An alternative ending to the Science Fair Affair episode.

Jimmy needed some time alone. He'd staked out a spot in the very last booth of the Candy Bar, hidden away from everyone and everything.

It had not been a good few days. First, Cindy had gotten him ousted from his favorite event of the year on the grounds that it was detrimental to the rest of the grade to compete with him year after year.

Then, he'd shown up at the science fair anyways, because it was unthinkable to stay away. So what if he didn't win his umpteenth trophy or get to lord it over Dorktex yet again that he was a genius and she wasn't?

Besides, despite their mutual animosity towards each other, he'd still offered to fix her invention for her before the judges did their final round. She'd accepted his help grudgingly and then callously pushed him aside the minute Principal Willoughby was in sight.

She'd won, but it didn't last long. His father had sent his plans for an alternative energy machine to the Nobel committee somehow, and one of their representatives had come to Retroville to see it in action before it turned into a raging death machine thanks to that imbecile, Bolbi.

Cindy had been furious that she still somehow hadn't garnered a win after everything, and had stuffed a giant sweater on his head before telling him he was a real pain and he should just move to another city and leave them all alone.

His Nobel, just within sight, had been ripped away too.

And so, Jimmy was left to ponder whether maybe it was time to hang up his lab coat once and for all and resolve to give up on his inventions. Every time he tried to create something, it endangered people and spun wildly out of control.

Other science geniuses he'd studied hadn't blown things up or wrought mortal peril as boys. Einstein had been a troublemaker in school but at least he hadn't nearly killed a member of the Nobel Prize delegation or spawned a new ice age, or heck, turned his teacher into a giant spinach plant.

He was feeling so low about the whole thing that it took him a whole minute to realize someone was standing in front of him. He looked up, his vision a bit blurry from some stray tears, and immediately felt mortified.

The universe had it out for him, clearly.

"Vortex?"

"Can we talk?" Her voice trembled. She was nervous, he could tell that much. It was unnerving, frankly.

He was hesitant to let her join him but didn't want to make a scene. He'd had enough of that to last a lifetime.

"Sure, I guess." He gestured to the seat across from him and she took it, graciously.

She twisted the ends of her long blonde hair around her fingertips and sighed.

"Listen, Neutron. I'm sorry."

He wondered if the I Can't Believe It's Not Oil! machine's loud motors had damaged his hearing.

"Uh, what?" He scrunched his eyebrows together, confused.

"I was needlessly harsh on—" She paused, studying him. "Were you—crying?"

"No." He shot back a little too defensively. "My allergies were acting up."

"Only Wheezer has allergies no matter the season." She snorted.

"Whatever, okay, fine, so what if I was a little upset?"

She looked earnestly into his big blue eyes, and reached a hand across the table. "I can't believe I'm saying this but...winning felt hollow without you around. And especially after you tried to help me though I got you banned."

He wordlessly laid his palm on top of her knuckles and felt a shiver of something unnameable.

"What happened to 'ban this brain and ease our pain?'"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I think I'll feel more accomplished when I finally beat you fair and square, Nerdtron."

"Well, I'm not participating next year either. So barring any absurd accidents, you should be successful."

"What? Why wouldn't you participate?"

"For one thing, I'm presumably still prohibited for the reasons you outlined. Well researched ones, by the way." He acknowledged.

"Jimmy, I went to Mrs. Fowl and tried to convince her to let you participate again next year. I gave her a new presentation. She gave in, but I'll admit it was probably more so because she was just tired after everything that happened."

He blushed a deep red. Not only had she called him by his first name, but she'd actually...fought for him to be able to do something he loved again.

"Cindy, that was...sweet of you." He squeezed her hand, feeling a sudden rush of fondness for his rival.

"Yeah, well don't get used to it." She withdrew her hand, even as she was unable to conceal a small smile.

"Even if I'm allowed to enter, there's a bigger issue."

"And what would that be?" Her green eyes bore into his intensely, and he wondered why he'd never noticed before just how captivating her gaze could be up close. And then he shook the thought away. This was Cindy, for the love of Heisenberg. He wasn't meant to observe such things about her.

"I think I should just stop inventing stuff. It's risky. I cause a lot of chaos."

"I'm not going to argue you on the latter point. You do cause chaos." She said.

"Very reassuring." He rolled his eyes.

"But that's no reason to stop nurturing your...talents."

"Did you just...call me talented?"

"Tell anyone I said that and the machine's mulch function will look like fun by comparison." She teased. They both knew she wasn't really serious.Probably.

"But Cindy—" He protested.

"No buts, Nerdtron. I'm not kidding. I have every reason to be annoyed by your inventions, but you can't lose heart so easily."

"I'll never win a Nobel after that stunt, though." He sounded dejected.

"That guy looked old. I'm sure he'll die and the person who replaces him on the committee will have no idea what happened. And you have time, Jimmy. We're just eleven."

He ignored the savage comment about Lars. Typical, blunt Vortex.

"You really think I have a chance again?"

She leaned across the table and nodded. "If anyone can do it, you can. So go put that big brain to use and stop moping."

He felt a wave of affection surge through him. He caught her off guard by enveloping her in a hug. Her alluring jasmine scent made him feel just the tiniest bit light-headed.

"Thanks, Cindy."

Maybe he imagined it but it seemed like she rather enjoyed it. She lingered for a little longer than was strictly necessary, and then awkwardly stepped away and did a little half wave before bowing out.

He watched her from the window, as she trailed after Libby on the street, color spotting her cheeks and an unmistakable spring in her step.

He propped his head up on his hand and gazed after her silhouette as it disappeared around the corner.

She was such a mystery. All girls were, really. But Cindy especially. She couldn't really hate him, right?