Tearing the world down: Chapter One
Series: Kim Possible
Pairing KiGo
Warning, contains lesbian romance. Don't like, don't read.
Kim Possible, Shego and all characters are the property of the original creators, not me.
Shego waited for the kettle to boil, whistling softly to herself. She couldn't help feeling pretty happy this morning, her mood as bright as the morning sunshine washing over her and bathing her in its warmth.
She had never expected that spending anytime with her mother would leave her feeling this way. Not that she hadn't been sad about leaving and coming back to reality. She had. It had just been tempered with the thought of what she had gained. Or regained. Okay, she still felt like she was walking on eggshells around her mother. But maybe that feeling was more than a little warranted. She doesn't want to do anything to screw this up, not when she had just managed to reconnect with her again. It still eats at her that it was her fault. As much as she might like to think otherwise, she can't avoid that. It had never taken much to get her riled up with her mother, pretty much anything she did pushing her buttons. Or maybe she was the one that allowed her buttons to be pushed. Which might be why Shego is so afraid of that anger coming back. It had been such a big part of her for so long, she almost misses it. It just sits there like a little hole in her heart, a wound maybe. One she is scared of opening again.
'You're overthinking this.' Shego chided herself sharply. 'Just let it go.' Shego pauses, letting out a deep sigh. She needs to take her advice. A lot has changed with her, so it's not so surprising that she has changed too. Like her feelings about her mother. Who would have imagined she would be able to think about her mother without any ill feelings at all, even with feelings approaching love.
That isn't all she is feeling though. It had come of a surprise that Shego had missed the base, the whole place just starting to feel like home for her. She had certainly been glad to get back. And get back to work. At least then she will have something else to focus on other her worries. Kim hadn't said as much but she had a feeling she was feeling the same.
Shego starts as she realised the kettle had boiled and laughed. She was getting distracted. 'What's the good of a surprise cup of coffee if you forget to make it.' Kim wouldn't thank her for that. And thank is what Shego wanted to convey, wanting nothing more than to spend this last morning before they returned to duty with her girlfriend, giving her the chance to sleep in.
Only she wasn't. Kim was lying propped up on one arm as Shego entered, stifling a yawn with the other. Even with her eyes still bleary from sleep, she gave Shego a smile that warmed her right down to her toes.
'You didn't have to do that.' Kim murred as Shego slipped back into bed, gratefully taking the cup of coffee. 'You've been doing so much for your mother these past few days.'
'And maybe I wanted to do something special for you.' Shego shrugged. If she is being honest, she had been worried that Kim might think she had been ignoring her. She hadn't said anything, but that worry had remained.
'Well, it's very sweet.' Kim smiled, taking a slow sip.
'I know that's the way you like it.' Shego quipped, her own cup of coffee forgotten as her hand slipped around the back of Kim's head, her lips descending to hers. The slow kiss had just started to grow into something more when a familiar tune drew them both out of it.
'You..put that on your phone?' Shego grinned, recognising the tone that Kim used on her Kimmunicator.
'Well...I kinda missed it.' Kim smiled, taking another quick kiss before she flipped open her smart phone, her eyes now fixed on the screen.
Shego lapsed into silence, savouring her first real sip of the coffee, letting the warm liquid build open the feeling the kiss with Kim had started. Kim had gotten one of those news apps on her phone recently. And it didn't take much of a guess to work out why. Once she had gotten news and info from all around the world. And while she could get the same info from Global Justice intelligence, it wasn't the same. Just like it wasn't so much of a stretch to work out that she missed rushing around the world anytime she got a call for help. Yes, she is doing the same thing with Global Justice. Yet Shego is sure Kim still feels a bit cut off from her old life. Ironic that she had been running to avoid hers, while Kim had been forced to leave hers behind. But Kim seemed to be taking it well. She certainly hadn't mentioned it since. Shego makes a mental note to ask her about that sometime. Just not now. She doesn't want to ruin Kim's good mood. Especially as she seemed more engrossed in the morning news than any bit of her past she might be missing.
'So..anything interesting going on this morning?' Shego smiled. She preferred to get her news through Kim rather than the TV or newspapers. Most of it was depressing anyway, either celebrity stuff she didn't care about or global news that came too close to her job anyway. That didn't stop her making a quip about it anyway. 'Or is the world just getting closer to falling apart?' She can't deny that is mostly what she sees in the news recently, pretty much disasters and conflicts around the world. Not all of it, but enough of it too make Shego pay attention.
