I Heart Geeks (2 page)

Julie pushed the button for their floor. “And you gave me specific instructions about always staying in character, right?”

“Yes, I did, but I honestly didn’t expect such great progress on the first day.”

They exited the elevator and walked down the hall to their room. Kit pretended to wipe a tear from her eye. “My little introvert is growing up. Flirting with strangers. I’m so proud of you. Now, tell me everything.”

Julie shrugged and unlocked their room with the key card. “We exchanged quips, and he bought me a milk.”

“Wait. He did what?”

“Bought me a milk… you know, because Catwoman drinks milk?”

Kit’s eyes were wide. “But you’re lactose intolerant.”

“That’s why I need my pills. Before I’m comatose with a migraine.” Julie hurried into the room and dug through her bag.
Where were they? This bag? No wait, that one
. She took two pills with water, sighing in relief. “Hopefully that should hold off the effects.”

“If it doesn’t, I don’t want to hear you cat-erwauling.” Kit snickered.

Julie rolled her eyes. “That was awful.”

“Perhaps, but you’re the one who insisted on using cheesy dialog this weekend.”

“Fine.”

“What did he have?” Kit asked, curious.

Julie smiled. “Milk.”

A startled expression crossed her friend’s face before she collapsed back on the bed giggling.

“What’s so funny?”

“The fact that you both had milk.”

“Why? We both stayed in character, for the most part.” Julie fixed her mask and put a few pills in a small pocket on the inside of her belt. Just in case. “What next, oh great knower of the schedule?”

“The panel we’re going to starts in a few minutes. Come on, Catwoman, get those paws in gear and let’s go.” Kit grabbed her bag, and they headed out to the elevator.

“No reward is worth this,” Julie mumbled to herself… oh wait, wrong fandom.

The thought of running into Batman again made her itty-bitty-kitty heart pitter-patter with anticipation.

In the elevator, Julie moved to the back while Kit pulled out the Con map. The elevator slid to a stop, and Julie checked the floor. Had they reached the lobby?

Much to her delight, who entered the car looking a little green around the cowl? Her arch nemesis. The one who made all her kitty parts tingle.

Kit grinned. “Well, if it isn’t the Caped Crusader. What’s wrong?”

“Lactose intolerant.”

Kit burst into laughter, and bumped shoulders with Julie. Batman looked around and saw her. A red flush filled out the skin around his cowl. “Uh… I…”

Julie walked forward and put her hand on his upper arm and squeezed. “Don’t worry Batman, I am too.”

Which meant Kit wouldn’t stop laughing anytime soon.

“Is your friend okay?” he asked.

“She’ll be alright.” Julie turned to glare at her. “Once I put her in an elaborate, slow moving torture device.”

Batman grinned. “Ah, ah, ah, you’ve gone straight remember?”

Julie stuck out her lower lip. “You sure know how to take the fun out of a puurrfectly good day, Batman.”

He raised her hand and kissed the back of her glove. “I shall have to ensure you’re entertained enough not to fall back into plotting dastardly deeds.”

Kit cleared her throat. “While I’m sure that’s a lovely sentiment, we’re going to head to a couple of the panels which should keep Julie… uh, I mean Catwoman out of trouble.”

“Which ones are you planning to attend, Miss Arden?”

Kit read off her master list. “Classic television heroes and villains.”

“What a coincidence, I’m heading to that one as well.”

He placed Julie’s hand on his arm. “I do believe this is kismet. Allow me to escort you lovely ladies.”

Julie grinned. “Why thank you, Batman. I feel safer already.”

Kit leaned over and whispered in a loud tone. “More cheesy dialog?”

Julie reached out and patted her friend on the shoulder. “Of courrrrse, Kitten, it’s in the script.”

Kit groaned and put her hands over her face shaking her head. Beside her, Batman, chuckled.

“Besides, Batman will make sure none of the villains get their underhanded paws on us.” She stroked the back of her clawed gloves, over his arm, and in her sauciest voice, said, “Won’t you, Batman?”

“You may rest assured I’ll protect you from any and all nefarious villains.”

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into the lobby teeming with costumed people.

