty, like part of her mind packed its bag and left.

"Roxanne?"

Her dull blue eyes snapped up with far more ferocity than she intended and was hurt when her friend stepped back slightly, worry glimmering in her amber-brown eyes.

"Sorry" Roxanne sighed with a hint of desperation. "I didn't know it was you."

"I'd be concerned that you would look at anyone like that but after yesterday…"

Janey looked stern but her eyes quickly softened. "Rox… I know you; I've known you for years, long enough to know you're not a criminal. I don't know why you did it but… I'm sure you had a reason. I… Wayne arranged everything, Rox, you're to come home with me… We can sort this all out."

Roxanne didn't smile, she looked away and felt a sudden surge of arrogance. She snuffed it quickly and was surprised with her own reaction, had she really thought herself above his help, above Janeys?

"Thank-you." She murmured.

"Don't." Janey replied. "Not yet. You're in it pretty deep, Rox. I'm not sure if I can even help."

"But you already have."

They drove in silence but Janey's cautious looks where not lost to Roxanne, she didn't like it. They had known each other a long time; she was still the same person, why was she so worried to be alone with her?

'Because you're a killer' her mind added enthusiastically. She fought of the urge to reply with a witty remark and felt just that bit more insane for wanting to. She just needed some sleep, that's all. She wasn't convinced.

The car pulled into a short drive and Roxanne blinked absent-mindedly at the small one story house, the bright cream curtains drawn wide on several windows though she couldn't see inside. She had only been here a few times before and it always surprised her to think of Janey, her fashion adviser, living so humbly.

"Come on Rox." Her friend soothed as she pulled the door open and offered to help Roxanne out of the car.

She didn't accept her friend's assistance and ignored her when she seemed slightly put-out. The morning sun was uncomfortable, like it showed everything she was trying to hie.

"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" Janey asked, interrupting Roxanne's thoughts as she searched for the right key to her front door.

"I'm fine." Roxanne mumbled, crossing her arms and keeping her gaze to the dusty ground.

"Are you sure? I've got some of that chicken rice you like?"

"No thanks."

"Did you want to see Wayne? I could give him a call?" She continued, leading Roxanne into the lounge before shutting and locking the door behind her.

"That's alright."

"How about a shower? The bathrooms just through-"

"I know where your bathroom is, Janey." Roxanne sighed deeply, dropping her arms to stare at her friend but she couldn't hold her gaze and eventually she let her head drop and began cradling her sides again, shrinking in on herself unintentionally.

"Sorry, er… Did you sleep? You look… Like crap, really." She laughed but it was forced and uncomfortable.

"No," Roxanne confessed. "I think I'll- I'll take that shower, if that's ok?"

"Yeah, of course. There are clean towels in the cupboard under the sink, help yourself to anything you need."

Roxanne nodded and didn't meet her friends eyes as she slid passed and into the hallway. It was fairly short and looked like a T, the bathroom, toilet and laundry on the right and the bedrooms to the left. She shuffled uneasily, barely moving as her feet took careful steps. The door to the bathroom was open and a soft smell of soap wafted out, almost inviting her in.

The room was small, much smaller than her bathroom back home and there was barely enough room to move about. She shut the door quietly and made sure to lock it before turning to the wall length mirror wedged between a scratched ceramic bath and the pale-white sink. She felt a pang of sadness deep in her stomach and subconsciously began to smooth her hair and dress.

She looked… Normal. Perhaps a bit rough and tired but there was nothing different, she was still herself. Still… Her eyes. Her eyes were not hers. Those eyes where different, they mocked her as if they knew something she did not. Murderer they screamed.

"Justified" she hissed back. "He would have died"

'So it's better to save the life of a criminal? Better to kill a good man?'

"Who said he was a good man, he was willing to take a life without necessity."

'Was it out of necessity that you killed him? Why switch the dial? Dehydrate would have worked just fine.'

She glared at her reflection, her lip curled in an ugly sneer. She wanted to break that face, the one that laughed at her with those lying eyes.

'Why did you kill him?'

"Shut up" She hissed, closing her eyes and lifting her hands to her face

'Why did you kill him?'

"Shut up!" She growled louder.

'Why.'

"I don't know!" She yelled, no longer caring about what her friend would think, no longer caring at all. She didn't try to stop the tears, she cried until her eyes were red and then cried for even longer, she curled up on the cold hard floor, her face tucked in her arms and her knees to her chest. The question didn't leave her, it looped over and over.

Why had she killed him? Why had she done it? She had blown him apart; his freaking arm went flying off in the other direction! Who could do that to someone? She wouldn't do it to her friends next, would she? Was she going to start killing people down at the grocer? Would she be pulling legs off kittens in a homemade video sent out to the masses? By the gods what was wrong with her?

What was wrong with him?

She fell silent, her chest heaving with each dry, rasping sob. Her head was so flooded with emotion she couldn't even pinpoint which one was strongest, her body ached and her stomach threatened to return her last meal, she uncurled enough to look at her hands, the shook fiercely and she quickly tucked them away, closeing her eyes again and tried to take steady breaths.

