~o0o~
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Kim Possible or any characters associated with the show.
~o0o~ ~o0o~ ~o0o~
It was a dark and stormy night … or that's what Shego believed the weather should be as she stomped into her safe-house. She was furious, slamming the door shut behind her.
Of all the museums in all the towns in all the world, Kimmie walks into mine.
She barely acknowledged the upmarket studio apartment around her as she hurled her backpack across the room, its contents spilling out over the polished wood floor. Revealed were a black, form-fitting mask, climbing equipment, lock picks and other thieving paraphernalia, all spelling out her evening's activity.
It was a simple job! Should've been a simple job! Just something to relieve the boredom of going legit.
She stood there in the dark and stifled a scream, her gloved hands clenching and unclenching in frustration. She wanted to punch something - someone - so hard, her rage at being thwarted rising to dangerous levels.
My first chance at some fun since the Lorwardian invasion, and Kimmie had to be guarding the damned thing. She shouldn't have been there! No one should have! My plan was perfect! She groaned as she dragged her hands down her face. I sound just like Drew used to…
She backhanded an exquisite lamp, shattering it into a dozen pieces. It did not help her mood one bit.
I woulda returned it!
…eventually!
She grabbed her long black hair and pulled as she started to count to ten, her gloves vaporizing in a burst of green fire.
Dammit! I liked those.
She sighed at her bare hands as the anger just drained from her, then she became aware of all her aches and pains. Shaking her head she headed for the balcony, grimacing as she pulled off her long-sleeved top. She continued undressing as she went, shoes, socks and pants vigorously tossed to the side.
Paris!
She threw open the glass doors to the terrace, the Eiffel Tower glittering in the distance. In just her underwear she enjoyed the cool, autumn breeze on her skin and the ambience of the city … then reality returned. Glancing down, the moonlight revealed all the ugly bruises marring her form. They were all part and parcel of a criminal's life - or former criminal - and she was thankful that she healed quickly. Though her ego was hurt far worse than the blows Kim had landed.
I was rusty. She snorted. Kimmie was rusty, too. College must be agreeing with her. A frown creased her forehead. Can't believe she lied to me! Her lip curled in a sneer. "Oh no, Shego," she said, mimicking Kim from a year ago. "No more crime fighting for me until I've finished my degree!"
Kimmie deserved every bruise I gave her! She touched a tender cheek. At least I was wearing a mask, and not my catsuit…
She leaned against the door as she replayed their encounter. At her first punch she had seen the look of shock on Kim's face. Kim knew it was her. Shego also knew that Kim knew that she knew she knew. It had all been so messed up. From there she had limited herself to maintain her disguise in front of the security cameras. No superhuman acrobatics, no snarky comments, and definitely no glowing green hands.
She was in her battlesuit, and I couldn't properly fight back. So unfair!
It had been an exercise in self-restraint, and it had only gotten worse when Kim had realized Shego was doing all in her power to maintain her anonymity.
Ooh! she thought, smacking the wall beside her. I so wanted to wipe that smug grin off her face!
In the end a well-timed kick followed by a falling statue had allowed her to escape, Kim distracted by saving the priceless antiquity.
Now what?
She looked behind her at the mess of equipment on the floor, her gaze turning thoughtful.
~o0o~
Sayonara, Shego thought as she dropped her bundle of thieving equipment into the river below.
There was a muted splash, followed by ripples, then no sign that the deed had ever been done. She glanced around, still alone on the bridge. No pedestrians or cars, and most importantly - no surveillance cameras. She sighed and rested her hands on the stone railing, staring wordlessly at the waterway.
This is stupid! She punched the handrail. So damn stupid!
It was idiotic being out and about this soon after a failed heist, but she had needed to get rid of the only items that could link her to the robbery. While her safe-house was safe, she was not going to leave things to chance since Kim was involved. Being caught at the scene of the crime was only marginally worse than being caught at home with the corroborating evidence.
No, best to get rid of everything.
She adjusted her hoodie to make sure it still covered her face and stuffed her hands in the pockets, then headed back to her apartment.
Even with all my thieving stuff gone, and only Kimmie's word against mine, they could still say it's enough circumstantial evidence to revoke my amnesty. Especially if they catch me here in Paris. She glared at the buildings in the distance as if they were somehow to blame. By now Global Justice will have torn up my apartment in New York, Interpol will have flagged me, and the French Police will be out looking for me.
She booted an empty soda can off the footpath and into the river.
What a shit show! All because Miss Priss couldn't keep her word!
