Work Text:
Dante woke up at six in the morning, just like he does every other day. He was quick to start his daily routine, showering, brushing his teeth, reading the morning paper, doing the daily crossword, everything a lonely middle aged man like himself would need to do before going to work.
Today was the day he would demonstrate his new invention, the Inthermo, for a select group of students. Dante took great pride in this creation of his. Him and Zalinka had been working so hard to make sure everything was perfect for today.
Zalinka had been….very enthusiastic about assisting Dante with the Inthermo. It was the one thing she actually got excited about. Anytime Dante felt discouraged with his work, Zalinka was always right there to pick him back up and help him get back on track.
Ever since Zalinka had been assigned to work with Dante, the two of them had become great friends. Well…at least…that's how Dante saw it. Dante viewed Zalinka as a young woman in her late twenties trying to get into science. She was so kind and patient with him, she allowed him to ramble to her in their free time, she tied his shoes for him, and she always made sure he had the right candies at his desk. She was almost motherly in a way. Dante loved the time he spent with his loyal assistant.
Zalinka, on the other hand, despised these moments with Dante. Always cleaning up after him, fixing his wardrobe malfunctions, making special arrangements…having to care for this pathetic man child really disrupted her work.
"Just do it, Sydney," Big would tell her, "you're doing it for the greater good."
Zalinka would nod and say, "yes, dear. Anything for you," but deep down she knew she always wanted to quit.
That was…until she thought about it more. The closer and closer it got to the planned day of kidnapping, the more Zalinka started to pity this man. He was so lonely. He had no friends, no boyfriend or husband to go home to, and nothing to look forward to in his life except coming home from work. His life, from Zalinka's point of view, was miserable.
Big was very particular about even the pettiest of crimes, so something as big as kidnapping a very important professor was obviously going to be meticulously planned. The more Zalinka started to feel bad for Dante, the more she dreaded the day of kidnapping. Big had told her to invite him out to go to dinner at The Fortune Cookie Club, and the agents would take it from there. (Big's original plan was to have Zalinka seduce Dante, but that obviously did not work out, seeing as she is a married lesbian and he is an obviously gay man.)
Against her better judgment, Zalinka's feigned friendship quickly turned genuine, and now that she knows she must aid in his kidnapping, she feels a bit of guilt. Despite this, Big has always been there to remind her of her goal. Kidnap Dante, steal the Intermo, destroy the Statue of Liberty.
If only Dante knew.
—
It was almost time for Dante to go home. He was a bit stressed out from the day. The miniature of the Inthermo had…worked. What now? Should he make a bigger one? What use would that do? Bring more death and destruction to this already messed up world? Or should he destroy the Inthermo? Ruin months and months of his own hard work just because of his own fears? He didn't know.
He was sitting at his desk, rereading his notes from the day when he heard a familiar sound. His face softened as he recognized the sound as Zalinka's heels. Dante combed his fingers through his neat, blond hair and spun his chair around to face his assistant. She was flipping through the pages of her clipboard as she entered the office.
"Good evening, Dante," she greeted him as she made her way over to a filing cabinet.
"Good evening." He focused his attention on his assistant and watched as she filed some paperwork. "Are you heading home?"
"Not yet."
Zalinka finished filing her papers and turned around to face Dante. She leaned on the tall filing cabinets behind her and crossed her arms.
"Not yet?" Dante raised an eyebrow. "Don't you have your missus to get back to? I'm sure she'll be happy to see you after such a long day."
"Mm… well…" Zalinka sighed and twirled some of her hair around her finger. "She's a very busy woman...I'm afraid I'll have no one to go home to tonight."
"Oh, shame. Hey…now that you mention it… when will I get to meet this mysterious wife of yours? You've been mentioning her ever since we've met and I've yet to be introduced."
Zalinka gave Dante a warm smile. "Oh, you'll meet her soon enough. She's actually been trying to fit a meeting with you in her schedule."
