I'm extremely sorry for the delay, just a lot of irl stuff going on. I apologize for making you folks wait for a while just for a short chapter. Short but sweet though :)
Reviews:
Canadude2029: Hey. Loving the story. Can't wait to see how it goes later. Though I was wondering while I was reading, is Marcus human or an animal?
I appreciate that you love the story! Marcus is a human, maybe I wasn't specific enough with his species but you can also look at how I present him. If he were an anthro, I would've described him having a tail and such (no reptilians).
Anonymous Reader: I guess the next chapter takes place throughout the movie?
Yup, so now Diane and Marcus' story arc intersects with the timeline of Bad Guys 1.
Announcement: For readers who are still engaged in this series, and for that I thank you. Some scenes from the movie won't be written, while this is an alternate timeline where Diane takes on another love interest, some scenes play out the same. That way I don't bore you folks with the exact same scene when you most likely watched it. Without further due, enjoy!
A week had slipped by since their idyllic getaway, marked by the usual routine but colored with the vibrant memories of their shared escape. It was a sunny late afternoon at the city's state building, the golden light casting long shadows across the polished floors. Inside a conference room, the clock neared 4:00 PM, signaling the end of another long day of preparation for the upcoming Good Samaritan Awards.
Marcus, carrying two cups of coffee, navigated his way through the bustling corridors to the conference room. He could hear laughter as he approached, the sound drawing him forward like a beacon. Pushing open the door, he found Diane, radiant and engaged, surrounded by a group of donors and staff. She was the picture of grace and competence, her laughter mingling with the light-hearted banter of the group. Marcus stood there for a moment, simply watching her, the fox he loved, glowing in her element.
As the group noticed his presence, Diane turned towards him, her face lighting up with a warm, inviting smile. Marcus, caught in the magic of that smile, felt a familiar flutter in his chest—the awe of his luck in sharing life with her. Shaking off his reverie, he walked over and handed her the coffee.
"Thank you, Marcus." Diane said as she took the cup, her voice a soft melody over the hum of conversation.
Soon, the conversation wound down, and the room began to empty as the staff and donors excused themselves, bustling off to attend to other tasks. Now alone, Diane turned fully towards Marcus, a playful yet affectionate glint in her eyes.
"You're looking quite handsome today, as always." Diane commented, her tone teasing yet sincere.
Marcus, with a mock-serious look, replied smoothly, "Just trying to keep up with you, Ms. Governor. Someone has to make sure this super secret power couple aesthetic isn't one-sided."
Diane laughed, stepping closer to him. She ran her hands up his chest, appreciating the feel of him beneath her fingers. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his in a gentle, loving kiss that Marcus eagerly returned. They shared a quiet, tender moment, the kind that deepened the already profound bond between them.
Their moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a breaking news alert from the TV mounted in the corner of the room. Reluctantly, they pulled apart and turned to watch. The screen showed live footage of the notorious Bad Guys in a high-speed car chase, their sleek black muscle car weaving through traffic as Police Chief Misty Luggins and her officers pursued them relentlessly.
Diane and Marcus watched intently as the chase on the screen unfolded with dramatic flair. The Bad Guys' sleek black muscle car sped through the city, masterfully navigating the chaos created by Ms. Tarantula's hacking skills. The green lights abruptly turned red, causing collisions and confusion among the police cars. Ms. Tarantula leaped from a traffic light and landed gracefully into the moving car.
The scene escalated as they neared a construction site. Mr. Shark, disguised as a construction worker, cleverly directed a crane to drop a platform of porta potties into the path of the pursuing police, creating a spectacular mess. He then leaped into the muscle car with a grin.
Next, Mr. Piranha burst out of the glovebox of a police cruiser, incapacitating the officer before dramatically launching himself through the windshield and into the sunroof of the getaway car. Moments later, a mysterious gas emitted from the car, incapacitating several police vehicles and causing the drivers to swerve erratically.
