AN: I'm glad you are all liking it so far! :) I aim to please!

W/o further adieu, here's the second chapter!

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Chapter 2: The Lair

Megamind and Minion had arrived back at the Lair. The "evil" in front of Lair had been eliminated since Megamind wasn't a bad guy anymore. The word "secret" wasn't exactly an accurate description for it either since everyone in Metrocity knew where he lived now. So, for the moment, it was simply known as the Lair.

Inside, Megamind was rushing around, cleaning up the usual chemical messes, dusting his equipment, straightening the papers strewn about his work space, etc. etc. Minion would've made a comment on how adorable the man was being if he wasn't already hard a work polishing the Brainbots.

"Okay, that's all clean… where that dusting rag? Ah! Here we go… GOT YOU, you nasty little dust bunny… oh, this will never do! I need to see my face in these monitors…" He had hopped onto one of his circular hover boards and quickly sprayed some glass cleaner onto the multiple screens to wipe them down with an old used cloth. "There! Good as new!" He said proudly, even though his bulbous head was the only thing visible in the monitor's reflection in front of him.

"Sir, every Brainbot has been scrubbed and waxed to their fullest potential shine." Minion sent the last Brainbot off to join the others that were all showing off their new appearance to each other.

"Did you get behind their sensors?"

"Yes, sir. There is not a speck of rust left, I guarantee it." Minion was very confident in his cleanliness capabilities. It was he, after all, who kept Megamind's lab organized and free of clutter.

"Excellent!" Megamind rubbed his gloved hands together and looked around, making sure there wasn't anything that looked out of place. For a brief moment he thought how funny it was that he'd go to such lengths for a girl who he used to kidnap and often use as a bargaining chip. He never so much as cleaned the bag used to shield her vision while on their way to his hideout. How things had changed! He would do whatever it took to impress Roxanne, especially since he had his new reputation as a hero to uphold.

"Ms. Richie should be here soon. Would you like me to leave you two alone during your visit together?" Minion suggested.

"No, no. I'm too nervous to meet with her alone. Minion, I need you to stand idly aside in case my mind goes blank or I can't think of anything to say. Understood?"

"Yes, sir! Whenever you need me, just signal and I'll lend a helping fin if possible."

"Signal?"

"You know, like when we code each other during our missions? Except with signaling, we would use subtle hand gestures."

"Ah, I see! Yes, brilliant idea, Minion." Megamind nodded. He constantly reassured himself that nothing would go wrong. All she said was that she was coming over for a short visit, nothing more. It's not like this was a date or anything… or was it? Was he ill prepared? Perhaps Minion had relayed the message incorrectly, and here he was without proper attire and no dinner ready? What if…

"Hello?"

That angelic voice Megamind knew all too well came from the monitors behind them. He saw Roxanne, as stunning as always with her large blue eyes (a feature Megamind particularly liked about her, go figure) and cute pixie hair. She was standing outside the brick wall of his Lair, waiting for a response of some kind. He decided not to keep her waiting, but didn't want to seem like he had been anticipating her arrival the whole time. So he played dumb for a bit.

"Oh, uhh, yes? Who is this?"

"Umm, Roxanne Richie, reporter for the Metrocity Daily News? I did say I was coming over, right?" Her eyebrow went up in mild amusement. It didn't take a genius to know that Megamind was just acting silly, like always.

"Ah yes, that name does ring a bell. Why don't you come on in? I believe I was notified of your appointment with me." Megamind pressed a button on the main control panel that allowed the brick wall outside to become a holograph. Roxanne was ready for this and immediately walked in after making sure the wall was passable. A few meters down the hallway and Roxanne came face to face with all of the Brainbots, sparkling like the day they were created. She thought it rather strange, but moved on, eventually making her way to the central portion of the Lair where Megamind and Minion were patiently waiting. Megamind gulped and made sure his hands weren't sweating, only realizing that he had gloves on. Duh.