She reached the end of the bridge lost in thought, but the colors on a passing vehicle caught her attention. Years of experience kept her stride steady as she watched the police car slow before turning down a side street.
Did they recognize me?
A siren in the distance caused her fight or flight instincts to instantly kick in.
She judged the distance back along the bridge then all the other possible escape routes open to her. None were ideal, and gone was the option of heading home to her safe-house. In the blink of an eye she sprinted along the footpath and up the side of an apartment block then across its rooftop. Using her agility and inhuman strength to its fullest, she traversed her way across the city's skyline, and was soon blocks away in the opposite direction from any police pursuit.
~o0o~
Kimmie's cruisin' for a bruisin' the next time we meet! Shego thought as she made her way beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Even at this late hour the parkland around the base of the tower was still quite crowded, which suited her just fine. Anonymity was her friend. From the darkness of her hood she eyed everyone as she passed, waiting for that moment of recognition that would ruin everything. It never came. All of the happy couples intent on their significant other. It was the city of love, after all.
But none for me.
Against her better judgement she remembered her failed fling with Dr. Drakken, and the subsequent fallout.
That bloody plant of his! Screwing with my emotions like that! I can't believe that I– We– She gagged and swallowed some bile at the intimate memories.
Gah!
She chewed her lip as she tried to forget her and Drew's time together, her path taking her into the heart of Paris.
~o0o~
Shego weaved her way through the nightclub, the thumping bass pounding through her. She kept her hood up and head down, but still found the time to admire all the hot guys as she passed. It was like being in a candy store, not that she had partaken of anything delectable in months. A lot of the girls were quite cute too, but that was not her thing. Still, she appreciated beauty when she saw it.
Haven't been with anyone since I planned the heist…
Which Kimmie ruined!
She shook her head and snarled, her thoughts all over the place since the failed robbery. Since running into Kim. It had never been like this in the past, being off-balance. She did not like the feeling, and it was only going to get worse the longer she stayed out of the game.
I'm not going back to villainy! I like my freedom. She nodded at a discreetly placed bouncer and made a hand signal, receiving a nod in reply. But I'm sooo bored!
She slipped behind a curtain and headed down some steps, across a landing, then down some winding stone stairs, the passageway taking her deeper and deeper into the bowels of the city. Soon the exuberance of the nightclub was left behind with only the sound of dripping water accompanying her footfalls. Eventually the dimly lit corridor stopped at a foreboding metal door, and she thumped on it three times.
A small panel at eye height slid back with a loud clang, though no one could be seen on the other side.
"Mot de passe?" a gruff voice asked from behind the door.
"Chats règle," she replied in perfect French.
Without further ado the panel slammed shut and the door silently swung open, and she passed through a nicely decorated antechamber and then into the expanse beyond.
Nice, she thought, pausing to take everything in.
She stood under an ornate, vaulted ceiling, its decorated panels lit by glittering chandeliers. Supporting the magnificent display were many gilt-encrusted pillars, a deep-red carpet, almost black, covering the floor. The subterranean Mecca was filled with the finest, richest decor and sculptures that money could buy, and bigger than it first appeared, the columns and recessed alcoves giving the room an intimate feel.
A discreet sign above the doorway behind her read: 'Kicks
The name referred to an exclusive chain of clubs, the brainchild of Jack Hench and Señor Senior, Senior. Designed and built just before the Lorwardian invasion, they were a place where supervillains and heroes could escape the pressures of everyday life. Whether you designed death rays or saved kittens from trees, here you could kick back and relax as you socialized in absolute luxury.
The main rule: no fighting. Ever. Or suffer the consequences.
~o0o~
Shego sat at the end of the long bar, wrapped in the low lighting of the club, smooth jazz from the band, and multiple cocktails.
The colorful, fruity drinks did not fit her hard-boiled image, but they were just one of the many dichotomies in her life. She had been a teenager who had stepped up to be an adult after the meteor, a hero and a villain, and then there was helping to take over the world yet rescuing it. And the highlight: needing to defeat Kim, while saving her life on multiple occasions.
She was still angry about the robbery and with Kim, but the alcohol had diffused that bomb for now. Elbow on bar and cheek in hand, she doodled two stick figures on the counter in some of her spilled drink. It was an action shot, Kim in the air and herself below. Neither image looked like their counterpart - sketching like this was never a precise art - but it suited her purpose.
'Shoow youu who's besht,' she slurred, drawing a line from her figure's raised hands to Kim's face. "Zap! Pow! Right in the kisser."
She toasted her work of art then downed the remains of her drink, her teeth flashing as she ate the last piece of pineapple from her swizzle stick.