Marcus watched with a critical eye, his expression one of professional critique rather than amusement. "It's all a bit showy, isn't it? More flash than strategy." he remarked, his voice laced with a dismissive undertone that matched his assessment of the tactics employed.
Diane's response carried the sharpness of her alter ego, the Crimson Paw, though veiled in the guise of casual observation. "Mediocre at best." she declared with a smirk, her tone dripping with the arrogance of someone who had seen—and executed—far better. "They're relying on gimmicks. It's all very... amateur."
She glanced at Marcus with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "You know, if I were to unleash you and your team on them, it'd be over before they could even pull off their next cheap trick."
Marcus chuckled, the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement at the notion. "No doubt about that. We'd cut their little escapade short in no time," he responded, playing along with her tease but also acknowledging the truth in her words.
The chase ended in a notable fiasco, with the Bad Guys turning Misty Luggins and the police department into a laughing stock. The scene displayed a massive pile-up of police cars, incurring substantial taxpayer expenses. The helicopter camera zoomed in on a furious Misty Luggins, seething atop the mangled cruisers. Marcus shook his head with a rueful sigh and turned off the TV. "That's going to be a hefty price tag for the city." he remarked, his tone laced with a mix of irritation and disbelief.
As they resumed their walk down the quiet hallway of the state building, Diane glanced at Marcus with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "I still need to find the perfect dress for the Good Samaritan Awards tomorrow." she mentioned, her voice playful and teasing.
Marcus's mind wandered, envisioning Diane in various stunning dresses that would surely turn heads. His daydream was so vivid that he didn't notice Diane's gentle nudge at first.
"Earth to Marcus, do you copy?" Diane teased with a theatrical raise of her eyebrows, enjoying the sight of the blush that was coloring his cheeks. "Or should I send a search party to bring you back from the depths of your daydreams?"
Marcus cleared his throat, a hint of red tinting his cheeks as he tried to gather his thoughts. "Sorry, I was just... deep in strategic planning—for tomorrow's event, of course."
Diane's laughter was warm and infectious, echoing gently in the hallway. "Strategic planning, huh?" she teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a playful whisper, "Or could it be that the excitement for tomorrow's gala is prompting you to consider some... rather unconventional strategies?"
Caught in the playful trap, Marcus admitted, "Maybe a little bit of both."
Diane leaned in closer, her voice a whisper that seemed to caress his ear. "What if I picked an outfit so breathtaking that it completely threw you off your game? How would you cope with that distraction, Mr. Bodyguard?"
"That would definitely test my professionalism." Marcus confessed, his voice tinged with mock concern and genuine anticipation.
"And if you find yourself utterly distracted?" Diane asked, her lips nearly brushing against his ear, sending shivers down his spine.
"Then I suppose you'll have achieved your goal of stealing the spotlight." Marcus responded, playing along with her teasing challenge.
"And perhaps..." Diane continued, her tone playful yet promising, "If you're thoroughly distracted, I might just have to reward your distraction with something special later on."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A reward for being distracted doesn't sound very disciplinary." he remarked.
Diane smiled, her eyes gleaming with affection and amusement. "Oh, it's not about discipline tomorrow night. Think of it as... positive reinforcement for appreciating the finer things in life."
Diane's eyes still twinkled with mischief as she shifted the conversation back to a more pressing topic. "Speaking of appreciating the finer things, I was thinking of sneaking away this evening to downtown." she said, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "A friend of mine just opened a boutique there, and I could really use your eye for style to help pick out the perfect dress for tomorrow."
Marcus, clearly pleased by the idea of a secret outing with Diane, nodded with a warm smile. "I like that idea. It'll be good to get away for a bit before everything kicks off tomorrow."
As they approached another conference room to finalize plans for the Good Samaritan Awards, Diane's secretary, Ariana, a vibrant young woman full of energy, intercepted them with a quick step. "Governor." she began, her voice carrying a hint of melody despite the serious news, "The press is like, totally buzzing about the Bad Guys' latest wild chase and they're super eager for a statement from you."
