Detective, Interrupted

 

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Chapter 1—Father Son Bonding

Chapter 2—That’s…Odd…

Chapter 3—New York, Circa 1933

Chapter 4—As Luck Would Have It

Chapter 5—Encountering Tesla

Chapter 6—Not Alone

Chapter 7—Growing Up Fast

Epilogue

 

 

Author’s Note:   I have found recently that fanfic writing has been extremely cathartic.   Only currently have I begun watching Spider Noir, which was as close as I was going to be able to get to Nic Cage after everything I have been through after a hellacious dumpster fire week.   Like a phoenix, I have been able to rise from the ashes of defeat as always, pick myself up, dust myself off and ‘pull myself up by my bootstraps’ as dad always used to say.   I have found memories that made me smile and contemplate how far I have come and I know that I have ‘miles to go before I sleep’.   I know not everything is straightforward and there are many pathways but all I have to do is put one foot in front of the other.   I’ve managed to make it this far, and that has to count for something.  Also, this is my AU of Marvin.   Hopefully, that doesn’t irritate true fans of the show.   It helps me cope.  

 

 

Chapter 1—Father Son Bonding

            Marvin hadn’t worn plain, comfortable clothes for what seemed to be ages.   He had restored or was desperately trying to repair his relationship with Melody.   He had already gotten closer to Stan and no talk of whomever ‘Mr. Flesh’ popped up.    The young lad seemed so much healthier, more stable.    All he had to do was spend time with the kid.   He kept telling himself that Stan was different, and he wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes his own dad had.  Marvin wasn’t his father.   It was a new evening, and he was already making strides.   

            Marvin admired the old-fashioned radio Stan had found. Recently, he was fascinated with ham radio and was contacting people all over the world. He was even making real friends and socializing.    Marvin was extraordinarily proud of his boy.   Of course, he was extremely sensitive, and he saw a lot of himself in his own son but someday, he figured Stan was going to be an incredible detective or even a forensic scientist.   Whatever the young man chased, Marvin would support him in it.  

            ‘That’s a mighty fine radio you’ve found, Stan.   Where did you say you picked it up from again ?’, he asked as the two were tuning into its frequencies and talking over a microphone to thousands of other hams contesting that evening.    Stan’s remarkable ability would help him down the road with dispatch.   He had to admit all the radio jargon was incomprehensible but seeing Stan smile and genuinely have glee was priceless.  

            ‘I found it at the dump.   I didn’t know if it still worked but I did a bit of minor repair and it’s just like new.   I can’t believe it’s still functional.’, Stan observed aloud.   Stan wasn’t frightened of using a stick welder and figuring things out on his own.   Marvin was impressed at how far he had come, especially at such a young age.  

 

Chapter 2—That’s…Odd…

            While participating in POTA, there was an unusual surge in activity.   Outside their tent as their fire roared, there were all sorts of fireflies.   Typical yellows, some brilliant white and the rare amber.   Marvin puzzled for a moment.   He had seen yellow fireflies his entire life, but the white ones were unusual.    The amber one was something he wasn’t expecting.   There was also a massive thunderstorm he hadn’t planned on but nothing else out of the ordinary.  

            Marvin heard a frequency that sounded like something out of a 1933 film noir but thought nothing of it.  

            ‘Maybe we should hunker down, the wind’s picking up.’, he said.   Stan was fascinated by the unusual voice that called out from the radio.   Electricity crackled and with one lightning bolt, Marvin had suffered a massive shock.    When he awoke, he was no longer in Grimsburg.

 

Chapter 3—New York, Circa 1933

            At first, Marvin was certain he was dead, but he had to find a refuge from the rain immediately.   He figured he’d call John, Greg, Martina, or Wynona.   Rufus would probably laugh at him from a distance, making a dismissive remark that he had ‘brought this upon himself’ but he’d wryly reply, ‘Oh, like you did in your illustrious criminal stint ?’.  

            He was nearly killed in the gritty downtown hustle and bustle.   A rather unusual but extremely well-dressed PI had swooped down and saved him.

            ‘What the hell are you doing messing around in the street ?   You could’ve gotten yourself killed !’, the sharp dressed, fedora wearing superhero said.   For a moment, Marvin felt like a child hurling through the air, clutching onto a stranger he barely knew.   

            ‘You’ll have to pardon me.  I don’t know where I am.’, Marvin genuinely explained.   Atop the roof, Ben Reily looked as if he was burdened and his temples were pounding.   The late-night alcohol bender at The Alcove was starting to catch up with him.  

            ‘New York.  Where else did you think you were, pal ?’, Ben asked him.    It dawned on Marvin everything he knew to be reality had been ultimately shifted.    He was extremely cautious and did whatever he could to keep the fabric of reality from tearing, but he knew he had to return home soon, or he would be relegated to sleeping on the couch in the basement by himself again.  