A raised hand ordered another fruity beverage, then she–
"Well hellooo, beautiful," a man's voice crooned from behind. "Did you just fall from heaven, or do you always look this divine?"
Fuckin, again? The cheesy pickup line not the first since arriving. What is it about guys and wanting to pick up the bad girl? And why can't these– these idiots take a… hint, and leave me in peace? Her foul moods always kept people away, but tonight it seemed to be attracting them.
"Not intereshted," she muttered, not even deigning to look at her 'would be' paramour.
"C'mon gorgeous, don't be like that," the hero continued, leaning against the bar next to her.
"Get losht!"
"Such words from those luscious lips. Let's head back to my place and put them to better use!"
Thaa's IT! she thought, the swizzle stick snapping in her hand.
She rounded on the man and almost fell off her stool, her drinking catching up with her. A reflex grab for the counter kept her upright, barely, and she took in her annoyance. He wore flashy black and yellow spandex, complemented by his perfectly coiffed blond hair and blue eyes, and his cocksure grin only made matters worse. He was the worst sort of sleaze in her mind, the kind that believed he was God's gift to women.
"I said: get - lost!" she growled, her teeth bared as she directed a death glare into him.
She took pride in how she handled the men in her life, and this outcome was particularly good. She watched his smile and his confidence vanish in an instant as he covered his groin, and with terror in his eyes, he practically ran from her side. A glance down showed her hand cocked, fingers curled like blades, a green glow flickering around her nails.
She let out a silent, evil chuckle then blinked, her spidey senses tingling. She looked around seeing nothing, then she heard it.
That's…?
She was up and off her stool in a flash and immediately regretted it, her legs like rubber as the room spun about.
Ohhh crap!
She managed to stay standing as she held onto her seat for dear life, her world an alcohol induced rollercoaster. Closing her eyes only made matters worse. A clink behind her announced the arrival of yet another cocktail, and her glare dared the bartender to comment on her predicament.
There'sh noo way I'm lettin a few drinks gesh tha better of me. The pile of paper umbrellas on the counter called her a liar.
I've gotss this.
She breathed in and out a few times to steady herself, then set off across the club. Using the pillars and patrons to hide her approach, her unsteady steps took her closer and closer to her target.
A steadying hand on a marble statue.
A glance beyond.
YOU!
Even this drunk she recognized that slim outline and vibrant red hair. Knew it better than almost anything else in the world. It was Kim, and she was talking to Sapphic and Vixen, a lesbian couple supervillain team. Kim's back was to her, and whatever they were discussing, she could tell by Kim's body language that she was deeply embarrassed and more. She watched Kim gesture towards the bar where Shego had just vacated then politely excuse herself, her face a blushing red.
Thinking of catshing me off-guard, Kimmie? Too bad, I've gosh the drop on you thish time.
A fight down here between the two of them would be catastrophically dangerous, because of her powers. She did not care. She had survived a meteor, an electrical tower, aliens, and dating Drakken, a collapsing underground club would be a piece of cake compared to those.
Beshides, she shtarted it!
She stumbled away from her cover, a sneer on her lips.
"Posshible!"
She enjoyed the shock on Kim's face that she had been spotted, and noted how Kim's stance changed from relaxed to ready in the blink of an eye. She also saw stress, worry, and a host of other emotions on Kim, but the thought of them was quickly washed away by her anger.
"Shego?" Kim replied.
"Firsht you lie to mee, and now you're breaking the club'sh rules to get to me?"
"Wh-What? No. I didn't even know–"
"Bullshit!" Shego snarled, the room going deathly silent around them. With the rush of adrenalin came her glow, burning away her inebriation. This annoyed her even more. She had worked hard on her buzz and now Kim had ruined even that.
Clear headed she stepped forwards, her hands wreathed in green fire as she waited for the inevitable attack
"Come at me, Princess, and let me wipe that smug look off your face."
"Shego, I'm not here to fight." She raised her hands in a conciliatory gesture. "And the rules!" she hissed, looking around.
"Like you care about rules these days!"
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't know, maybe something like: no missions until you finish your degree. Ring any bells?"
"It's not like that–"
"Then showing up at a certain museum, ratting me out to Global Justice, and then leading them right to me!"
"Hellooo, do you see a squad of agents behind me?"
Umm… what? Shego thought, blinking at the answer. She looked around, registering that Kim actually was alone and dressed in her civvies, no sign of her suit or gadgets. In fact, the baggy grey sweats Kim was wearing were as far be from the pristine blue and white of her battlesuit as they could.