Roxanne took off her coat while asking, "You take appointments now?" Minion automatically helped her out of the jacket and left to put it aside. Megamind inwardly cursed for not thinking of something like that himself.

"Minion has started up an appointment system for me. Apparently, I'm the most wanted man in the city right now. No big deal." He said nonchalantly and shrugged, as if something like that didn't matter to him.

"I'm sure." Roxanne held back a laugh. Megamind's ego was almost as big as his head today, but this served for good entertainment. She leaned in and gave him a surprise kiss on the cheek, which effectively knocked him out of his self-glorifying state. Oddly enough, instead of making him more jittery than he thought he'd be, Megamind gained a inch of confidence in his movements.

"So, is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well, yes. I-"

"Oh! But, first, would you care for something to drink? We have a variety of choices." Megamind opened his mini fridge near the monitors and took out two packs of different sodas, both his and Minion's favorite.

"Uh, no thanks." Roxanne politely declined.

"Well alright, how about some snacks? I discovered these amazing things called oh-reyos; two little chocolate cookies with white icing in the middle. It's delicious!"

"Really, I'm fine, Megamind." She put her hand up to refuse him once more.

The man had already stuffed one into his mouth and now had a few crumbs falling from his lips. He was frozen, not sure what to do or to offer next. He looked up How To Be a Good Host for Dummies online and read that you could never offer enough food and beverages to make your guest feel comfortable. But what did you do if they didn't want anything?

"I just came here to… make a proposition." Roxanne closed some distance between her and Megamind. She seemed uncertain about something, but he wouldn't know what until she stated her proposition. "You're a hero now. Everyone wants to get to know you, be like you, sign your head… You're a pretty important person within Metrocity, you know."

So far, she was stating the obvious. This was good. At least Megamind could follow along.

"I know these things, yes. But you have something else to tell me?" He raised an eyebrow in genuine curiosity.

"Well, now that you don't have to be shrouded in darkness anymore, or hidden in the shadows of a secret lair, I was thinking that maybe it's time…"

"Yes?" Megamind got closer. Was she about to suggest that they take their relationship to the next level? He was quite famous, after all, so perhaps she wanted to make sure that no other women could snatch him away, by being more open with their feelings in public? This was a side of Roxanne that would forever be reordered into Megamind's-

"I was thinking maybe it's time… that you moved out of the Lair."

…

"Huh?" Megamind answered in a tone most bewildered. Minion, too, was a bit dumbfounded.

"I mean, think about it!" She went on, not waiting for their train of thought to catch up. "You're not a villain anymore, so why have a lair in the first place, right? You should be more out in the open so that the people of Metrocity can see you and get used to your presence. Metroman was on 24/7 patrol during his time, and I think you could do just as good a job, maybe even better!"

"Err-guhh?"

"And hey, if you want, you can build an entirely new lair, but more… superhero-ish, ya know? How about inside the Metro City Hall dome? It's the same size as this fake observatory dome, right?" She pointed up at the ceiling. "That'd be perfect! I'll call the mayor and make some arrangements. I'm sure they'll be able to squeeze you in up there." Roxanne pulled out her cell phone and started dialing.

"W-wait! Wait, wait, wait." Megamind halted her action, his eyes wide and darty. Everything was happening too fast. It took a moment for the man to process all of this information before he looked at Minion and remembered what they talked about before. Megamind held up his hands and made random signs, some of which were unidentifiable to his fish-headed friend. "CODE: I-don't-know-how-to-respond-to-this."

Minion face palmed. He never did mention that the whole point of signaling was to NOT saying anything and let your hands do all the work.

"Wwwhat's wrong?" Roxanne asked, puzzled by the man's weird gestures.

Megamind quickly ceased in his ridiculous actions. "Nothing! Umm…" He put a hand behind his head sheepishly. "… it's just that, well… I'm not really all for that idea."

"Why not?"

