"Boss, despite being under the threat of losing a limb," Charles began in the middle of a gun fight while they were taking cover, "I really think you should try going out with Lisa." Chaos shot his gun at their opponents twice, the sound ringing out in the domed foyer of a mansion just outside of the city. “You must really not like having limbs,” Chaos grumbled. "I don't know. You haven't been acting like yourself, boss," Victor peeked around the corner of an overturned oak table, "I think you got bit by the love bug. Also, I think you nailed one of them. Their fire has decreased some." Chaos signaled for their sniper to take another out. A shot sang in through a stained glass window. Chaos shouted, “We could talk about this any other time guys." "No we can't. You're always hiding in your office now," Charles took the last guy out. "I am not!" Chaos stood up grabbing the duffel bag, leading the other two men to a secret door behind a large classic style painting. "Are too," Victor crossed his arms. "Am not-- What are we in the fifth grade!" Chaos shook his head. Charles was able to open the safe successfully, "Boss, you've been with a crap ton of women, but you've never acted like this over any of them." Chaos started loading money and jewelry into the duffel bag, "So? What's your point?" Victor was working on clean up with Lector the sniper. They carved out an area with some flame retardant and disarmed the smoke detectors, disentigrating the bodies with flamethrowers. Victor swept up the ashes into a container for a second layer of disposal while Lector mopped up with a liquid that would leave no trace that anyone was there, let alone ashes of bodies. "Boss, we are only saying, maybe you should give it a try with a woman you actually like," Victor nodded. "Who said I like that dangerous little flower?" Chaos exclaimed zipping up his duffel bag. "Well, the first hint is that nickname," Charles stared at him deadpan. Chaos shouted, "Well! What else would I call her since we helped rebuild a weapon of mass destruction! None of you have explained exactly how you know her so well!" Victor and Lector hopped in the backseat of the getaway car while Chaos and Charles jumped in the front. "I already said, I only knew Old Lady Lesura well. She had been running the shop for sixty years. My pops was pretty sweet on her," Victor nodded. "You grandpa that was head of the mob that ran the area before we arrived?” Charles asked. "Yeah! She kind of disappeared when they were teenagers and then came back with a kid twenty-three years later," Victor explained. Charles started driving off, "Makes sense. I met Lisa in a bar around three years ago. I broke up with George at the time. I got pretty sloshed and she took me home and helped me out with that killer hang over." "Awe! I liked George," Lector sighed. "Well, I didn't. So I guess Kevin is your new guy," Chaos sighed, "There's no goldfish is there." "No-- boss," Charles shook his head. "Why did she lie about Kevin being your roommate and that you both had a goldfish?" Chaos tilted his head. "Likely because she didn't want to assume that you knew I was gay. That's why she would be perfect for you boss, she's a terrible liar and she cares about us as much as you do!" Charles insisted. "Well, it is nice that she didn't out you to me," Chaos nodded, "though it was a piss poor explanation. Wait! No! I am not getting romantically involved with someone as delicate as that little flower!" "Don't underestimate flowers, boss," Charles pulled into their skyscraper, "There are some tough ones out there. I can tell you from experience that Lisa is not delicate." "What experience?" Chaos sat up. "Calm down, boss. I didn't suddenly go bisexual. No, I've seen Lisa throw guys twice her size out of that bar we like to go to," Charles gave him side eye, "Interesting that you suddenly jumped up though." "Shut up, Charles," Chaos got out of the car. "Oh! That cute little thing with the round ass is Lisa? I'm pretty sure I'm one of those big oafs she threw out of the bar!" Lector exclaimed. "I should kill you right now, Lector," Chaos muttered. "Interesting that you want to kill Lector for commenting about Lisa's round ass," Charles smirked as Victor giggled. "Shut up, Charles! And stop giggling Victor! We are hardened criminals!" Chaos reprimanded. Victor wiped a tear from his eye, "Ah, sorry, boss." They all got into the elevator, then they punched their respective numbers. When Chaos reached his floor, he stomped off to his room. The three men watched after him. "Lector, you do realize you legitimatly almost died today, right?" Victor glanced at him. Lector shrugged, "At this point, y'all know I'm