In What They've Needed I had a scene in which I wrote Roxanne using fighting tips she learned from Megamind to defend herself against Adam. I thought it would be a quite one-shot to actually write that lesson. I envision this taking place sometime after chapter 12.

A Different Kind of Dance

After their run in with Adam, and with his growing concern for her safety, Megamind took it upon himself to teach Roxanne at least a few self-defense moves, should she ever need them. It was after dinner one night that he told her to change into some more flexible clothing and to meet him downstairs.

"So what's going on?" she inquired once she met him downstairs. The floor had been cleared and she looked around curiously.

"I figured that it's prudent to teach you how to defend yourself, considering the current situation that is. And besides it's always good to know how to keep oneself safe."

"I thought that's what I had you for." she gave him a sultry smile and wrapped her arms around his neck, to which his cheeks and ears turned purple in a blush.

"And I'll always protect you, never doubt that. But I still want you to learn." with that he gave her a swift pat on the bum and turned from her embrace, not missing the amused yet shocked expression on her face. "Now then, if you were to hit me, how you do you it?"

"Well I wouldn't hit you." she countered. He smirked and chuckled in response.

"And I thank you for that my dear. But for a moment let's pretend that I'm once more a vile villain, set out on harming you."

"You never meant to harm me." she said.

"Well then let's pretend I'm a truly evil villain, intent on harming you. For the sake of education my dear Miss Ritchi."

"Well.. I'd.." she hesitated, looking at him. She swung out and he easily caught her hand.

"Well it's not terrible, but it's a good way to break your thumb." he gently turned her hand over in his and released her fist before folding it back up into the proper form. "You want to keep your thumb on the outside, and wrap it down across the bottom of your other fingers, across your index and middle really. And don't clench your fist quite so tightly." He smirked gently, trailing his fingers over hers.

"When you strike, you want to aim more with your first two knuckles than the flats of your fingers, less likely to get a break that way and it will be more effective. Tilt your wrist, like so, and try to keep it aligned here and here." he slowly trailed his fingers up her wrist and to her forearm, delighting in the shiver his ministrations caused. He moved around her, trailing his hand across her waist and came to stand behind her.

"Now then my dear, when you strike, the part of the fist that should be taking the impact is the flat area between the second and third knuckles. You want to keep your wrist straight while making impact there to maximize the force you dish out.." All the while he slowly guided her arm and wrist, speaking gently into her ear, his breath moving her hair to tickle her skin.

"And lastly, turn your body, like so;" he guided her in her turn, angling her body slightly sideways. "Use this foot as a sort of leverage, to gain more power. Push off and swing." he moved then to stand in front of her, holding his hands up in front of his face. "Now try again my dear."

Roxanne swung out as she had been taught and he caught her fist again, smiling as he did so.

"Much better. But fighting is more than knowing how to throw a punch; though that is important." he snorted. "Fighting is a sort of call and answer between your adversary and you. Although you want to be the one in control of course...and well it's a bit of dance really." he turned from her then and walked to the stereo in the corner, turning on the music. Roxanne chuckled as he returned to face her.

"I never pegged tango as fighting music."

"Well no, not exactly, but it is rather good dancing music. And for now, while we are starting slow anyway, it provides a good beat. Now my dear, the first and most important thing to remember, besides the punch, is to always focus; always observe your opponent and learn from them; watch their mistakes and weaknesses. Find their strengths. And never let them back you into a corner."

"Right; watch, learn, don't get trapped." Roxanne nodded. Megamind smiled at her then, taking a ready stance.

"Exactly. So if I were to go here..." he trailed off and stepped towards her, swinging an arm out. He would never hit her of course, and would have quickly redirected his arm. But Roxanne ducked swiftly, side stepping him. His smile grew then.

"Very good. And if I were to go this way?" He stepped to the side, moving to swing out once more. She blocked him easily and sent out her own jab at him. "I've always admired what a quick learner you are." he complemented.

Back and forth they went; Mykael grew even more impressed with how quickly Roxanne was learning. When she moved to swing out at him again he caught her hand, and wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his body. She gasped in surprised and looked at him, a blush tinting her cheeks. His lips tilted up in a seductive smirk and spun them around, leading her in a tango. The moves were unfamiliar to her, having never danced a tango before. But it wasn't the first time that they had danced together, and she was able to pick up on his lead. His hand trailed down her side and lifted her leg over his hip, leaning back before returning the appendage.

"I've always found the tango very alluring, don't you? The music, the way it flows...the partner." he dipped her low before snapping her back up again, gazing into her eyes. She was rather breathless when she spoke, a certain tingle in her belly was fighting to overtake her senses.

"And where on earth did you learn to tango?"

"The internet has many uses Miss Ritchi. Why it's easy enough to find a number of videos on all sorts of things." he spun and dipped her again, keeping her low and hovering over her. Slowly he brought them to standing again and she rested her forehead against his, their lips nearly brushing.

"This is probably another one of those things you would have liked to know when I was still trying to get you to be my evil queen, isn't it?" he teased her. Roxanne let out a short laugh and brought her hand up behind his neck.

"Just shut up and kiss me."

Hours later the couple lay in a tangle of sheets, sated and exhausted, their clothing at various points of the room. Roxanne chuckled as she lay her head on his chest, trailing her hand up and down his stomach.

"So are there any other exciting secrets I should know about?"

"All in due time Miss Ritchi. All in due time."

well there you have it. I hope you all enjoy it. And for those wondering, yes I AM still working on the sequel...it's been taking a while and life has gotten in the way more than once. But it is happening! As always thanks for sticking by and for all your kind words, reviews and support :)