            ‘I saw you fiddling with that weird black rectangle in your pocket.’, Ben said, observantly.   His secretary thought it was an unusual item as well.   

            ‘It’s my…communication device.   Ever since I arrived it’s been wonky.   I can’t seem to get it to work.   Probably better this way, but I need to get back home as soon as I can.  I’ve got people, especially my son counting on me.’, Marvin said, with conviction.    Ben was impressed.  He didn’t know who Marvin was but figured that he was much like himself.   Nothing other than Marvin’s arrival had been unusual, so he decided to help him.    He didn’t realize that a case would come in at just the same time, and he’d see this extraordinarily minded man in action.

 

Chapter 4—As Luck Would Have It

            Janet answered the phone and reported a missing person with little evidence and what sounded like a hectic, frantic voice on the other side of the line.   Ben took his time with the woman and reassured her that she would return her love to him.   Every time he did so, it was out of grief for Ruby.    Marvin knew better than most what a guilty conscience could do but was awed by the man’s tenacity and gumption.   He had a lot more grit than he let on and kept showing up despite the burden of replaying Ruby’s death on repeat every day he woke up.  

            Marvin knew Nicola Tesla would be available in this dimension.   He had encountered other versions of himself, and he knew the quantum mechanics somewhat even though it strained his brain.    He had gotten enough sleep the night before and with a Danish and coffee fueling him, he started to investigate with Ben. 

            Marvin could connect the dots extremely quickly.   From what little evidence they had to follow, they found that the missing husband that Ms. Franks had described, Richard Franks, had taken a wrong turn down an alleyway the night before and crossed paths with less than scrupulous individuals.   It was Silvermane’s men, up to their old tricks.   Richard owed them money for gambling on the ponies again.   It was the last time, he had told himself, that he would get caught up in betting on a ‘rigged system’, but sometimes addiction was a ruthless beast.   

            ‘Hey, if you ever need help, there’s a group you can reach out to.   You’ve paid your penance.   That lout shouldn’t bother you anymore.  He knows I’m not one to toy with.’, Ben stated as Spider Noir.   The city had been so much safer since he had returned.   It had been through reluctance, but Ben sadly knew that only he could police the city and keep it on the straight and narrow pathway.  

            ‘You work efficiently.   Seeing your crime mind in action is remarkable.  How long have you had that ability ?’, Ben questioned as the two celebrated with some libations.   They were more temperate than usual tonight.   They both needed their wits for hunting down assistance.   Marvin didn’t know how much time was passing back in Grimsburg but already a few days had passed him by and he was a little anxious about the precinct and his beloved family.   He would have a massive amount of explaining to do but at least this time around they would be more amenable to his explanations knowing that as a dad he was giving it his all and showing up to fulfill the role much better than he had in the past.  

 

Chapter 5—Encountering Tesla

            The next day, Marvin narrowed down all the locations he thought Nicola would be in.  Ben didn’t really know who Nicola was, but he thanked Ben for his help thus far.        

            ‘This next part I’ve got to do on my own.   Your assistance won’t go unmerited.’, Marvin said.   Ben touched the brim of his fedora as a bit of an acknowledgement and respect.  Behind a hardened man was a dad with a soft heart and the resolve to keep being the best parent he could, even a better husband than he had been in the past.    He already knew that being human could be messy, but he and Harmony were doing their best to raise Stan right and into his formative years, the lad would remember them getting along fondly.  

            Ben was able to finally take a much-needed rest from sleuthing, but Marvin was skulking the streets, searching for a young Nicola Tesla.   If anyone knew about complex inventions, it would be him, and he would be around puttering somewhere to himself.   The only question was where exactly he would be dithering about.  

            It didn’t take Marvin long to hear the familiar sound of Tesla coils (not yet named) when Marvin came upon the inventor studying current in electricity.    He hadn’t perfected it, but he was close to solving the issue of DC for the common people and anyone who wanted to benefit from it.  

            ‘Excuse me, Mr. Tesla ?’, Marvin asked as the young inventor removed his steampunk goggles from his face.   His hair wildly stood on end from the electric exposure as if he had become a livewire himself.   Electricity and Tesla had a mutual understanding, but he wasn’t reckless when it came to his safety and everyone else’s. 

            ‘How do you know me, Sir ?’, the Austro-Hungarian queried.   Marvin thought of something rapidly.

            ‘I have heard tremendous things about your inventions.  I was wondering if you knew anything about quantum mechanics or quantum physics.  I have a bit of a quandary.’, Marvin stated honestly.    Nicola relished challenges.   From the looks of the detective, he deciphered that the man talking to him was lost and a long way from home.   Intrinsically he already knew the unspoken rules of time travel and had just the thing to shoot Marvin back home. 