Diane nodded slightly, her expression shifting effortlessly to one of authoritative calm. "Ask them to hold off a bit longer. We'll address everything once this meeting is wrapped up."
Ariana gave a quick nod, her steps brisk as she hurried off to manage the awaiting reporters.
Turning back to Marcus, Diane exchanged a glance filled with mutual understanding, a silent acknowledgment of their shared need for a momentary escape. "Just a bit of mystery before we return to the public eye." she remarked with a hint of playfulness, her smile suggesting the promise of their evening's private venture.
With that subtle exchange, they moved into the conference room. Ready to fine-tune the arrangements for tomorrow's ceremony.
After the meeting, Diane prepared to step up and address the latest spectacle caused by the Bad Guys. Tiffany Fluffit of Channel 6 Action News set the stage, her voice a familiar echo in the bustling crowd, "What up? It's Tiffany Fluffit, Channel 6 Action News. The Bad Guys have struck again with their most brazen heist yet, proving once more that they are the most diabolical criminals of our time. To address this heinous crime is the newly elected governor, Diane Foxington." At the mention of her name, Diane approached the podium set before the state building's grand entrance.
As she settled in front of the microphone, a flurry of questions erupted from the assembled reporters. Diane, embodying composure, raised her hands slightly and with a soothing, "Okay. Yeah. I hear you. I hear you." quickly calmed the clamor, her presence effortlessly commanding attention.
She continues on, her voice clear and resonant, "Listen, listen. We all know how dastardly the Bad Guys are. But more than anything..." Diane chuckled, her laughter briefly lightening the tense atmosphere, "I feel sorry for them. These so-called Bad Guys are really just second-rate has-beens. Behind their amateurish antics and, frankly, unoriginal capers… I mean, really, another bank?… is nothing but a deep well of anger, denial, and self-loathing. And those are holes that no amount of cash or priceless art can ever fill. So can we just forget about the Bad Guys and focus on more positive things? And what could be more positive than the Annual Good Samaritan Awards, where tomorrow night I will present the Golden Dolphin to this year's goodest citizen!"
As Diane wrapped up her remarks about shifting focus from the Bad Guys to more positive events, the sea of reporters quickly adapted their lines of questioning, eager to dive into the details of the upcoming Good Samaritan Awards.
"What can we expect in terms of highlights at the Awards tomorrow, Governor Foxington?" one reporter called out.
Diane, seizing the moment to promote the event further, responded with enthusiasm. "Well, aside from honoring our city's most selfless citizens, we'll be showcasing some remarkable local art. Expect a few stunning pieces from emerging artists—works that truly capture the spirit of community and selflessness."
Another journalist chimed in, "Will there be any special guests or performances we should look out for?"
"With the awards aiming to celebrate community heroes, we've invited several local performers who embody the spirit of giving back. It's going to be a night of heartfelt stories and inspirational talent." Diane explained, her words painting an inviting picture of the event.
Satisfied with the insights, the reporters scribbled down notes, their curiosity about the criminal antics of the Bad Guys now replaced by the anticipation of the positive showcase at the awards.
After answering a few more questions, Diane thanked the press and stepped back inside the building, where Marcus was waiting just beyond the glass doors. He watched with a hint of admiration as she handled the press with her usual poise.
Marcus chuckled as she approached, shaking his head slightly. "You didn't have to go all out on them." he commented, a playful glint in his eye.
Diane met his gaze with a confident, mischievous smile, her stride unwavering. "The Bad Guys? They're barely a blip on our radar," she quipped, her tone light yet assertive. "We need to show that we're steps ahead, focusing on the positive, moving forward."
Their eyes locked in a moment of mutual understanding and playful challenge. Walking together toward the elevator, the tension of the press conference melted away, replaced by the secret connection they shared.
