I Heart Geeks (5 page)

“Ah, a woman after my own black heart.” Loki grinned.

Thor winked at her. “Let me guess you’re going for the last item?”

Julie grinned. “Of course. Though Batman needs a pic with his favorite Avenger.”

Loki looked at her. “And what about
your
favorite Avenger?”

Julie laughed. “I’ve already gotten a picture of John Steed and Emma Peel.”

It took a few second for that to sink in before both Loki and Thor burst out laughing.

Once they recovered, Loki wiped a tear from his eye. “Thank you, my dear. You have an excellent wit. Now for your picture, villain or hero?”

“Why, villain of course!”

“You’re clearly a creature of refined taste.”

Thor sat down in front of them with his knees up and arms circling his knees. Loki looked around and went over to a photo booth with props. He came back grinning with a rope in one hand and a scarf in the other.

“These will work well.” He wrapped the rope around Thor’s wrists, stood and handed Julie the hammer. Loki put his arm around her shoulders. “Now strike a pose, love.”

Julie grinned, cocked her hip and leaned into Loki, holding Thor’s hammer aloft.

Batman gave her a thumbs up when the pic was taken. Robin fumed at his side.

They switched places and rearranged it so that Loki was on the ground this time while Thor and Batman struck heroic poses.

Adam spoke. “I’d like one with all of us.”

A volunteer was asked to take the pictures.

Thor positioned them this time. Robin was on his side on the floor, gagged with the scarf and bound hand and foot. Julie ‘battled’ Thor and Batman ‘battled’ Loki.

The first set of pictures showed Thor and Batman as the victors. The second set showed Loki and Catwoman winning.

Once the pictures were taken, Batman released Robin while Julie handed Thor his hammer. “Thank you.”

He grinned at her. “A more beautiful villainess I’ve never seen.”

Loki put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side. “Find your own villainess, brother, this one is mine.”

Thor raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps she’d like to try the good brother for a change?”

Batman stepped between Loki and Thor and pulled her from Loki’s side. “Sorry gentleman, but this villainess is mine!”

Robin frowned at her and stood on the other side of Batman.

Loki gave her a slow nod. “Perhaps some other time, Catwoman? When you’re not encumbered by the Dynamic Dolts?”

Julie grinned back. “That would be purrrfectly lovely, Loki.”

Loki leaned forward. “And I won’t make you kneel unless you really want to.” With a wink he stepped away.

Julie fanned herself with one hand. “Is it warm in here?”

“Come, Catwoman, you need a cold drink to clear your head.” Batman tugged her away from the growing group surrounding the Norse Gods.

“They’re awesome in character,” Julie remarked as they walked toward the cafe

Batman looked back. “Yeah. That was just…”

“Batman and Catwoman, wait!” Thor called.

They turned back to see Loki and Thor approaching. Loki presented a picture of him and Thor with a flourish. “For you my dear.”

“Thank you, Loki. I shall cherish this reminder of our purrrrfectly lovely time together.”

Thor handed a signed print to Batman. “For you, Caped Crusader.”

Adam stood straighter. “Thank you, Thor.”

The two gods turned back to the waiting fans.

“Wow,” Julie said.

“I completely agree.”

She uploaded the pics from her phone and glanced at the time. Shit, she had to go and help Kit get ready. “I need to head upstairs.”

Batman nodded. “Allow me to escort you to the elevator.”

Robin followed them, pouting. “I can’t believe you let them tie me up!”

Batman clapped his hand on Robin’s shoulder. “Relax Old Chum. No harm was done and everyone got the pictures we needed.”

“You realize that the pics showing the heroes losing will be broadcast far and wide?” Robin retorted.

“Perhaps it’s part of my plan to convince the villains that a life of crime never pays.”

Julie snorted but didn’t say anything as they walked toward the elevator.

They stopped and waited. She turned to Batman and his creepy sidekick. “Thank you for a lovely afternoon, Batman. I’ll see you tonight at the contest.”

“I’ll escort you up.” Batman insisted.

“No need, Batman. I’m sure the cat can get herself home.” Robin sneered.

“Thank you, Boy Blunder.” Julie turned to Batman. “I’m fine, it’ll be okay. I’ll meet you in the café at seven.”