“Are you okay?” Julie whispered to Batman.

“I took a couple of pills. I’ll be fine.” He patted her hand.

They entered the room where the panel was held and found seats near the back. Kit sat on one side of Julie and Batman on the other, in the aisle seat. The panel began, and Julie found her attention wandering to the captivating man sitting next to her. Who was he beneath the cowl? Did he feel the same zing of attraction? The same flush of arousal?

She put her hand on the arm-rest palm up, inviting without being overt. Would he take the hint, or was she being too forward? She tried to focus on the stage and the people talking. The monotone delivery of the speaker had her attention wandering. She tried to focus on the discussion, but her concentration shattered when Batman put his hand over hers and squeezed.

At the feeling of his gloved hand in hers, butterflies began performing ballet in her stomach. She squeezed his hand back and saw him wink at her. Julie couldn’t help but grin. What she wouldn’t give to be alone with him. Perhaps at the back of a movie theater?

The panel ended, and Julie hadn’t heard a word. Kit would have fun teasing her, after all, this was the one panel Julie had insisted on attending.

Batman stood, using her hand to pull her to her feet. “Shall we?”

Julie smiled. “Of course.”

He led the way as they maneuvered through the masses exiting the auditorium.

Bodies pressed against her, pushing and shoving. Heat and cold flushed through her in rapid succession as her breathing stuttered. It was getting harder to breathe. Was there enough air in here? Her mind knew there was plenty, but the panic beast within her insisted she draw deeper and deeper breaths.

Her vision narrowed to the blue cape in front of her. She focused on that and the feel of his gloved hand in hers. Her grip tightened. He was her lifeline.

Batman glanced back at her and something must have shown in her face. He yanked her through the crowed.

And then there was air. Cool wind against her face. Julie lifted her face and let the cold air soothe her.
Thank God for the unseasonable storm rolling through
.

“Are you okay?”

Julie looked at Batman, aware they were still holding hands.

Heat filled her cheeks. “Sorry about that. I’m not good in crowds.”

“Better now?”

She nodded. “Can we stay out here for a few minutes?”

“Sure. Whatever you need to do.”

“Thanks.”

He led her over to a cement bench and they sat.

“How long have you been crowd-a-phobic?”

“I’ve always been uneasy, but it’s gotten worse in the past couple of years. I avoid crowds at all costs.”

“You’ve become overly sensitized.”

“That’s what Kit says. This weekend is supposed to help get me over that.”

He squeezed her hand. “Anything I can do to help?”

Julie took another deep breath. “Pulling me outside helped a lot.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Her phone buzzed and she checked the text. “Shit, we forgot Kit.”

Where R U?

Julie texted back.
Outside. 2 many ppl panicked.

r u ok?

Yes.

Need me?

No, Batman here.

have panl in 5, txt if u need me.

k have fun ttyl

“Is she coming?” Batman asked.

Julie shook her head as she put her phone away. “No she’s moderating a panel in a few minutes.”

“Well Catwoman, what shall we do?”

“Do?”

“Yes, I seem to recall we’re supposed to spend the rest of the afternoon together.”

Julie bit her lip, she’d have to face the con sooner or later. She took another deep breath and stood. “Why don’t you show me around the rest of the con?”

“That would be my pleasure.” He squeezed her hand and stood, leading the way back into the hotel.

“Unless you have criminals to apprehend, of course.”

“It would be criminal to leave such a beautiful woman to fend for herself among fiends, villains,” he looked back at her, “and crowds.

“Thank you.”

They flashed their badges and entered the lobby. She saw him glare at a group of Storm Troopers that stopped to check her out.

He led her through the vendor floor and stopped when she wanted to shop or look at something closer. All around the Con, they were stopped and asked for pictures. When the last group of young kids left, Julie let out a sigh. “Is it always like that?”

Batman nodded. “Yes, especially for those who stay in character.”

“It’s exhausting.”

“Yes it is, and having done this many times before, I can say that while it does get a little easier, it’s still draining.”

“Good to know.”

Batman glanced down at his watch. “I’m not sure about you, but I’m getting hungry. Would you like to join me in the bar for dinner?”