 

Chapter 6—Not Alone

            It looked like a device straight out of Doctor Who mixed in with a bit of steampunk and retro futuristic elements.   Holding the electric slingshot Marvin had no clue how it worked but knew if he aimed into ‘thin space’ as Nicola called it, he would be back home. 

            ‘We need to find where your entry point was.’, Tesla said.   It had been in the middle of a busy intersection while traffic was rushing at breakneck speeds.   Fortunately, night meant fewer people and although it was dangerous, Tesla tensed the elastic and let the plasma fly, knowing (or hoping) that a tear would form and he could return to Grimsburg. 

            Marvin thanked the man, thinking his name would be stricken from history.  He didn’t think of the repercussions since he only wanted to see Stan and the rest of the gang again. 

            With a thud, Marvin found himself where he had left.   Stan looked confused.

            ‘Dad, where were you ?   We were looking everywhere.   Mom was getting worried !’, the bespectacled boy in a red cape said.   Marvin only took Stan into his arms and hugged him, not caring what his PD crew thought.   He wasn’t alone.  Not now, not ever.   Even Melody was happy to see him again.

            ‘GROUP HUG !  Come on guys, while he’s vulnerable !’, Greg said in his sweeter than syrup voice.    The Black cyborg embraced Flute, his best and only friend.  

            ‘I’m glad to be back.’, Marvin said.   They were all intrigued with his stories of New York, but Kang felt he had been getting a bit loaded at Quintos.   When Marvin explained it wasn’t a libation or a case of food poisoning they looked at the radio for evidence and decided Marvin had simply suffered a typical electrical overdose.   After all, his hair was still slightly singed, and his trench coat lapel looked somewhat burned.   As the crew went their way, Pentos lingered. 

            ‘I believe you.  If anyone could’ve traveled through time, you’d be my first pick.  After all, those other dopples had done the same once before, so therefore the reverse is true.’, Rufus stated.  Marvin was slightly overjoyed that his once enemy was venerating him.  It might have been temporary but to be right just felt so vindicating.  

 

 

Chapter 7—Growing Up Fast

            Melody didn’t seem disappointed in Marvin as usual.  She didn’t have caustic, snide remarks or jabbing commentary.    Instead, she had looped her arm into his and made a similar noise that bears make when claiming their life mate.   It was also a bit of a signal that she was feeling frisky tonight.    Marvin couldn’t believe his odds.   He looked at the beautiful woman he was repairing his relationship with and gazed deeply into her eyes.    God, she was gorgeous.   Raised by bears or not, she was absolutely devastating to behold.  

            He took her into his arms, dipped her down and kissed her, deeply with a passion hotter than tens of thousands of volcanoes.    His ardor for her had never died and neither had his libido. 

            ‘I will come to ravish you, woman.  Mark my words.   Firstly, I have fatherly duties to handle.’, he said.   She bit her lower lip in anticipation.  Seeing him be a tremendous parent was only fuel for her burning desire.   

            Stan had taken his cape off and he had been wearing it less.  He had heard nothing of Mr. Flesh and wondered if that particular apparition (or whatever it happened to be) was.  The young lad still sat up, wanting to hear about Marvin’s adventures in 1933 New York. 

            After all it had only been a few minutes, but when he had been lost in time and space, Stan noted the radio seemed normal and perfectly mundane now.   Marvin let out a sigh of relief.  Like the encounter with the other Marvins, it was a ‘one and done’ tale and he could go back to his normal life.  

            Marvin wasn’t above giving Stan a kiss on the forehead before making sure he was ready to go to bed.  

            ‘Dad ?’, the boy said as he had placed his glasses beside him on his nightstand.   The dinosaur night light illuminated his space.  

            ‘Yeah, sport ?’, Marvin stated.   Sweetly, Stan said.  ‘I love you.’, then turned around, grabbed a teddy bear and held it close to his chest before falling deep asleep.   Marvin had a bit of an errant tear fall down his grizzled face, but he couldn’t have been happier.  He whispered that he loved him back and returned to his wife.   To him, divorce papers or not, they were still married.    A piece of paper didn’t determine their status, and it never would. 

 

Epilogue

            Melody looked ecstatic lying in Marvin’s arms.   Sometimes he could be an insufferable idiot, but to her, he was her insufferable idiot.    She didn’t know what the future entailed for them together, but their love would remain steadfast no matter what the obstacles life hurled in their path.    After all, Marvin was constantly evolving and improving, and Melody was intrigued to see what type of man he would become as they continued down life’s path as a couple.

 

The End