“What about dinner?” Batman asked.

“Yes, Catwoman, have dinner with us.” Robin snarled.

“Thanks but no, I’ve got to help Kit, so we’ll probably order room service.”

The doors opened and she stepped inside. “What’s going on at seven?” Robin asked.

“We’re going to the Costume Contest.”

“And you didn’t get me a ticket?” Robin demanded.

The doors closed, and she missed Adam’s reply. Where the hell did she know Robin from? He’d been tossing verbal barbs at her all afternoon and it had taken everything in her not to respond.

She got to the room and found Kit pacing back and forth in front of the beds. She looked up as Julie entered the room. “Is everything okay?” Kit asked.

“Yes, why?”

“I just got a text.” Kit bit her lip. “Your stalker friend is here.”

Julie felt the blood drain from her face. “Fuck.”

“Such language. But, in this case, entirely appropriate.”

Julie got out of her boots, mask, ears and gloves.

“Do we know where he is?”

Kit shook her head and laid out her costumes on the bed. “No. Deb saw him leaving the registration desk. He was in street clothes.”

Crap. Westley Newman the Third, the jerk who’d made her life hell at the company they both worked for. He’d tried every trick in the book to get her to ‘put out’ has he’d so crudely put it. She’d filed a claim of harassment at work that had cost him his job. He’d vowed to get even with her and as a precaution she’d filed restraining order as well.

“If he finds out you’re here, he may come after you.”

Julie shrugged and wiggled out of her skintight catsuit. “He can try. I’ve got the police and a lawyer friend on speed dial, as well as my Taser and mace, in case he decides to—” she made air quotes “—show me the error of my ways.”

“I’ll let the others know to travel in pairs if possible.” Kit frowned. “Adam’s taking you to the contest, right?”

“Yes, so I should be fine.”

“Good, now let’s get me dressed.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon putting Kit into her elaborate costumes, making sure the top costume would come off at the right time, and not smear the underlying makeup.

At six forty-five, dressed in street clothes, Julie headed down. She met Adam and was relieved to see him by himself without his creepy sidekick.

“Hey Adam, where’s your friend?”

“Robin? He’s in a bit of a snit tonight because we didn’t get a ticket for him.”

Julie shuddered. “I hate to say it, but I’m glad. He gives me the creeps.”

Adam opened his mouth and Julie held up her hand. “It’s not your fault, but there’s something about him. Anyway, let’s get going, we don’t want to miss Kit’s performance.”

He bowed and grinned. “After you, fair lady.”

A tinge of heat rose in her cheeks. “Thank you, kind sir.”

The crowd in front of them was an unending sea of humanity. Julie stopped and took a deep breath. She could do this. Adam stopped with her, and took her hand. “You can do this.”

She gave him a smile. She could do this.

He led her to a roped off walkway for the VIP ticket holders. They received offers of money, sexual favors and other things she didn’t think were physically possible, in exchange for her coveted tickets. Safe inside the first set of double doors, they handed the tickets to the ticket taker.

“Fourth row. How did Kit manage that?” Adam asked.

Julie shrugged. “She knows people.”

And the contest began. There were some great and not so great costumes. From people dressed like video game characters, anime, classic television, and comic books. There were many characters that Julie didn’t know. Thank God for Adam. He whispered the information as they performed. The spectacle was entertaining and fun.

And then Kit and her group were on. Julie held onto Adam’s hand, heart beating in her throat as her best friend stepped on stage in a Dazzler costume. The lights glinted off the rhinestone suit. The neckline plunged deep and the collar framed her long blonde hair. Painted stars around the eyes were recognizable by a few in the audience.

On stage, the other X-Men fought a mock battle. It was discovered that Dazzler was an imposter. She was thrown into the large clear box that had been set up on stage. A switch was thrown and white mist filled the interior of the box, obscuring her from view.

“Please let this work, please let this work,” Julie muttered under her breath.

Adam squeezed her hand.

A flash of light, a loud bang, and Kit emerged from the chamber dressed in the blue makeup of Mystique. Gasps of amazement were heard throughout the auditorium.

Julie looked over at Adam to see his reaction. His mouth popped open. She reached over and shut it.

“Holy cow!”