Dante, absolutely oblivious to Zalinka's true intentions, happily nodded. "That sounds wonderful. I'm looking forward to it."
"Speaking of…schedules… would you happen to be free tonight?" Zalinka asked as she walked closer to Dante's desk.
Dante's face immediately lit up and his excitement took over. "Of course!!" He quickly recognized his own change in tone and corrected himself. He cleared his throat and started again. "Of course. I'm always free."
Zalinka giggled at Dante's excitement. "Would you like to go out to dinner with me tonight?"
He nodded immediately. "Yes! Yes I would love to."
"Wonderful! There's an Chinese restaurant not too far from h—"
"Can we get Italian?" he blurted out with zero regard to what Zalinka was saying.
"Well…Dante…. there's actually a restaurant I've been wanting to show you and I—"
"We can go to the Italian restaurant down the street… or maybe the one near my house… and I think there's one a few towns over but it's worth driving out that far because their food is really gr—"
"Dante!" Zalinka raised her voice a bit. "You're rambling. I was trying to tell you about this Chinese restaurant really close to the university. It's called The Fortune Cookie Club. Surely you've heard of it from your students?"
Dante scrunched his nose. "Well…I suppose I have heard of it, yes…but I've never actually been there—"
"Then that settles it. I'll meet you at the Fortune Cookie Club later tonight."
"But…Zalinka I'd much rather go to an—"
"I'll pay."
Dante stayed silent and thought over her offer.
"And I'll order for you."
He smiled, satisfied with her conditions. "The Fortune Cookie Club it is! What time would you like to meet?"
"I still have some work to do here…and I'll need some time to get ready at home…is ten pm alright with you?"
"Ten pm?" Dante questioned, "Surely the restaurant would be closed by then."
"Nonsense," she smiled, "The Fortune Cookie Club is always open."
Zalinka stared at Dante for just enough time to make the silence awkward and uncomfortable.
"Well then." Dante grabbed his bag and stood up. "I guess I'll be seeing you tonight, then."
The two of them exchanged a small smile. As soon as she made eye contact with Dante, Zalinka immediately felt regret for what she had just done. Was this man really as large of a threat as Big makes him out to be? He's just some sweet, clumsy guy who happens to have created a weapon capable of mass destruction. Is it really worth it to have this man suffer? Is it worth it to kidnap and steal from him just for this stupid publicity stunt? Why was Big even trying to blow up The Statue of Liberty? What would she gain? What would Zalinka gain?
Dante turned around and started to walk out of the room.
"Dante, wait."
He turned around and looked at his assistant. The two of them made more painful eye contact.
"Is…something wrong?" Dante asked.
Zalinka took a deep breath. It's now or never. Stop Dante and tell him the truth or let him stay oblivious and let him get kidnapped. Admit that she genuinely cares about Dante or hide it forever. Disobey Big or show loyalty to her. Dante or Big. Good or evil. Right or wrong.
Zalinka shook her head. "Don't be late for dinner."
—
Zalinka was at her house, getting ready in the bedroom. She picked out her outfit, planned out her makeup, and got into the shower. After taking her shower, she brushed and curled her usually pin straight blonde hair. She wanted to look good, despite what was going to happen.
As she was doing her makeup, she heard the front door open. Confused, she called out, "Big? Is that you, honey?"
"Yeah, it's me," her wife called back.
"I thought I wouldn't see you until later," Zalinka said, lowering the volume of her voice as Big made her way through the house and into the bedroom, "I assumed that you and Garth were still at the Hotel Cramley."
"Got finished early. I wanted to see you before you left."
Big walked over to Zalinka and hugged her from behind. She pressed her forehead up against Zalinka's middle back. (She wanted to look over her wife's shoulder, but due to her height that wasn't really an option.)
"Excited for the big day?" Big asked, squeezing Zalinka a few times.