the dumb one. Even I know that!" "Which is amazing considering you're one of the best snipers in Chaos Corps," Charles squinted his eyes at Lector. Lector smiled, "Thanks, Charles!" Charles shook his head. "So what are we going to do about the boss/Lisa situation?" Victor asked. Charles sighed and thought for a moment, "We do nothing. Boss is determined that nothing good comes from doing good, and as we all know, Lisa is kind of chaotic good." The other two men looked down, "Right." After several moments of silence, the three men looked up at each other with devious smiles worthy of criminals. ----- Back at the shop, Lisa sneezed, "Huh, someone must be talking about me." "Are you even paying attention? How could you stand me up like that! I looked for you on that mountain for hours!" the Jet was following Lisa around lecturing her as she tended to her merchandise. Lisa turned on a heel to face him, "Look, you were the one who left me up there and ran off. Once again, it was the villain who saved me, not the hero." "And what was Creator Chaos doing on the mountain?" the Jet perked up. "Nothing that's any of your concern," Lisa began ignoring him again. The Jet stepped up, "You know you could get thrown in jail for aiding a criminal?" "You know I can press charges against you for leaving me in that spot?" Lisa countered. "How was I supposed to know your parents died there?" the Jet shouted. "Keep your voice down in my shop. You’re disturbing my customers. Secondly, you didn't need to know that information. If you would have listened to me when I asked you not to take me up there you wouldn't have had to go back for the five minutes it took you to look before jumping on some bimbos arm," Lisa growled. The Jet’s abilities are speed and flight. Lisa knew for a fact that he wasn’t up there for hours looking for her. "I did not jump on some bimbo’s arm,” the Jet insisted. "The news says otherwise. It's funny how much of a liar you are. They were eating up how the bad girl stood the Jet up on a date so a nice girl swooped in to save the day or some shit like that," Lisa spritzed some water on some of the flowers in one section. "Yeah, I saw that. It was kind of a dick move considering how sweet Lisa is," one of the customers glared at the Jet. "Thanks, Ben," Lisa nodded. "Anytime you need a character witness, I'm there Lisa," Ben nodded back. "What?" the Jet growled. "Young man, I think it's time you let our Lisa get back to work," Mr. Wilson came around the corner, "I think I prefer the young man that was here yesterday. Lisa, have you talked to him?" Mr. Wilson thought to himself that if her grandfather were here, he would teach this fellow what it means to be a hero. "Not now, Mr. Wilson," Lisa groaned. "This man must be getting senile if he likes a villain over me," the Jet muttered. "Yeah, it's time you get out of my shop. It's one thing if you come in here harrassing me, but you are NOT going to be rude to my customers. Especially not Mr. Wilson," Lisa started pushing him out the door. "Fine! Fine!" the Jet started moving towards the door, "but is there any way I can make it up to y--" "Absolutely not! Now get out of here before I have to call the police down here. You are now trespassing, Jet," Lisa cut him off. The Jet glared back as he walked out the door, "You'll regret this, Lisa." Lisa flipped him the bird until he was out of sight. "Sorry you had to see that, Mr. Wilson," Lisa shook her head. "Young lady, your grandpa would be proud of the guts you showed, though he might have reprimanded you for the delivery," Mr. Wilson nodded. "I know, sir," Lisa apologized. "It's a good thing you pushed him out of here." "Charles!" Lisa hugged Charles as he came in the door. "Hello, Lisa," Charles hugged her back. "Is Spenc-- I mean is Chaos okay?" Lisa asked concerned. "So, the boss told you his real name, huh?" Charles smirked. "Yeah, he did. Though maybe he shouldn't have," Lisa put a finger to her chin. "He's actually the reason I came to see you today," Charles explained, "he wants to meet you tomorrow at the Veridian around 8:30." Lisa tiled her head to the side, "Okay, but why didn't he ask himself?" Charles shrugged, "Well, he is the CEO of Chaos Corps, but he wanted to cut out time in his schedule for you." "Oh! That makes sense! Veridian is kind of expenseive though, isn't it?" Lisa asked. Charles waved a hand, "Veridian is nothing. Just come in your best dress." Lisa grimaced, "At least this gives me time to go shopping." Charles tilted his head to the side. "That dress I was wearing last night was from grandma's wardrobe," Lisa explained. "That was pretty risque for you," Charles noted, "Do you want me to have Lector