Kim seems to have had her attention grabbed by something else though. 'Well, Jasun Park is holding a slot at the World Technology Expo tomorrow.' Kim said, obviously not rising to her bait. That doesn't stop her mouth twitching into a quick smile though.
'Who?' That was the question on Shego's lips, not what. The expo had been high on the agenda for all of Global Justice for the last few months. With GJ being affiliated with a dozen of the companies hosting slots, it was only natural they would be organising extra security. A duty that had fallen to Team Possible. The name Kim mentioned however, wasn't one she recognised. And she knew she had the list of those that would be hosting events and displays at the expo, most of them wealthy and powerful businessmen and woman.
'Jasun Park. Upcoming technology guru?' Kim said, proving Shego's guess. 'He's a pioneer in more fields than I can count. From biotech to military contracts. And..he's an old friend.'
That caught Shego's attention. It's not surprising maybe. She has lost track of the number of people she knows around the world. So she knows one that is a public figure. Maybe not so surprising, but it is uncommon enough to be interesting. Since most of the contacts she knows are pretty much just average people. Or that had been the impression she got, never having met any of them. Something that might be about to change if this guy really is going to be at the expo.
'So..what does this guy owe you a favour for? He must have been a baby at the time, whatever it was.' Shego chuckled. She had caught a glimpse of his picture on the small screen and couldn't help being surprised. He looked about 20, a fresh faced young man that looked like he would be more at home taking his exams or thinking about college, not running his own company. If that is what he does. Reading between the lines, Shego certainly could make that leap.
'Hmmm? Oh, no. It was his father that I helped. He had a little..accident with a UAV he was working on. During the first test, the flight controls malfunctioned. Luckily I was able to get to it and rig a remote control unit so it could be landed safely. Otherwise, millions of dollars of development would have been lost.' Kim shrugged, like it was nothing. And it could be to her, she has most likely done things like this more times than she could count. And compared with throwing down with one of her major foes, it probably doesn't rate very highly. She seemed to thrive on that. And attitude Shego still didn't completely understand. It's much more satisfying to do something challenging..isn't it?
'And now, this guy has a slot at the expo.' Shego nodded thoughtfully. 'So, he went into the same business as his father. He kept that pretty close to his chest.' Despite herself, Shego can't help being impressed. Grudgingly, anyway. For someone his age to create his own company at his age must take a lot of drive and focus. And money too. So this guy must be loaded, Shego muses, eyeing his picture again.
'Did you know this guy back then?' Shego asked casually.
'We met.' Kim laughed softly. 'His father had no idea, but he tried to tweak the controls of the drone the night before the accident. He thought he could improve the stability. I found out when I brought it back, that those modifications had created a short in the guidance system. He promised me not to tell. And I wanted to help him out. He kinda reminded me of my brothers, you know?'
'Well..I guess I'll be finding out.' Shego shrugged. 'If he really is coming along, I figure well run into each other.' The professional agent in her wants to meet him, possibly more than the curious side of her. It's true, she is suspicious. And suddenly this is very important to her. This Jasun is an unknown factor, something she has never liked. He might be the nicest guy in the world, but until she meets him, she will hold off on any opinions.
'We have already identified several sites that Dr Hadeth and his team think could be, as they put it, scientifically significant. To be honest, I am not exactly sure what that means. But they seemed very excited about what they found. Luckily, none of those sites seem to be anywhere near the rebel staging posts as we have identified them.' Will Du said shortly, not really seeming put out by the attention being focused on him.
Shego kept her face blank with an effort, not breaking her gaze from him. It was hard though. She had never really gotten on with him. And she had an inkling the feeling was mutual. And if she is honest, she had hoped he would still be out field. But apparently his mission had been held back by the need for additional reconnaissance. Which doesn't have her thrilled. It doesn't help that he reminds her a lot of Hego, both of them having the same stuck up attitude that always got her riled up. She had lost track of the number of times she wanted to give her brother a smack around the head. And something about Will Du just pushes her buttons in the same way. Luckily, they didn't have that much interaction with each other, so things hadn't come to a head. Yet.
It's not just Will Du that is bothering her though. Shego isn't one for meetings and this one is no exception, especially with this one being a meeting of the bases team leaders. She was still learning their names, but one thing she had learned very early on. Not many of them trusted her. That didn't bother her though, Shego silently ignoring the suspicious glances that are being shot her way. They all say the same thing; that she isn't welcome here. She knows what they think about her, all of them judging her on her past. Not what she is doing now.