Zalinka sighed and set her makeup brush down. "Big. I… don't think I can do this."
"What?" Big immediately pulled away from the hug and looked up at Zalinka. "What are you talking about?"
"I've been doing some thinking...and…"
Big raised an eyebrow and Zalinka quickly looked away. She didn't want to see the disappointment and anger that was about to take over her boss's face.
Zalinka continued speaking, "Dante doesn't deserve this. He's a good man, Big, I'm sure if we just explained our plan to him then he would—"
"Report us to the police. That's what he would do. You really think a goody two shoes like him would want to join our side?"
"He's very understanding. I'm sure if I just come clean then he'll—"
"You've got to be kidding me," Big laughed, "I mean come on, are you hearing yourself?"
"Please, Big. I'm all he has. He's so lonely. He practically begged a CONTROL agent to go out with him because he couldn't find anyone else. You must—"
"Oh come on, Sydney, you cannot be serious right now. Do you understand how much this mission means to me?" Big sighed. "Out of all of my top KAOS agents, I picked you. Not them, you, Sydney, because you were the strongest person I had working for me. I picked you because I knew you would be the best in this position. Now you're telling me you want to quit because you feel bad for this pathetic man?"
"He's not pathetic…" Zalinka started to lose her strict demeanor. She knew Big wasn't going to budge. "I told you. He's a good man."
Big stared at Zalinka, obviously aggravated. Zalinka looked down at her superior and made the dreaded eye contact.
After a few seconds of staring, Big smiled and said, "Fine."
She reached into a dresser drawer and started fishing around for something. Zalinka looked away from her immediately. She didn't want to do this mission anymore. Just the thought of hurting Dante made Zalinka feel sick to her stomach.
After a bit more digging around, Big grabbed something. She turned towards Zalinka and started to speak.
"If you tell Dante about your affiliation with KAOS…" Big revealed the item she had gotten out of the drawer. It was a handgun. "Then I'll have no choice but to kill him."
Zalinka's eyes widened. "No! No, you wouldn't!"
"Oh, but I would."
Big had an horrifyingly evil grin on her face.
"You're my wife! How could you do this to me?" Zalinka pleaded.
"I'm not your wife, Zalinka, I'm your boss. You will assist in Dante's kidnapping or else you're fired. Do you understand?"
"Please don't do th—"
"Do you understand?"
Zalinka looked into Big's intimidating eyes. She stared at the monster her beloved wife had become. Where had it all gone wrong?
"I understand," Zalinka said, flatly.
"Wonderful! I love you, Sydney."
Big stood on her tippie toes and gave Zalinka a kiss on the cheek.
"Take this," Big said, handing Zalinka the gun. "I'm going out to headquarters, I expect to see you there soon."
Big exited the room and went off to retrieve her coat from the coat rack. Zalinka felt so…angry. She wanted to scream and cry and do all these reckless things….but she couldn't. She knew she had to stay calm and collected.
She couldn't believe how Big was treating her. Zalinka had devoted years and years of her life to KAOS and this is how she's being repaid? Outrageous.
Before Big left the house, Zalinka mustered up all of her courage and called out, "I'll have you know, I am not watching the Wong sisters take him!"
"Fine!" Big called back with a manic giggle, "I don't care, as long as he's in my headquarters by tonight!"
And with that, Big left. Zalinka looked down at the gun then up at herself in the mirror. Maybe Big was right. Maybe Dante was pathetic and Zalinka was just being soft. Maybe it would all be worth it in the end….
She put the handgun in her purse and continued getting ready.
—
Dante stepped out of his car. He was wearing more casual clothing, a polo shirt and khakis. He was also wearing his classic purple boots….and they were completely untied.
He looked around the parking lot. It was…completely empty. He was half grateful and half skeptical. On one hand, no one would be there to watch him struggle to tie his shoes, and on the other hand, he was nervous that the restaurant had closed already, despite Zalinka being insistent about it "never closing."