What was wrong with her… What was wrong with… His voice filled her head.

("Why don't you just kill him already, hasn't he caused enough trouble?"

"It is for the law to decide what shall be done about this criminal, it is not my right to decide and this city has always voted no for the death penalt-"

"Then why do you keep letting him escape? Why does the mayor? Shouldn't more precautions be taken? Why just a few months ago the man literally walked out of prison!"

"We are already spending a large sum of the taxpayers money for these precautions, there is little else we can do-"

"Except kill him-" )

Her blubbering came to a screeching halt and she could feel the cogs in her mind slow. "How dare he", she snarled through gritted teeth. He had wanted to do it, he wanted to kill Megamind, he would have found a way and he was looking for an excuse. Looking for the city to agree, that man needed to die because he would not have allowed Megamind to live. The truth was as clear as day. She remembered her finger on that trigger and she knew in a moment if things where set back she would do it all over again.

Roxanne was foolish to doubt herself. That man deserved to die. He would have killed Megamind in cold blood so she had killed him just the same.

She stood on shaking legs, still exhausted from her crying, and wondered how long she had laid there lost to the world and its shadows. She didn't look at her reflection again, she was scared of what she would find there, and instead she faced the shower in the far corner of the room and carefully slid the dress from her shoulders. It fell noiselessly to the bathroom floor and with it she felt the weight of all her stress fall with it. She sighed and for the first time since she had pulled the trigger it was not full of sadness, worry or disdain. It was a pleasurable and drawn out exhale of her worries.

She removed her shoes slowly, unbuckling each cord methodically before sliding her aching feet out and stepping into the shower. She didn't bother with her lingerie, she suspected Wayne would be there when she came out and she was never sure if he was the kind to sneak a peek. She opted for a safer route and double checked the black lace to be sure it covered everything it needed to. Not that she doubted Wayne couldn't have looked through it but it still made her feel more comfortable. Just one more obstacle in his way.

She stood to the side as she turned the hot to full, waiting for the steam before she lowered it and slowly increased the cold. She felt… She wasn't sure what she felt but she knew she wasn't in the mood to freeze herself or burn herself for that matter. She wanted to before. She took more caution than she usually did; testing the water several times before she sunk to the bottom of the shower and leaned against the cold tiles. Her body protested with a shudder but the tiles warmed quickly and her body relaxed even more than it had before.

She closed her eyes tight, hiccupping slightly as her body lapsed briefly into another fit of near tears. She pushed the feeling away quickly and took slow, deep breaths. She needed to find a way out of this mess, she was a reporter and a damn fine one at that, she just needed to put her party face on and deal with this mess like she had dealt with dozens before. What would she do now? How could she make the public forget what had happened?

She couldn't… but perhaps she could work it to her advantage.

She jumped as a loud thud echoed around the room.

"Roxanne?" she cringed at his voice.

"It's okay, I'm f-fine" She called, almost hitting herself when her voice faltered slightly.

"That's god to hear, Roxy, but it's not why I'm here." He had to speak loud over the sound of the running water. "Could you come out a moment?"

"She only just got in there." She heard her friend though it was apparent she didn't want to be heard.

"I'll be out in a few minutes." Roxanne called out firmly, hushing any talk taking place just outside the door.

She wrapped the light blue towel around herself, its fluffy warmth unusually comforting. She debated slipping into her dress before facing Wayne but she didn't want the evidence of yesterday pressed against her skin any longer. She knew she wouldn't wear that dress again…

With an uncomfortable lurch of nervous anxiety she opened the door slowly, peeking into the empty hall with dull blue eyes before taking an uneasy step into the colder air. She shuddered and drew the towel closer, her wet hair clinging to her face and sending streams of cooling water down her back.

"Janey?"

"Coming!" Her friend called quickly, the sound of her footsteps obviously rushed.

"What's wrong?" She stuttered as her face snapped around the corner.

"I… Don't have any extra clothes." Janey sighed at her words but Roxanne couldn't understand her relief.

"I've got some trackies and a tee on the bed in my room for you. Don't be too long though, Wayne looks about ready to have a fit." She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes and Roxanne shuffled by quickly.

She shut the door firmly behind her, happy to find a lock on this door too. The moment it had clicked in place she rested her forehead against the door, her eyes drifting shut but a shuffle in the room made her eyes snap open again and she turned.

Those green eyes burned into hers with more ferocity than the sun, he was smirking widely, his gloved hands cradled in his lap as though he were an innocent child. In a smooth and almost rehearsed movement he lifted a finger to his lips and a mischievous glint touched his eyes.

"Predictable?" he whispered, lowering his finger and tilting his head with curiosity.

"Arrogant." She replied flatly.

"How so?"

"I don't have time to offer up a list."

He smirked. "Come, sit a moment."

"I'm naked" she scowled, eyeing the genius suspiciously.

"You're wearing a towel"

"It leaves little to the imagination"

"Neither does this suit" he said, his lips itching with another smirk as he gestured to his black attire.