"Heh. You see, Roxanne…" His voice took on a seriousness that the reporter hadn't heard in a long time. "… this lab, this lair has been my home for many a year here on Earth. I've made all of my greatest inventions here, and it's the place where I'd come up with my next evil scheme to take over Metrocity. And, to be honest, I don't think I could bare parting with it." He said all this while placing his hand on one of the walls fondly.

Roxanne wasn't sure what to say. She didn't realize how much sentimental value this place had. That didn't mean she'd back down just yet, though. "But you're a changed man now, Megamind. You said so yourself, isn't it time for a fresh start?"

"Well, when I said 'fresh', I meant my clothes, but I guess it could apply to this too."

"And, when it all comes down to it, isn't home where the people you love are?" This was a very true ideal. A home was not permanent, but the relationships you have with people were forever, or at least he'd like to think so. Just like he and Roxanne have had a lasting relationship throughout their adult lives… He wanted it to last for as long as time would allow it. Whenever he felt alone in the world, Roxanne would be there to shelter him, and vice verse.

"You're right."

Roxanne smiled. She knew he'd come around sooner or lat-

"Home is with the people you love." He turned around, clenching his fist. "And… therefore, my home shall be wherever you are!"

The reporter blushed slightly. "Oh! Well, I guess you could look at it that wa-"

"So, how about I stay with you?" He asked excitedly.

This time, it was her turn to stare at him in astonishment.

"Us?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Live together?"

"Yeah!"

"Me and you?"

"That is the general idea, yes!" He wondered why she was reiterating herself so much.

Minion's face went pale. He never expected for things to take a turn in this direction.

"Wait, do you- do you even know what you're saying?" Roxanne took an apprehensive step back. This suggestion was almost too much for her to take in.

"Of course I do, silly! Like you said, home is where your loved ones are, so why not weave this concept into our own tapestry of life?"

"Okay, first off, my tapestry of life has had all kinds of crazy insane stuff throw in, and I don't think I need to weave anymore into it."

"But that's what makes everything so interesting! The different threads, the texture; it's all part of what makes your creation unique."

"Well maybe I just prefer the plain, simple tapestries that don't require an experienced hand or various techniques."

"You don't have to be experienced to fulfill the dreams of what you want for your tapestry!"

"But what if my tapestry tears or has a few rough holes in them?"

"Those things can be easily repaired with the sewing machine of love and tenderness!"

"OKAY, THIS CONVERSATION IS STARTING TO SOUND VERY FAMILIAR." Minion cut in loudly. This got the two aspiring poets to shut up for the time being. "Now, why don't we just take a deep breath and see what kind of arrangement we can work out here. Sir, you're insinuating that you'd like to live with Ms. Richie, correct?"

"Yes." He said with his arms crossed and lips in a small pout.

"Alright. And Ms. Richie, you are clearly against this, am I assuming right?"

"It's not that I'm against the idea, it's just that… well, this is all too sudden, ya know?" She shifted uncomfortably.

Megamind threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "I don't see what the harm is!"

"Stop!" Minion made sure this argument wouldn't progress any further. "Relax. I believe I have a solution for both of you." Megamind and Roxanne looked at him conspicuously. "How about Megamind lives with Ms. Richie-"

"I knew it! Of course you'd take his side!" Roxanne shouted.

"I knew I could count on you Minion!" Megamind cheered and patted his friend on the shoulder.

"I wasn't finished yet!" The fish head yelled. He swore, it was like talking to 5 year olds! "I was going to say, how about Megamind lives with Ms. Richie until we find a new lair to live in?"

"What?"

"Ehh?"

The two said at the same time, giving him befuddled expressions (both for different reasons.)

"Sir, what Ms. Richie said about our lair… is partially true. If we want people to see us in a new light from now on, we have to improve our image by focusing on the details especially, where we live being one of them."

"And what's wrong with where we live?" Megamind asked defiantly.