Just as Dante was about to bend down and attempt to tie his shoes, Zalinka's car pulled up into the parking lot. Dante quickly shoved his hands into his pockets and tried to make it seem like he wasn't intently watching as Zalinka parked and got out of her car.
"Hello! Fancy seeing you here," Dante joked as his friend approached him.
Zalinka giggled at the joke. "Good evening, Dante. You look wonderful tonight."
"Oh, please, Sydney, there's no need to be so formal. You don't have to address me by last name when we're not in the lab. We are friends, afterall."
Zalinka internally cringed at Dante's use of her first name. She didn't want to be friendly with him, especially not now.
"Mm. Yes. My apologies, Hugo."
"Don't apologize! I'm not upset, I'm just excited to be here with you," Dante chuckled.
Zalinka gave him a small smile. She was about to lead him inside when her eyes drifted down and she noticed his untied boots.
"Oh… Hugo, your boots…"
"Oh, yes I was just going to—"
Without another word, Zalinka took off her heels and got on her knees. She began tightening and tying Dante's laces, making sure they were secure.
Dante looked down at his friend. He watched as she tied his shoes, just as she's done time and time before.
"Hey…" he said softly, "you're getting all dirty from the ground. You should get up. I don't want your skirt to get ruined."
Zalinka ignored him. She didn't want to get soft with him right now. She needed to distance herself.
"Sydney? Yoohoo…" Dante poked the top of Zalinka's head.
Zalinka sniffled. She felt like she was on the verge of tears. She was so upset, so angry at everything that was going on. She finished tying Dante's shoes, but was hesitant to get up. She couldn't handle any more eye contact.
Dante was confused on why Zalinka wasn't acknowledging him. He crouched down and put his hand on Zalinka's cheek. He moved her head upwards so the two of them could look at eachother.
"Are you okay?" he asked, still speaking very softly.
Zalinka refused to look him in the eyes. "Yes. I am fine. Don't worry about me."
Dante wasn't too satisfied with her response, but he didn't want to pry anymore. He could tell that something was off, but if Zalinka didn't want to talk about it, then she didn't have to.
"Okay, well, thank you for helping me with my shoes," Dante said with a smile.
Zalinka let out a breathy sigh. "You're welcome."
The two of them sat there in silence for a bit. Dante held Zalinka's face while she avoided all eye contact and tried to keep herself from crying. She felt so guilty, and the gun in her purse that she was hyper aware of did not help.
After a few more seconds, Dante pulled away completely and stood up. "Welp! We should get in there. Like you said, don't want to be late."
He held his hand out and Zalinka hesitantly pulled herself up. She slipped her heels back on and brushed herself off. The two of them held each other's hands as they walked into the restaurant. Zalinka quickly shook Dante's hand away as she noticed the Wong sisters walking up to them.
"Greetings!" The sister in blue said as she approached Dante. "I am Mary, and we'll be your servers for today."
Shirley and Betsy, the two other servers, introduced themselves to Dante as well. Dante was absolutely fascinated by the three women in colour coordinated outfits in front of him. Zalinka, however, was not amused.
Betsy stepped forward. "Do you have any seating preferences?" she asked.
"A seat near a window would be nice." Dante responded.
"Great! We have one of those available."
Shirley stepped forward. "Here are your menus. We'll be right with you in just a few moments."
Dante smiled and took a menu. "Thank you."
The Wong sisters skipped away, leaving Dante and Zalinka to find their seats.
"This place is amazing!" Dante whispered as the two of them walked to their window seats.
"Mhm," Zalinka stared at the ground as they sat down.
As they waited for the sisters to come back, Dante made small talk. He talked about the menu, went on some of his usual rants, and brought up some stuff about work. Zalinka responded to each of Dante's ramblings with nods of approval and slight giggles. It wasn't because she didn't want to pay attention, it was because she physically couldn't bring herself to.