"It's okay, I didn't give away anything to the authorities… about earlier," Kim said, taking a step forwards.
Then why–? How–? She dragged a hand down her face then held it up as Kim took another step closer. "Look… just leave me the hell alone!"
With that, she turned and walked away. No more needing to be said.
~o~
Shego sipped her cocktail, once again ensconced in her seat by the bar. She could feel the atmosphere in the club returning to normal after their almost fight, the band playing something upbeat to relieve the tension in the air. For Shego, however, the music was nowhere near as effective, her thoughts all over the place.
All that running and hiding and making plans because I thought she'd ratted me out. I should have noticed that she didn't give me away at the museum. I'm an idiot! She tilted her head. She's an idiot. Why didn't she inform Global Justice? She'll ruin her chances with them. What kind of hero does that?
She downed the rest of her drink in one go, annoyed at the obvious answer.
Gah! I don't care!
She tossed her paper umbrella onto the counter and ordered another cocktail.
Much catching up to do.
Against her better judgement she glanced along the bar; Kim at the far end by herself, the soda in front of her untouched as she swirled her finger around its rim in thought. Shego grunted then looked away as Kim raised her head, and tried to ignore that piercing, focused gaze. Hunkering forwards she resisted the urge to storm out of the club. It would be too much like running away, and she had already done that once this evening. It was the whole reason she was annoyed and continuing to drink.
Screw the club's rules, I shoulda decked her. She thought on this. Nah, bad idea. She angrily grabbed her latest drink and took a mouthful. Kimmie mightn't have said anything to the authorities, but she still went on a mission. Fucked me right over.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kim stand and head towards her, full of determination.
Dammit, why can't she take a hint?!
She ignored Kim as the space behind her was filled. It was petty, but she felt Kim deserved it. She sensed more than saw a hand reach out for her, but it retreated as she pulled away.
"Hey," Kim said.
"What!?" Shego snapped.
"I'm sorry about the mission."
"Whatever. Now piss off!" Silence followed her comment, but neither did Kim move away. Shego's shoulders tensed as the silence continued, and she felt the urge her to lash out. It was second nature to her.
"What's wrong?" Kim asked, her voice soft and reasonable.
"Don't you fucking dare!" Shego growled as she turned to confront Kim, the glare from her enough to drive anyone away. Kim did not even flinch, she just stood there with worry in her eyes.
"Don't what?"
"Do your worried hero shtick on me!" She clenched a fist. "No. Just go back to your perfect life, Kimmie. I'm fine!"
"You're not, I can see that."
"Don't think you know me, Possible! Now, leave me the hell alone. I've had enough of your shit for one day!"
She grabbed her drink and pointedly pushed past Kim as she moved further down the bar, enjoying the opened mouth expression left in her wake. Sitting down with a huff, she finished her drink then raised a finger for another.
Hero's and their fuckin desire to fix everything!
She twirled the paper umbrella between her fingers then dropped it, starting yet another pile.
"I do know you," Kim said softly, her words carrying to Shego even through the hubbub of the club.
"What did you just say?" Shego said, showering Kim with an icy glare.
"I know you," Kim said, her voice louder.
Enough! Shego thought, smacking her hands on the counter. Before she could enact her vengeance, Kim marched over and sat down next to her. It was Shego's turn to stare in open mouthed surprise. An eyebrow twitched as her visage turned thunderous. Kim was having none of it, leaning forwards.
"C'mon Shego, think about it. Before the Lorwardians, we practically saw each other every other week, sometimes more. I graduated knowing more about you than most of my classmates. Even had a mugshot of you in my locker," she added, proudly. "I know what you like to eat, what you like to read, watch and listen to. What annoys you." She gestured at herself with a wry grin.
Shego grunted, but neither did she try and interrupt.
"And while your time as Ms. Go is a fuzzy memory for you, I have to say, your alter ego was surprisingly chatty. So when a certain someone attempted to steal a useless trinket from a museum earlier this evening, without their catsuit while on an amnesty, then yes, something is definitely wrong."
Kim sat up looking pleased with her herself and looked expectantly at Shego.
What the fuck, Kimmie? The explanation knocking the wind out of her sails.
Everything Kim had said was true. Shego did not have to like it, and she didn't, but there it was. From the lips of the only person on the planet who would speak plainly to her. She could still vividly remember their first encounter, and from there had watched Kim grow and mature into the extraordinary, young woman she now was. And through all their battles she had learned to respect Kim, while inadvertently learning about her life. Yes, their strange rivalry and interactions had nosedived over the whole Eric affair, but that was water under the bridge.