Julie looked back to the stage where she saw Mystique defeat the X-Men. She blew a kiss to the audience and waved her fingers before strutting off stage.

Julie let out a relieved breath. It had worked! She joined the others as the jumped to their feet to give thunderous applause and whistles to Kit’s group.

The MC’s tried to bring order to the group and it took a few minutes to get everyone settled down again. Julie collapsed back into her seat. “That went well, don’t you think?”

“I’m amazed. Where did they come up with that idea and how the heck did Kit change so quickly?”

“Magic.”

Adam looked at her and frowned as if trying to figure out how she’d done it. He shook his head. “Impossible.”

Julie shook hers back. “Not really, just mostly improbable.”

The audience was finally settled down and judges began their deliberations.

The awards were given out and it came as no surprise to anyone that Kit and her group won Best In Show. They received their plaque and a voucher for the cash prize.

Julie breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad that’s over. It was stressing her out.”

“I can imagine. Are you ready to leave now or shall we wait for the masses to depart first?”

“I’d rather wait.”

“Good idea.”

It took twenty minutes for the hordes of humanity to dwindle down to a trickle.

Adam stood. “That was fun.”

Julie smiled up at him. “Yes, it was.”

They made their way up the aisle and into the lobby of the auditorium to wait for Kit. “She said she’d be waiting by the statue over there.” Julie took a couple of steps when Adam was hailed.

Wait. She knew that voice. In slow motion the world seemed to stop. The Bastard strutted over to them. And he knew Adam. It was then she realized who he’d dressed up as. Robin.

Kit came up to her side, head down over her phone. “Julie, Westley is here somewhere—”

“I know. He’s right here.”

Kit looked up, surprise on her face, before she glared. “Fuck.”

Adam looked between Julie and Westley. “What’s going on?”

“You mean she hasn’t told you yet?” Westley snorted.

“Told me what? What’s wrong with you?” Adam turned to Julie. “You two know each other?”

Westley smirked at her. “Hello, Julie. Trying to ruin my friend, just like you ruined me?” He turned to Adam. “This is the chick I told you about. The one who brought up bogus harassment charges when I wouldn’t sleep with her. The one who got me fired from my job. The one who will do the same to you, if you’re not careful.”

Julie glared at Westley. “You’re the one who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.” She looked at Adam. “He attacked a couple of women at work and tried to do the same to me, but I fought back and reported him.”

“I didn’t do anything, other than refuse your advances. And for that you got me fired.”

“As if I’d want to sleep with a slimy worm like you.”

Adam stepped between them. “Enough!” He turned to Julie. “Did you get him fired?”

“Yes. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I was sick of his manipulative games.”

Westley snorted. “Likely story. Your little scheme to use Adam to get to me failed. Go back to where you came from. You don’t belong here. Come on, Adam, let’s go.”

Adam looked back and forth between the two of them before focusing on Julie. “Is that true? You used me to get back at him?”

“No. He’s lying.”

Westley looked at Adam. “Have I ever lied to you?”

Adam shook his head.

“Well I’m not lying now. It’s all her fault I’ve been out of a job since last year. She’s ruined my life and if you’re not careful she’ll ruin yours too.”

Westley clapped Adam on the shoulder. “She played you, man, getting you a ticket to the Costume Contest, buttering you up before she ruined your life over false accusations. Her lies cost me my job.”

Julie looked at Adam. The grim set of his mouth and eyes told her everything she needed to know. He believed the lies Westley was feeding him.

There was a cheer in the lobby and everyone turned to look at the large display. “
Winner of the free tickets to next year’s Con, goes to Classic Batman and Catwoman!”

Adam was too good to be true after all. Head held high, she gave him a small smile that felt as brittle as her heart. “Congratulations, I’m sure you and your
friend
will enjoy next year’s Con.”

Julie turned away, Kit stepped forward, but Julie grabbed her arm. “Come on, Kit. Let’s go.”

Julie walked with a measured pace to the elevator doors, Kit silent by her side.

“Julie…”

She held up a hand as the doors closed. “Not yet.”

Kit nodded and they rode to their floor in silence.

They got to their room and Julie flopped onto her bed, letting the heartache and tears flow. “How could I have been so stupid?”