"Mm…speaking of…" Dante pondered. "A lot of students have been dropping out of our eight am lecture, and I don't know why. Is eight am really that early?"
Zalinka was quickly pulled out of her thoughts.
"What did you just say?" she asked.
"Hm? Oh, I was asking if eight am was that e—"
"No, before that."
"Oh! I said people are dropping out of our eight am lecture."
"Our? What do you mean by our lecture? It's your class," Zalinka said with an uncomfortable giggle.
"Nonsense! You put just as much effort into instructing the class as I do."
"Oh please don't say that—"
"Not only that, you're also a great assistant. You've been so helpful with my studies and you're probably the reason why the Inthermo actually got finished on time…"
"Please, Hugo, I don't deserve all of the pr—"
"And, if you don't mind me saying, I really do consider you as a close friend. You've always been there for me during the hardest times and you've helped me through a lot."
"Hugo. You're rambling again."
"Honestly, I don't think I would've gotten to go on that date with 44 if it wasn't for your advi—"
"Dante!"
Dante flinched. Zalinka had never yelled at him like that before. Embarrassed, he picked up his menu and propped it up to hide his face.
Zalinka sighed and cleared her throat. She picked up her menu as well to create a barrier between her and Dante.
"So…what are you thinking of ordering?" she asked, trying to fill the silence and distract herself from everything Dante had just said to her.
"The Paradise Chicken looks good," Dante mumbled.
Out of the corner of Zalinka's eye, she noticed the three Wong sisters getting ready to push a metal cart over to the table. She took this as her cue to leave. She couldn't handle being an accomplice to her best friend's kidnapping.
"I'm going to go to the ladies room," she said quickly.
Dante looked up at his friend and smiled. "Okay."
Zalinka smiled back and nodded. "Okay."
She hurried off to the bathroom, leaving Dante alone.
Just as Zalinka left, the Wong sisters brought their tray over to the table. Dante was a bit confused, as neither him or Zalinka had ordered yet.
"Oh! What's th—"
The three sisters uncovered the platter and pulled out their guns.
At first, Dante didn't understand what was happening.
"Hey…are those… Are those real? Why do you have th—"
Before Dante could finish his sentence, Mary pointed her oversized gun at Dante's temple. "Slowly place your hands behind your chair and keep them visible."
Dante's heart started racing.
"Excuse me? Who do you think you are? I'll have you know that I—"
"Hands behind your back or I'll shoot," Mary commanded, shoving Dante's head a bit with her gun.
He did as he was told and placed his hands behind his chair. One part of him wanted to call out to Zalinka, but the other part of him prayed she would stay in the bathroom. He didn't want these people to hurt his friend.
Shirley tied up Dante and pulled him up to his feet.
"Come on," Betsy commanded as she grabbed a hold of Dante's arm and began pulling him to the exit of the restaurant.
"I'll notify the boss that we have Dante in captivity," Shirley said to Mary.
"Wonderful. Let's move onto the next phase of the operation at once."
Mary and Shirley quickly followed behind Betsy and assisted her in taking Dante to the second location.
Zalinka had listened to the whole interaction between Dante and the sisters from the bathroom. She clutched her purse. Dark mascara stained her face. She hadn't even realized that she was crying until her tears blurred her vision.
Zalinka took her glasses off and wiped her eyes. She walked over to the bathroom sink and looked up at herself in the mirror. She stared at the mascara stains and smudged lipstick on her face.
Suddenly, after looking at the messed up make-up on her face, something in Zalinka's brain switched. Her quiet sobs slowly turned into manic laughter. Why is she crying over such a pathetic man? Dante is worthless. He's a mere pawn in Big's chess game. A man who is only good for his invention and nothing else.
Zalinka reapplied her makeup and brushed her fingers through her hair. She pulled the gun out of her purse and smiled.
Lady Liberty will never know what hit her.