Well, that isn't a new attitude to her, one that Shego shrugs off easily enough. It's not like she even cares what they think. Besides Kim, the only other person in this room whose opinion matters to her is Dr Director. It's is her keeping them in line. If she wasn't here, well, she might be getting more than stares. That doesn't bother Shego either, she is almost spoiling for a fight. But won't give them the satisfaction.
'And you've done aerial surveillance of those areas?' Dr Director at least has her mind on the task at hand. Then again, it is her job to oversee the different operations all the teams are undertaking. A job Shego doesn't envy at all. She has no desire to be drowning in reports and bureaucracy. It almost makes her wonder if she misses being a field agent.
'Affirmative. I have tasked LOWORB 1 to maintain position over the region, she is relaying up to the minute intelligence to us. If anything changes we will know about it.' Will Du said.
'Very well. We will keep an assault team on standby should you require extraction. Now, we should move the our main agenda. The Modern World Technology expo.' Dr Director said.
Shego sat up a little straighter in her seat, this was what she was really interested in. Team Possible had been put in charge of security for the expo..well, most of it. A good number of the companies involved have ties to Global Justice, so it had fallen to them to provide close protection for both them and site of the expo itself. Which had proved to be challenging, frustrating and complex all at the same time. And it seemed today was going to be no different.
'I'm afraid I have some more bad news. One of the media companies contracted to cover the event has pulled out.' She waves her hand to forestall the comment she must have seen growing on Shego's face. That doesn't stop her speaking her mind anyway.
'So, we have to start over. From scratch.' Shego released a deep breath. 'For months, we've been running background checks, putting together an approved personnel list, spending countless hours inspecting the kit they have brought in..and now, all that is just gone.'
Dr Director sighed, maybe the only sign of her frustration she can show. 'I don't like it any more than you do. But we have to do what we can. To start with, that means setting some new ground rules. We have no way to vet and inspect all the equipment and personnel they want to bring in, so we aren't going to try. If they want this media coverage, they have to use one of the media outlets we've already vetted. It's as simple as that. If not, well, that's their issue. Not ours.'
Dr Director paused to let that sink it. 'We are just going to have to work with what we have. Global Justice has invested a lot of money into this event and we need to see that it goes without a hitch. How are things proceeding on that front?'
'No problems so far.' Kim replied. 'Apart from the media issue, we just have to do one last site check and we should be good to go.'
'Well, looks like everything is much the same as it was yesterday.' Shego said. They had done this same check every day for the past week, and it was really second nature to them. But Shego tried to see it a fresh every day. It still is odd to her, almost doing the opposite of what she is used to doing. The irony of helping to protect a building from intrusion, rather than being the intruder is not lost on her. But it does give her a unique perspective on it.
'Yeah. We have more than enough guards downstairs. It would certainly be very difficult for anyone to gain access without being detected.' Kim leads her into the security centre, the close darkened room built around a central console of monitors, the security feeds showing images from around the expo centre; the soft light illuminating the faces of the security staff manning those screens.
Kim and Shego get polite nods from the security as she stows her key card back into her pocket, the lock clicking behind them. This had always been the last stop in their sweep of the centre and they had gotten very familiar with the security staff during their time. Not surprising, since they had been working so closely.
'Back again, huh? You guys are nothing if not predictable.'
Shego smiles, eyeing the blonde woman sitting facing the security monitors, her head twisted to look around at them. 'I'd like to say thorough. Looks like they have you burning the midnight oil.'
'Yeah.' Monica twists her head to loosen a stiff muscle, Shego almost hearing her wince. 'We've all been working overtime to get things ready for the Park event. I hate last minute changes.'
'You and me both. Looks like you have everything under control here though.' Shego eyed the monitor screen that had been blank yesterday; the camera obviously having been installed after they left yesterday. 'You've got the security feed up and running.'
'That's the closest we've been able to get. So far, they haven't let anyone take a look inside.' Monica grimaced, showing she didn't think much more of that than Shego did. 'Mr Park has been pretty adamant about that.'
'Really?' Shego asked dryly. Her suspicious side instantly raised its head. It might be an overreaction but she has learned to trust her instinct. And there is nothing to be gained by ignoring it. 'Then I guess we'd better go ask a little more emphatically.'
Asking emphatically didn't seem to be helping. Not with the stony faced guard that Kim is squaring off against. She would likely have more luck trying to knock him out. But not much. Shego is more than willing to let her try, right now she is distracted. And that isn't normal. But she has seen this guy somewhere before. Or thinks she has. She just can't work it out. It's a feeling, nothing more. But she can't deny it's there.