Julie cocked her head to the side. “How is this going to work?”

“We’ll go up and change into street clothes, then meet in the bar, grab a bite to eat and watch the pros.”

“Pros?”

“The professional cosplayers. They make some of the most elaborate costumes. It’s an amazing parade not to be missed.”

“Sounds like fun. Shall we meet back in about twenty minutes?”

Batman grinned, grabbed her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “I look forward to it.”

He led her into the elevator where they were joined by other cosplayers going to their rooms.

Batman got off on his floor and blew her a kiss.

Julie hugged herself, unable to help the grin that spread over her face. Getting off on her floor, she raced to the room, well, as fast as she could in the killer heels she was wearing. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, her feet screamed at her. How the hell had she not felt that before? She’d been having such a good time that the pain never registered.

Limping into the room she sat on the bed, pulled her feet out of the boots, and wiggled her toes.

Ahhh, that felt good.
Walking across the floor barefoot felt even better. But she only had fifteen minutes to get downstairs. Time to get out of this cat outfit and into street clothes. Dressed in jeans, a long-sleeved t-shirt and sneakers, she brushed out her hair and put on lip gloss. Grabbing her purse she made it out the door with a few minutes to spare.

How would she know what he looked like? After all, he’d been wearing a cowl. Would he recognize her? She’d been wearing the eye mask that left the rest of her face exposed. Would that be enough for him to recognize her?

Julie got off the elevator and looked around, all of her instincts shouted at her to go back upstairs and order room service. She didn’t see anyone familiar in the lobby, so finding an unoccupied chair; she sat down facing the elevators.

For the next few minutes, people got off the elevators, some in costume and some in street clothes. Were they supposed to have met in the bar? Or here… Julie racked her brain to try to remember the details of their last conversation.

“Hello, lovely.” A voice behind her caused her to turn. She stood up, hating being loomed over. Julie turned to see a nice looking man dressed in comfortable jeans and a t-shirt with the Batman logo. His gray eyes and dimpled grin looked familiar.

“Batman?”

He held out his hand and she shook it. Yes, it was the same zinging sensation from before.

“I’m Adam Burton.”

“Julie Ward,” she responded.

“That’s a lovely name. Shall we?”

He held out his arm and she put her hand on it. Adam led her into the bar. Thankfully it wasn’t crowded, but she had a feeling it would be in an hour or so. He led the way to a tall table near the front glass. “This should provide the best viewing.”

He held the chair for her, and she slid onto the stool with ease. “Okay.” They were of similar height, he was perhaps an inch or so taller than her 5’7”. Adam took the seat next to her.

The waitress came over and they ordered drinks and appetizers and Julie made sure to stay away from all the cheesy snacks she loved. She’d tempted fate once today and thankfully didn’t have any adverse reactions to the milk incident, but she didn’t want to tempt a migraine.

“So Julie, tell me about yourself.”

“I’m a tech writer at a small startup and this is my first time at a con.”

“Where do you live?”

“In San Jose.” She didn’t want to get too specific, in case he was a crazed stalker. Having dealt with a stalker before, she was careful to give general knowledge rather than specific information.

“What about you?” She leaned forward, elbow on the table, chin resting on her palm. “What do you do? Who’s the man behind the cowl?”

Adam took a sip of his water as well. “I’m a software engineer and also live in San Jose.”

A ubiquitous job in Silicon Valley.

“How long have you been going to cons?”

The waitress came by with the chicken wings and calamari and they both dug in.

“I guess since I was a teen though it’s only recently that I began to cosplay. Why did you choose 1960’s Catwoman? Julie Newmar, right?”

“Right. I love cheesy, campy kitsch. It’s something that many shows today are lacking. According to Kit, not many people play the older characters.”

“True.”

“Also because it’s one of the only fandoms that I’m familiar with.” She held up her hand forestalling his comment. “And before you try to introduce me to—” Julie ticked off her fingers. “—
Homestuck
,
Teen Wolf
,
Game of Thrones, X-men
,
Lord of the Rings
, or
Doctor Who,
Kit’s already tried. None of them interest me. So I went with what I liked, and that was campy classic
Batman
. What about you?”