"Well, uhhh…" He did a sweeping glance over the interior of their lab, noting how dark and gloomy everything was, which was not appropriate for a hero's home. Roxanne also noticed it, but this fact flew right over Megamind's big blue head, apparently. "It just isn't suitable for us anymore, as good guys."

"Hmph!" Megamind didn't want to admit it, but Minion and Roxanne did bring up a point. The Lair was a bit… mel-on-cholly.

"While I'm fine with Megamind getting a new place, I fail to see why he has to stay with me during this move." Roxanne's hands went on her hips.

"Isn't it only natural? You guys are dating, right?"

"Uh, hello? That's exactly why we shouldn't be living together!" Megamind and Minion both tilted their heads, obviously confused as to why this was a conflict. "Seriously? No one here besides me sees why this isn't a good idea?"

Megamind turned to his equally puzzled companion and asked, "Is this one of those situations where women like to 'go steady', Minion?"

"I'm not sure, sir. It seems that way…"

"UGH!" Roxanne had enough. There was no way she was explaining herself to these two dimwits. "I give up! You win! Do what you want! I'm going home already." She whirled around and headed for the exit. She was careful to avoid the "Exit" that had a disco playroom for Megamind's pet alligators.

"Er, wait! Roxanne!" She stopped, but not for the reason Megamind wanted her to. Instead, she turned to face him with that irritated glare of hers that she often gave him.

"You know, Megamind, something may seem like all butterflies and rainbows for you, but not everyone thinks that same way you do." She pivoted back around and made her way down the hall until she was through the holographic brick wall.

Megamind stood there, wondering what he did that had upset the woman to that extent. In essence, this was their first real fight since they became an "item" as some called it, and, when it came to the topic of dating, the blue genius didn't feel like much of a genius anymore.

He sighed. "Minion. Am I doomed to be the bad guy forever?"

"I don't follow, sir?" The fish head tentatively came forward.

"I try and try to please everybody, to show that I'm no longer the evil overlord I once was, but it just doesn't seem to be working. Now Roxanne is angry, and I feel like a jerk for not understanding why."

This was the time where Minion would give his all-knowing advice, something that Megamind needed every once in a while, no matter how big his own brain was. "Sir, I think what Ms. Richie was attempting to say was that you don't take into consideration other people's feelings."

"Consideration?" Megamind knew what this word meant, but he never thought that he'd be labeled as inconsiderate.

"Yes, sir. You kept pushing your ideas and your plans onto her, but never stopped to see how she felt about it."

"But she did the same thing earlier, with her talk of moving and building a new layer at City Hall and whatnot! It's not like I was the only one forcing their ideas on others…" He said, slowly losing his gusto with each word. "But… I guess she was more right than I." Megamind never blatantly admitted that he was wrong unless there existed a situation in which everything that went downhill was entirely his fault. "Don't get me wrong. I love this old place, truly I do." He started getting misty eyed. "But, I suppose some sacrifices must be made. It's for the good of Metropolis that I become the hero that they want." His voice wavered as he spoke. And he called Minion the drama queen.

"Well, sir? What's your decision? Shall we take the first step away from our past?"

Megamind didn't answer right away. Minion thought he was genuinely crying until the blue man turned to face him, sporting a determined half-smile. "Yes. Yes, I believe we shall!"

"And, Ms. Richie…?"

"I'll be sure to confront her about this issue, and I'll be more considerate this time." He nodded in satisfaction. She did say for them to do whatever they wanted.

"That's the spirit, sir!"

Megamind was quite pleased with himself. "Yes, well what kind of hero would I be if not to right the wrong?" He laughed, sounding almost maniacal.

"We might have to work on your new laugh too, sir…"

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AN: LOL MEGAMIND MOVIE REFERENCES OUT THE WAZOO! Sorry if that bugs 'y'all. I just can't help myself. :)

Thanks for reading!