The elevator doors slid open, Diane stepped in close to Marcus, her voice lowering to a teasing whisper. "Now, about our escape to downtown this evening—ready to help me pick something that'll truly distract you tomorrow night?"
Marcus's response was a soft laugh, his anticipation for the evening palpable. "I wouldn't miss it." he assured her, his voice warm.
They stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind them as they descended to the parking lot where the Type R awaited, ready to whisk them away to their evening adventure.
As the sun set over the city, casting a cool shade ideal for a discreet evening out, Diane and Marcus slipped into their incognito attire. Donning casual clothes, matching caps, and masks, they adopted the guise of celebrities eluding the paparazzi—a playful yet essential disguise for two such public figures.
The Type R, now the official vehicular symbol of their hidden romance, navigated smoothly through the downtown streets to their destination: a boutique owned by Diane's friend, Katie Hopwell. Katie, a chic and bubbly bunny from Diane's pre-political life, had kindly agreed to close her store for them, turning it into a private sanctuary amidst the city's hustle.
Once inside, with the blinds drawn and the door securely shut behind them, Diane and Marcus removed their caps and masks. Freed from their public facades, their expressions relaxed into genuine, unguarded smiles.
The boutique, now their secluded domain, was filled with the soft hum of background music and the faint scent of designer perfumes. Diane tugged Marcus by the hand into the heart of the shop, her eyes alight with excitement. "Let's find something breathtakingly distracting for tomorrow." she murmured playfully, her fingers grazing the luxurious fabrics that lined the racks.
Marcus chuckled, his eyes lingering appreciatively not just on the clothes, but on Diane herself. "If you choose something too stunning, I might forget I'm supposed to be guarding the governor and get completely lost in her beauty." he responded, his voice rich with affection and a hint of mischief.
Holding up an elegantly daring red dress, Diane teased, "Just imagine the headlines, Marcus... 'Governor steals the show—and her bodyguard's heart.' Wouldn't that be something?"
As Diane continued exploring the racks of luxurious gowns, she picked up a shimmering silver dress, its fabric flowing like liquid metal between her fingers. Marcus, who had been by her side watching with appreciation, caught sight of the new selection and his eyes lit up. "Now, that silver dress might just set off every camera flash in the room." he commented, his tone mixing admiration with a hint of playful challenge. "It's stunning, but I doubt it could outshine you."
Diane flashed a mischievous smile, her eyes twinkling with flirtatious intent. "Well, maybe tomorrow night I want to be outshined. It might give you a chance to do some real guarding, instead of just falling for my distractions," she replied, her voice low and teasing.
With a chuckle at her reply, Marcus excused himself to explore another aisle for more gown options. His departure coincided perfectly with Katie's approach, her eyes alight with curiosity and mischief. Sidling up to Diane, she leaned in with a sly grin and whispered, "So, who's the hottie, Di? He's quite a catch, far more striking than your usual crew."
Diane, feeling a blush warm her cheeks, replied with a hint of mischief in her voice, "That would be my boyfriend, believe it or not."
Katie's eyes widened, a mix of shock and delight animating her expression. "Your boyfriend? Oh, Di, I never thought I'd see Ms. Perfect mixing duty with pleasure!"
Diane leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a velvety murmur tinged with mischief, "He's more than just a member of my security team—he's my personal bodyguard. Full attention, around the clock." she teased, winking. "Officially, we shouldn't even be thinking about dating, but sometimes, the heart writes its own rules."
Katie squealed softly, her eyes wide with delight. "You naughty vixen, snagging such a handsome man from the ranks? Absolutely scandalous—I love it!"
Diane let out a low, conspiratorial chuckle and placed a finger to her lips. "Shh, keep it on the down-low, Kate. We're keeping it hush-hush for now," she whispered, her eyes sparkling playfully as she scanned the room to ensure their privacy.
Katie leaned in closer, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Diane, you always had a thing for the rebels, but falling for your bodyguard? What's his secret? Does the uniform come with superpowers?"