take you to the store?" "The guy I threw out of the bar?" Lisa exclaimed. "He is an idiot, but he has an eye for fashion on top of being a sniper," Charles explained. Lisa considered it, "Well, as long as he stays appropriate." "Don't worry, Lisa. Lector remembers a good ass whopping when he receives one," Charles reassured her, "If you still aren't at ease I can ask Victor if Veronica would accompany you as well." "I would love for Veronica to come along!" Lisa smiled. "Very good! They will pick you up around 3:00 if that's okay," Charles asked. "The shop doesn't close until 6:30!” Lisa exclaimed. "Don't worry Lisa, Ben and I can take care of the shop, right Ben?" Mr. Wilson said as Ben nodded. "Well, you used to help grandma out Mr. Wilson, and I would feel at ease to have Ben here with you since he's trustworthy and pretty strong," Lisa thought about it. "We've got this Lisa! Just go pick something that will knock this guy's socks off," Ben nodded. "Okay," Lisa was nervous, "I suppose I can go at 3:00 then." "Wonderful!" Charles said as Lector and Veronica waved outside the store window. "All of you set this up didn't you?" Lisa grimaced at Mr. Wilson, Ben and Charles in turn. "I don't know what you're talking about," Mr. Wilson turned up his nose. "Ugh..." Lisa put a hand to her face. — At 3:00 Lector and Veronica took Lisa to the mall. "It's been a while since I've been here," Lisa looked around amazed. "Yeah because your shop doesn't close until after everything is closed," Veronica grimaced. "Don't worry Miss Lisa," Lector reassured her, "We will get you the perfect outfit. Let's start in this store." "I don't know, it's pretty high end," Lisa was unsure. Veronica flashed a credit card, "Don't worry! This is on Victor!" — Somewhere else. "Glad I worked all that over time," Victor cried over his wallet, "this is for the Lisa... and the boss." — "I don't know guys..." Lisa shook her head. Veronica and Lector pulled Lisa into the store. This particular store had outfits like the ones in Lisa's grandma's wardrobe, but it had more modest items too. "I know you're not comfortable with knee length," Lector began, "but how high of a slit are you comfortable with on a floor length dress?" "I think she would look good in this one," Veronica pulled out a dress that had a slit up to the waist that was trimmed with chains down the side. Lisa laughed nervously, "I think that one may be worse than the cocktail dress." "Okay, we won't buy this one, but can you try it on?" Veronica begged. "Fine! Just to try it on," Lisa conceded. When she came out of the dressing room Veronica snapped a quick picture. "Veronica!" Lisa exclaimed. "I'm just taking this for posterity sake," Veronica lied. "Fine," Lisa signed. Veronica chuckled evilly to herself as she sent the picture to Victor to show Chaos. Victor texted her back that it was lovely. Then he texted her back to say that the boss turned a shade of pink he never saw and that he was going to need Veronica to kiss his boo-boos later because Chaos punched him. "My poor honey," Veronica pouted. "That's perfect, Lisa!" Lector exclaimed. Lisa appeared out of the dressing room in a calf length, midnight blue dress that was a little off shoulder. "Maybe I should get this a size up," Lisa checked herself out in the mirror. "What are you talkinga bout? That dress fits like a glove!" Veronica exclaimed. "Yeah, but..." Lisa began. "Listen, because of your figure a size up will not be complimentary. Is it a little tight around your boobs? Maybe. Is it going to draw attention to your ass? Sure!" Veronica explained. "You're not selling me right now Veronica," Lisa grimmaced. "But you should accentuate your assets. The dress is modest because it covers more skin and despite it being tight in all the right places..." "Veronica..." "You can also move around comfortably in it, no?" "It is pretty stretchy," Lisa conceded. "Which means it'll be easy to get off later!" Veronica grinned and clapped her hands. "Absolutely not!" Lisa turned back to go into the dressing room. "Wait a minute, Lisa," Lector said still considering the dress. "Yes, Lector, what is it?" Lisa turned around. "Finding the right dress might be difficult if we don't understand why you're so self-conscious in something like this. The dress looks nice. It's not as tight as you might think/what Veronica described, which by the way I didn't think women could be that pervvy..." Lector gave Veronica side eye. "Hey!" Veronica exclaimed. "I can find something similar, but I have to know why," Lector asked. "I-- just don't like drawing attention to myself is all," Lisa brushed a hair behind her ear. "You prefer the flowers sell themselves