Right. Yes. Okay. She'll have a reason for doing the mission, Shego thought. It was an annoying truth, like an itch she could not scratch, but it would be there. "Look, Kimmie, we haven't spoken in almost a year, and we were never that chatty to begin with. Why should we start now?"
"Because!"
"Because?"
"Because we literally saved the world from an alien invasion! Who else can we to talk to about it? About how it changed our lives. Changed everything!"
That it fuckin' did.
"C'mon, we can turn it into a girls night. It'll be fun."
Shego resisted facepalming at the suggestion, her expression bouncing off Kim's exuberance.
A girls night? What tha hell does that even entail?
She pictured them dancing from nightclub to nightclub, the two of them smiling and chatting the whole night through. She shuddered. Or perhaps they would end up back at her apartment, sitting on the bed and talking about boys, playing truth or dare, and braiding each other's hair while they watched a sappy movie. She cringed inside at her skewed perspective, but with Kim, who knew.
Before she could consider anything, there was the elephant in the room.
"Mission?" Shego growled, her tone brooking no dissent.
"I was bored, but I also really, really needed it," Kim promptly replied.
Tell me about it.
"I never planned for it, 'cause, you know, studying and all, but it came at the right time, the right place. When I needed it. So I said yes." She touched Shego's hand. "Honestly, it was a onetime only thing. No more until I've graduated."
Shego searched Kim's face for any concealment, but there was none. Then again it was Kim, and lying, even by omission, was never her thing. Shego relaxed, tension she did not even know she had flowing from her frame.
Something in her face must have given her away.
"So it's a yes?" Kim asked, excitedly.
Shego raised a palm, holding back a sigh at Kim's eternal, indomitable optimism. It was infuriating. She looked at her drink, then back at Kim, as another option came to mind. One that would be far more fun.
You loved to annoy me with your 'anything's possible for a Possible'. Well, time ta put your money where your mouth is. "I have a better idea," she announced.
"Ooh, what?" Kim replied, scooting closer.
Shego called the barkeep over, and in no time at all two filled-to-the-brim shot glasses were placed on the counter between them. She pushed one closer to Kim.
"Drink!" Shego commanded.
"Oh, I-I can't. I'm only eighteen."
"Kimmie, you're a girl of the world, and you know perfectly well that you're allowed to drink in France. In most countries, in fact. Now, if you wanna do the whole chatting thing." She pointed at the beverage. "Drink!"
She enjoyed the agony of indecision on Kim's face. In another time, another place, she may have felt bad, but after the stress Kim had put her through this evening, she did not care. It also had the high chance of getting Kim to leave her in peace. She rolled her eyes as Kim slumped in her seat, defeated by her principles.
Shego started to turn away, then she was surprised and proud as Kim grabbed her drink and sculled it.
"Ohh!" Kim gasped in a wheezy, breathless voice, eyes wide.
"Still with me?"
"Ye-yeah," she replied, licking her lips.
A night out with Kimmie at a bar? Not how I pictured this day going. She mentally shrugged. There are worse ways to spend the evening. She saluted Kim with her drink then downed it, the alcohol warming it's way down her throat.
She rapped her knuckles on the bar, and soon two more shots were in front of them.
"Sh-Shego?"
"Keep up," she replied, downing hers.
"I'm sure I can't afford this. I'm a college student."
"My treat."
"I can't allow you–"
"Drink or leave. Your choice."
Again she enjoyed the indecision on Kim's face, and had a front row seat as Kim pursed her lips before finally accepting her fate. As Kim reached for her drink, two more shots arrived, and she looked at Shego in disbelief.
"Not my fault if you can't keep up," Shego said with a smirk
It was the perfect line in their eternal rivalry, and they both knew it. Shego finished her drink then held up two fingers, stating how much she was in front or how far Kim was behind. Either way, she was winning.
~o0o~
Shego happily accepted that Kim was right, she was having fun. Kim was surprisingly easy to talk too, and they did have so much in common. Forget their battles and the Lorwardian Invasion, there was so much more that they shared. One thing right off the bat was their tolerance to alcohol. A dozen shots down and a few cocktails in and Kim was still - metaphorically - standing. Shego had expected her to be a lightweight, but Kim was matching her drink for drink; all the while that competitive flare in her eyes.
Live and learn, Shego thought, raising her hand for the bartender.
"Whaaat now?" Kim asked as she slowly blinked at her flexing hand.
"Sex on the beach!" Shego announced with enthusiasm.
"Oh? Um, you're gorgeous and all, but I- I couldn't– I'm not– I'm… with Ron."