Diane grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she whispered back, a playful edge to her voice. "Oh, Katie, it's not just the uniform—it's the man inside it. There's something about a man who can handle danger... and me. He's strict, yet so irresistibly charming."
Katie chuckled, her tone teasing. "From bad boys to your very own hero in uniform, huh? I never thought I'd see the day!"
Diane's laugh was soft and seductive. "Trust me, there's nothing quite like the thrill of being guarded so... closely. He's got this intense, protective vibe that just... overwhelms. And when he's all business in that suit? It's seriously sexy—he commands attention, and let's just say he commands... other things just as well."
Katie giggled, shaking her head. "Diane, you've really outdone yourself this time. From chasing thrillers to living one—looks like you've found your perfect match!"
Diane leaned in closer, lowering her voice for just Katie to hear. "And between us? The way he takes control? Makes me want to break all the rules."
The girl talk was momentarily shelved as Marcus's voice echoed from a nearby aisle, gently pulling Diane away. With a chuckle and a knowing look shared with Katie, Diane gracefully made her way towards him. Marcus was showcasing a strapless, sweetheart-styled, magenta-pink ruched dress, its fabric gleaming like satin or silk under the boutique lights. Diane's eyes sparkled with delight at the sight.
Katie bounced up behind them, her excitement palpable. "That gem is from my latest collection." she beamed, watching Diane's reaction. "Made entirely from eco-friendly silk—perfect for our climate advocate here."
Admiring the gown, Diane touched the luxurious fabric, her smile widening. "Katie, it's stunning. You've outdone yourself," she said as she took the dress from Marcus to try it on.
With Diane heading to the fitting room, Marcus found himself under Katie's playful scrutiny. Leaning in, her voice laced with curiosity and mischief, Katie teased, "So, Marcus, Diane hinted that you're quite the maestro of taking charge. That must add a whole new layer to 'protect and serve,' huh?"
Caught slightly off guard but grinning, Marcus replied smoothly, "It's about finding the right balance. But yes, ensuring Diane's safety comes with its unique perks—on and off duty."
Katie's laughter was light, her eyes twinkling with intrigue. "Sounds like a thrilling partnership to me. Protective and personal—quite the unbeatable combo."
Marcus nodded, his look thoughtful as he glanced towards the dressing room. "It's more than just duty; it's deeply rewarding." he confessed, his voice softening with sincerity. Just then, Diane emerged, transforming the moment. She was radiant in the magenta-pink ruched dress, which clung to her figure like it was made just for her.
Katie squealed, her delight unmistakable. "Oh, Diane! It's absolutely perfect on you!" she exclaimed, bustling around Diane to adjust a strap here, smooth the fabric there, ensuring everything sat flawlessly.
Marcus was momentarily speechless, his eyes taking in Diane's appearance. The dress emphasized her curves and highlighted her poised elegance, making it impossible for him to look away.
Diane noticed his awestruck expression and, with a playful smile, stepped closer to give him a quick, teasing kiss on the lips. "What do you think, Mr. Bodyguard? Too distracting?" she whispered, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Katie chuckled and handed Diane a pair of matching strapped high heels. "These will complete the ensemble. Try these on!"
Slipping into the heels, Diane moved to the mirror, her movements graceful and assured. As she saw her reflection, her smile widened. "It's perfect. This is it," she announced, her tone satisfied and excited.
After finalizing the purchase, Diane turned to Katie with genuine warmth. "Katie, thank you. I can't wait to show this off at the awards. See you there, alright?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Katie responded, her voice cheerful. "You're going to be the star of the evening, Di!"
With final hugs exchanged, Diane and Marcus stepped back into the Type R. As Marcus started the engine, Diane glanced back at the boutique, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "What a night, huh?"
Marcus reached over to take her hand, squeezing it gently. "The best is yet to come." he promised, as they drove away into the evening, leaving the city lights twinkling behind them.