for their own beauty, putting no focus on yourself," Lector spoke slowly. "Yeah!" Lisa nodded, "It's difficult to do because I was gifted with grandma's figure. I don't have her confidence to draw people away from that. She was always able to make it about the flowers despite her penchant for showing a lot of skin." Lector nodded, "Well, Lisa, tomorrow night isn't about the flowers or the shop. It's about you being the only flower in the room that the boss sees. But it has to be the real you." Veronica blinked, "Lector-- that's pretty profound." "I may be dumb about a lot of things," Lector nodded, "but when it comes to rifles and matters of the heart I'm not as dumb." Lisa considered his words, "Okay, Lector. I trust you to pick the right one." Lector nodded, "I think I have the perfect idea in mind, but it's not in this store." Lector lead the two women out to another store. He rummaged around in it until he pulled out a jumper. "A jumper, Lector. Really? I thought you were supposed to be good at this," Veronica grimaced. "Just let her try it on and you'll see why I picked it," Lector nodded pleased with himself. When Lisa walked out of the dressing room even Veronica was speechless. The jumper still had the off the shoulder look of the dress, but the bust had some ruffles to it with a somewhat long band around the waist that ran from the middle of the waist to the upper part of the hips. It was loose fit from the hips down. "See, it still accentuates her rack and her ass without shouting, 'Hey! I have a big rack and ass,'" Lector nodded, "It says, 'My face is just as pretty you dumbasses and my shoulders are pretty nice too.'" "Somehow-- that was still profound," Veronica stared at him deadpan though she was impressed. "Yeah! And the color compliments the cinnamon red of her hair while bringing out those beautiful brown eyes," Lector nodded pleased with himself. "I love it, Lector," Lisa breathed. "Great! Now lets get some accessories," Lector cheered. Lector led the two women around to a few other stores. Veronica insisted on the highest heels they could find, but Lector found some flats that were just as pretty. Lisa's legs were long enough that heels would take away from the outfit. "Plus, heels aren't Lisa's style," Lector noted, "aside from the panic attack, I could tell Lisa was uncomfortable in them. Lisa is the kind of woman that likes to have the ability to control her surroundings and not many women can hip toss a goon like me effectively in heels." "I'm beginning to think you're not as dumb as they say," Lisa nodded. "Nah, I'm still that dumb. I just sound smart now because I like this stuff," Lector explained. "So-- why exactly do you work for a criminal organization?" Lisa asked. "Too much of a roughneck for the fashion industry, plus I couldn't pass the entrance exams," Lector noted, "However, like I said I'm also pretty good with a rifle and the boss didn't make me take a math or reading test." "Makes sense," Lisa shrugged. "I think as far as makeup goes, a nude lip would be enough," Lector began, "your skin is creamy and glows on it's own. I don't want to muss up that natural beauty. Unless you want to wear makeup, Lisa." "No, no, no. Lipstick is enough," Lisa agreed, "I don't want to buy a bunch of stuff I'm only going to use for one date." "Who said anything about this being your only date," Veronica squinted her eyes. "It may be, it may not be, but I don't keep up with myself enough for this extra step. The flowers take up most of my time," Lisa nodded. "That's fair--" Veronica conceded, "Well, this next part we are going to leave Lector out of." "Why is that?" Lisa blinked. "Do you HAVE any underwear that is suitable for that outfit?" Veronica asked. "No, I guess not," Lisa muttered, "Why do you have that evil look on your face?" "No reason!" Veronica handed Lector some cash, "Go get yourself some ice cream down at the food court. You've earned it." "There's a lot here," Lector raised his eyebrows, "Can I go to the candy store too?" "You're a grown man," Veronica shook her head, "Of course you don't need permission to go to the candy store." "Hooray!" Lector skipped off. Lisa and Veronica stared at him as he left. It was like the man had two different personalities or something. Veronica started dragging Lisa to the lingerie store. When they came out, Lisa questioned whether or not Lector would have been a better accomplice in lingerie shopping. Veronica purchased a few things that were a bit risque for Lisa, but she conceded on it because Veronica didn't get to pick much else. Lector met back up with them having basically cleaned out the candy store. With that, Lisa was prepared for her date.