Really, Kimmie? Your mind went there? She stared at her until Kim looked away, the moment almost too precious. I keep forgetting how much younger than me she is. How easy she is to tease about certain things. She ordered two more drinks then turned to Kim, who had not said a word since her faux pas. Time to have some fun.She removed her hoodie, her tight top underneath showing off her assets to good effect. She leaned forwards, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Tell me, Kimmie, what did Saph and Vixy want?"
"Saph and Vixy?" Kim said, her gaze focused firmly on her empty glass.
"The dynamic duo of Team Succubus." She rolled her eyes as Kim glanced at her blankly. "The two women you were talking to when I found you."
"That was them? They're so– so–"
"Different without the tight, revealing spandex and makeup?"
"Ye-Yeah."
"Annnd…?"
"Oh, um, they were… ah… inviting me back to… their place…" Kim replied, her cheeks darkening even more.
Ohh, Kimmie, you would've been in so much trouble if you liked girls. Then again, Saph and Vixy are scarily good at persuading the unpersuadable. "Tell me, were you… tempted?" she asked, throwing in a wink.
"Oh no! No, no, no!" Kim replied, her hands up in denial.
Too cute. "Methinks thou doth protest too much?"
"I– We– It–" Kim spluttered as she tried to put a sentence together in her defense.
I should have used this tactic years ago. Why throw a punch when I could've embarrassed her into letting me win.
She wondered what else to tease Kim with, but was forestalled as their latest round of drinks arrived. Distracted by her colorfully decorated cocktail, she looked back up to see Kim making her escape to the restroom. She snorted in amusement but let her go without comment, the night still young.
I'll have to remember all this for our next night out. She thought on that. Yup, definitely gonna be a next time. This is waaay too much fun.
Sex as weapon was nothing new to Shego, though she had never employed such a tactic on Kim. She had always considered her too young in most of their encounters, and had worked out pretty quick that Kim was straight as a ruler. Add in a few drinks though and Kim's iron resolve just seemed to crumbled.
~o~
Shego sipped her drink slowly, one eye on the bar where she and Kim had been sitting. The large, circular booth she was now ensconced in was far comfier than the cushioned stools they had been using, and she was stretched out lengthwise on the plush seating. Eventually she spotted Kim returning from the restroom, and a wolf whistle and a beckoning hand had Kim altering course and heading her way.
Shego levered herself up, elbow on table and chin in hand and watched Kim. In all their years she had never really taken the time to just look at her, and she found herself scrutinizing the girl; No, young woman, as Kim made a beeline towards her.
Kim was less tanned than back in high school yet as fit as always, and in far better shape than she had ever been. She moved with a familiar grace and poise, her gait smooth and predator like … a force of nature waiting to be unleashed; marred slightly by the occasional drunken wobble. Kim flashed her a smile as she brushed a stray lock from her face, those delicate hands able to break bone when so focused. Yet she was not the same girl that had left for college, the one with her life already planned out. There was something different behind those eyes. She had noticed it earlier in the evening, and for the life of her she could not remember what she had seen.
"Cozy," Kim said as she slumped into the booth, then sliding around 'til she was close to Shego.
To tease or not to tease, that is the dilemma, Shego thought. Oh, who am I kidding? Course I will. She leaned against Kim. "It's okay if you want to hook up with Saph and Vixy." She threw an arm around Kim. "What happens in Paris, stays in Paris, right?"
"Sh-Shego," Kim squeaked, dropping her voice, "I am not having a threesome with two strangers!"
Two strangers? Not a straight up no? Rockin' the Freudian there, Kimmie. "Live a little, Pumpkin. Enjoy yourself and everything life has to offer.
Kim's response was to poke out her tongue and gently push Shego away.
She's in college, and should experiment a little. God knows, nobody wanted to with the green skinned freak while I was there. "Aww, don't be like that, Cupcake. You wouldn't be the first teen hero to flirt with the other side." She loved how Kim's face scrunched up in concentration as she tried to decipher the double, triple, or possibly no meaning at all in that statement.
"Are you– Do you, um… like girls?" Kim asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.
She knows me better than that. If she was sober, she'd see it was a stupid question. Still, let's have some fun… "Kimmie, look at me. I'm smokin hot and ready to rock, whataya think?"
"Oh…"
"And hey, there's absolutely nothing... wrong... with enjoying the touch of a stranger." She reached out and laid her hand on Kim's, then looked past her. Kim naturally followed her gaze. Sitting in a booth not too far away were Sapphic and Vixen, Shego's suggestion loud and clear.