"Doesn't seem you have much to hide" she retorted with a malicious smile

"Ouch, that hurts, are you implying that you do?" he chuckled "Have you been keeping secrets from me Miss Ritchi?"

"Perhaps, still interested?" she asked, amused.

"Painfully so" he purred in response, leaning forward to stare at her intently.

"Why are you here"

"You did a foolish thing, miss ritchi"

"I saved your life"

"Perhaps"

"You doubt it?"

"Do you?"

"No"

"Then neither do I." he said, ending the strain of conversation with an odd confidence.

"You didn't answer my question"

"And you have not yet taken your seat." He motioned to the bed beside him with finality to his tone and movements.

Reluctantly she obeyed and sat beside him, as close the edge of the bed as she could manage. He looked at her, searching her face for an answer and as he found it a very menacing smile overtook his features. She suddenly felt very vulnerable and each second that passed saw her confidence fizzle away. Eventually he spoke again, his voice gentle yet invitingly dangerous.

"I believe I own you a great deal of gratitude."

"If you wanted to thank me than it would have been wiser to come when the house isn't being patrolled by the cities great hero."

"Ah, you doubt me!" He laughed, too loud for Roxanne's liking and she quickly glanced at the door.

"Don't fret, as long as I have this the oaf is blissfully unaware." He said, pointing to a small paperclip like object on his collar. "Can't hear me, can't see me, can't really hear you, though I think you should move closer if you want to be sure."

"Oh you'd like that wouldn't you" she said, a little more seductively than she had intended. He grinned wickedly but then his face grew concerned, something Roxanne wasn't used to seeing on his blue features.

"Are you ok?" he asked, gently, kindly.

"Fine" she barely whispered, her breath hitched for a moment. In truth she wasn't sure if she was. She felt she had justified the man's death but it didn't change the fact that she had been the one to kill him. She looked away, the intensity of his gaze suddenly too much for her.

"Roxanne" He purred, reaching out to cup her cheek and turn her back to him. "If you need me, if you can't fix this, all you need to do is say so and I'll take you far away from here."

She swallowed dryly but he continued.

"Things will be okay, one way or another. I'm sorry this had to fall on you, you should have never needed to make that decision." There it was, that glint in his eyes. Was that pride? "Thank-you, I owe you my life."

"These endless talks are what get you into trouble." She scoffed but the way he looked at her made her stomach feel lighter and she felt ten times better. "Now get out you creep, sneak into this house again and I'll remove what little you have to flaunt."

He shuddered but stood swiftly before making his way to the window, with a curt nod he slipped out and she saw nothing more of him.

DreamFlight 6/9/12 . chapter 1

Thanks! I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Izzi M 6/9/12 . chapter 1

Thank you! I'm always a bit lazy when it comes to my editing but I'm glad you enjoyed it anyway. :D

starvingartist83 6/9/12 . chapter 1

Update granted =P Hehe Glad you like :3

Karen B. Jones 6/7/12 . chapter 1

I think she ran over screaming excitedly :P I'm glad you like it, I'm working on my spelling and checking over properly. ^_^

impish1

Oh gawsh, thank-you for pointing that out for me :S

Chapter End

Notes on the Criminal Mind / Contains Spoilers

'You has been warned, yes yes.'
Oh and if you has questions for this one ask away, yes yes, this one will answer!

Roxanne Ritchi by default is a good person, she is kind and nurturing and can't stand the idea of someone else hurting so imagine how it would feel to suddenly hurt someone beyond repair, someone who was a 'good' person. I've tried to have her go through several stages of emotion though I don't think I did the right job. Most murderers try to justify their actions but I wanted her to find this difficult but ultimately still be able to do it. I also tried to have her in shock but again I'm not entirely sure I'm happy with my writing.

Now I'm aware that talking to one self is definitely crazy territory along with hating your own reflection but Roxanne is fully aware of what she had done and the shock has begun to wear off. She can't look in the mirror without knowing exactly what she's done, she's looking at a murder. She also mentions 'those lying eyes', again keep in mind she's just coming out of shock and the realization of what she has done is coming down strong leaving a feeling of numbness. This reflects in her eyes like a devoid of emotion sort of look, coldness in her eyes. Those eyes that are not hers because she has never seen that look in them before. She's not looking at herself, she's looking at someone else.

Also I wasn't sure about Janey's reaction. She's obviously a good friend and cares for our dear Roxy but she's just witnessed her best friend blow up another man. Not only would she be struggling with the fact that Roxanne is a murderer but she was also witness to the crime and those sorts of images can scar a person for life. From here on out in Janey's subconscious Roxanne is automatically linked to death, blood, shock, fear and a whole array of bad emotions. To even look at her now would be causing Janey a lot of stress and worry so her reactions aren't what they should be. She's nervous and scared about her friends stability even if she is sure there was a dam good reason for Roxanne to have done what she did. She's trying to be supportive but really she doesn't know how to react.

Wayne would also be in a similar situation, more-so because they are not great friends.

THANKS FOR READING