Kim whipped her hand back as if she had been burned then grabbed a menu, staring at it intently. Shego chuckled, then raised an eyebrow as Kim gasped.
"Do you know how much they charge for a cheeseburger and fries here?" Kim exclaimed.
"As I said, I'm paying. Just pretend I'm taking you out for dinner."
"Like a– a date?"
Shego caught the sideways glance and the subtle, almost hidden quaver in Kim's voice. There was a brittleness behind those eyes that had never been there before, and looking back, Kim's smiles far too quick to disappear. Something was up, and it was big. It had nothing to do with girls, she knew that. That avenue was just an outlet for whatever was really bothering her.
Do I care? Nah, I don't.
She tried to put it out of her mind…
Dammit! This is gonna bug me. She drummed her fingers on her leg. Can't come at her head on, she's stubborn like me. So, let's break it down. She went on a mission when she shouldn't have: check. Didn't give me away to the authorities: check. Came to a freakin' bar: check. To drink alone… That last word bothered her. Alone… She blinked and looked at Kim, seeing the answer in those eyes.
"Kimmie, where's Ron?"
"He, ah… he couldn't make it."
Bingo!
Shego sat back. Kim sat back as well, crossing her legs under her and moving her hands onto her lap. She suddenly looked so small and vulnerable. Shego hated it, this was not her Kim. She may rail about, yell at, and even attack her brothers, but deep down she cared about them. They were family. Kim had become a part of that family in a strange kind of way, their intense rivalry over the years creating a bond between them. Shego did not know how to classify their interactions these days, but when push came to shove she protected her own.
I don't give a flying fuck that he's her boyfriend, I'll knock him into next week if he's hurt her!
Shego wore her heart on her sleeve, her explosive temper ready to go at a moment's notice. This time was no different. Kim was quicker, grabbing Shego's wrists before anything dramatic could happen. Shego's nostrils flared but she didn't lash out, her drink safely removed from her tightening grasp.
"Shego, it's not what you think," Kim said as she held onto Shego's hands, looking at her in worry.
"Like hell it's not."
"It's not Ron, it's me," she said softly, dropping her head.
"Explain!" Shego demanded, wrenching her hands free and stabbing a finger onto the table. " 'Cause whatever it is, I'm sure it ain't you."
"It is. It's–" She looked so lost, hands twisting in her lap. "I haven't told anyone this, not even my parents. Ron, he's… ah, given up on the world saving, for good. And he's dropping out of university. He wants us to move to Japan. Japan! So he can open a Japanese/Mexican fusion restaurant." She sighed in clear frustration. "We'd always talked about continuing our crime fighting after uni, then signing up with Global Justice. Now, none of that is going to happen. I'm trying to see it from his point of view, be as supportive as I can, but I know he's making a huge mistake. Throwing so much away."
No shit, Sherlock! He's throwing 'you' away! The dumbass!
Shego was hardly surprised that Kim was unhappy with someone of Ron's caliber, it was a no-brainer. No one had any idea why they were together. She had watched Kim mature into the intelligent, young woman she now was. While Ron, well, he almost seemed to have regressed by the time the two of them graduated from high school.
"Kimmie… he's an–"
"There's more," Kim said, cutting Shego off. "Monique let it slip that he's going to ask me to marry him, that he wants to start a family. I'm not ready for that. I have so much more I want to do in life."
Shego rested a sympathetic hand on Kim's arm, and Kim grabbed it. Holding on tight as she continued.
"And the worst– the worst part for me is… we've drifted apart. He doesn't see it, but I do. He's just as happy with his video games, food, and frat parties as he is with me. I-I've tried to spice things up between us." She glanced up for a brief second, cheeks red. "But it feels like we've lost what we once had."
Crap! Shego thought, wanting to say something but out of her depth. Relationships, it's why I don't do them.
"When Wade sent the mission my way, I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to recapture our magic. You know, Paris, city of love? I'd handle the mission, and then we could do romantic stuff for the rest of the weekend… Ron was supposed to meet me at the airport. He never showed. Apparently, he forgot. That there was a rockin' party to crash." She sucked in a shuddering breath. "So I came on my own."
Yeah, I'mma gonna smack him! He's just too stupid to know what he's got!
"I feel so lost, and I don't know what to do. Do I agree and move to Japan, leaving everyone and everything behind? Do we marry and have kids? I have my own hopes and dreams, but I feel like I may lose him if I don't say 'yes'."
Screw him, Kimmie! Dump the sonofabitch!
"So here I am, sitting in a bar with you, and all I can think to say is: boys suck!"
"No Kimmie, that's what we girls do."
Kim's dry chuckle turned into a stuttered laugh … tears welling up in her eyes. She tried to hold it in then turned and held onto Shego as she cried out all the worry and stress she had been holding onto.
"That's enough drinking for tonight," Shego said as she patted Kim's back. "Let's get some coffee into you."
~o~
Shego arrived back from her restroom visit to find Kim's coffee sitting untouched on the table and Kim lying down in their booth singing softly to herself. Kim's rendition of Britina's latest pop song was pitch perfect and only ruined by her occasional sniffle. Kim stopped upon noticing Shego and rolled onto her side, an expression of melancholy on her face.
"Know what–?" Kim said as she rested her head in her hand. "Know what the first thing I ever noticed about you is?" She did not wait for a reply. "It was your eyes. Sooo… beautifully, unbelievably green. Hypnotic."
It was said with simple, drunken honesty, the effect on Shego dramatic. She blushed a deep green, a new sensation for her, yet it went unseen as Kim lay back down. Shego rallied magnificently and took her seat, scooting around, then almost yelped in surprise as Kim shuffled closer and dropped her head on her lap.
Glaring at Kim did nothing, all she got was a victorious smile in reply.
"I'm so happy we got together," Kim said. "I really needed to, you know, vent and stuff. To get all that off my chest."
"Then why are you on my lap?!"
" 'Cause you got me drunk." She brought a finger to her lips. "Shh, don't tell anyone." She giggled and snuggled closer. "And you're comfy."
Shego sat there stiff backed and unsure where to put her hands. It was the warmth from Kim seeping up her legs that was throwing her off. It was nice. If it was a guy she would know what to do. Either seduce them or throw them through a wall. Neither option available to her. She settled on crossing her arms across her chest, a frown directed at the girl on her lap.
If you were anyone else, Cupcake!
She tilted her head. From this angle she could see that Kim's sweatpants were loose about her hips while her shirt had ridden up to reveal her belly. She gently poked Kim in the stomach, receiving a muted complaint in response.
"When did you last eat?" Shego asked.
"America." There was a disapproving silence from above. "What? I was stressing!"
"Well, you need fattening up."
"For the slaughter?"
~o~
Shego stood up from their booth and looked down at her partner in crime. Together she and Kim had devoured their way through a slew of exotic dishes, the two of them hungrier than they initially realized. Yes, it had all cost a small fortune, the prices at 'Kicks astronomically expensive. However, the comfort of a good meal could not to be ignored.
I really don't want to leave, but she definitely needs some sleep. So, I guess, all good things must come to an end. And she meant it. She had not had this much fun in years. Could've done without the relationship drama, but at least I've set her on the right path.
"Please, no more," Kim said, her eyes closed and belly full. "I don't think I could eat another bite."
Defeated by a soufflé? I really shoulda used these tactics back in the day. She grabbed her hoodie and eyed the exit. "Actually Kimmie, I'm heading home." Kim's eyes snapped open. "Since I'm not a wanted woman and all."
"What?! Already?"
"Kimmie, the sun will be up in a few hours. We've been chatting almost the whole night through."
"Oh…" Kim replied, looking around, no clocks or windows to show the time.
"Now, I've booked you a room here at 'Kicks for the night. No, don't even argue." She gave Kim her best school mistress stare. "I know the sorta places you stay at for your missions, and here is a thousand times better. A million."
"Alright, alright, you win," Kim huffed. "I'll stay the night."
I win? I so love the sound of that. She cupped a hand to her ear. "Say 'I win' again, I'll never tire of hearing it." She grinned as Kim poked out her tongue. "So, since I win, you have a good night's sleep, and head home whenever you want."
"But I'll, um, see you again soon?" Kim asked, her tone hopeful.
"If–" She raised a stern finger. "If you do what you said you'd do!"
"That I talk to my parents, about everything? Before doing anything rash?"
"Yes. Good girl."
"You know you're not much older than me?"
"Says the one who fell asleep on my lap."
Kim had the decency to blush, though she did look pleased with herself. Shego sighed and did not bother to respond, it had been one of those nights. She slipped her hoodie on then checked for her keys, wallet and phone, and with everything in order she held out a hand.
"Phone," she said, gesturing with her fingers. She took the proffered device, tapped away on it, then passed it back. "There, I've put in my private number. So call me whenever you need too."
"Spankin'," Kim replied, her face brightening.
~o0o~
'Kicks is short for Sidekicks
i was going to hold off posting until I had written more, but it's been so long that I just caved in the end. I'm mostly using this story to get myself back into writing. Iron out the kinks, you could say.
Enjoy.