'Now, what part of this don't you understand?' the guard asked, the hard edge in his voice unmistakable. 'No one is allowed inside until the expo starts. No exceptions.'
Shego is thinking about stepping in, but decided to hang back with Molly and Drake, as well as the small team of agents that will be helping with the sweep. They do have the man power. If they wanted to, they really couldn't be kept out. And she would do that if she had too, no matter the scene it might cause. Right now, she is happy to let Kim take the lead. She can't help being a little distracted; something about this guard seem familiar to her.
'I understand just fine.' Kim said. It isn't hard for Shego to see she is holding back her frustration, the tension filling her body is obvious to her, certainly isn't easy to miss. 'It's you who aren't understanding me. I understand you have your orders. But so do we. Security at this expo is our responsibility. Every event gets checked over. So maybe you would like to explain why you feel you are above this.'
The short smirk that flashes over his face gets Shego's temper up quickly, but she clamps down on it. Kim knows what she is doing and she won't step on her toes. 'Like you said, I have my orders. No one comes in without Mr Parks authorisation.'
'Then I'll just have to give them authorisation won't I?'
It was hard to tell who turned faster, but Shego felt it was her. She also felt surprised she hasn't heard anyone approaching behind her. Then again, maybe not. The man behind her dressed in a snappy suit that looks very expensive and tailored, has a slender build. Not thin, but willowy in a way. She instantly recognises him from the news report she had seen earlier, even if he looks a little older in person.
'I'm sorry for the interruption, Mr Parks.' Kim said diplomatically. But we really do need to see inside. For security. I'm sure you understand.'
'I do, Ms Possible. I'm sorry I wasn't able to come and talk to you sooner. My morning has been very hectic. Normally, I like doing things last minute, but this is pushing it even for me.'
'It's alright. I...how do you know my name?' Kim asked hesitantly.
'It's hard to forget the girl who saved my father's company.' Park smiled, one that seemed genuine enough. 'Without you, it's very likely I wouldn't be here to take part in this expo. So, please, follow me and I'll show you around.'
'Well, he's a real charmer.' Drake mutters as he leads Kim inside, the rest of them forgotten. Or at least ignored. He seems as impressed by this guy as Shego does, making so real secret of how he feels.
'He's full of himself alright.' Shego muttered, distracted again. Had he been like this when Kim had known him? Kids can change of course. Heaven knows she knows about that. But this wasn't the image she had had of him in her head. She had been imagining someone more...nerdy. Like Kim's brothers. He more looks like a movie star or something.
Shego grimaces, feeling a knot of something in her chest. She never feels jealous, has never felt threatened at all by anyone showing interest in Kim. So why does she now? Is it because they knew each other in the past? A bit close to Ron perhaps? She tries to shake these doubts, but they cling on to her anyway.
Something about the way he stands close, that close to Kim distracts her for a second. It's not that she doesn't trust Kim, it's him. Of course, it might be nothing, he can't know she and Shego are together. It's just as likely to be her mind playing tricks on her.
'Shego? Shego!' Kim's soft question brings her back, turning to Kim, hoping she hadn't been caught zoning out. Something she tries very much to hide.
'Do you want to do a sweep in here while Jasun shows me the security he has set up?' Kim asked.
Not really. Those words leap instantly into Shego's head and she stamps down on them just as quickly. She can't go around acting the jealous lover any time anyone shows even the slightest interest in Kim. So she shrugs casually. 'Sure. Molly, Drake and I can handle things here.'
'I just hope Kim can handle him.' Drake muttered as she walked away. So, he had noticed. Shego is touched that he seems to care for Kim, even if his words have compounded her fears.
'She'll be fine. She can take bigger guys than him.' Shego replied. Her words sounded good, but she isn't sure if they are for Drake or her.
'You've really been busy.' Kim whistles, casting her eye over the heavy sheets that cover the various displays that fill the room. She can see at least a dozen as she walks along, the low lighting is doing its bit to hide any clues as to what is in here.
'With this event? Or my company?' Jasun said smoothly, his tone maybe boasting a little pride.
'Your company?' Kim digests that, letting that information settle into her brain. 'I thought you were just helping your father out by hosting this event.'
His modest tone might have been subtle, but the pain that crosses his face certainly isn't. 'My father...died a couple of years ago. As his son, I had the controlling shares after he died, so the chairmanship passed to me.'
'I'm sorry. I had no idea.' Kim said. No reason why she should. They had only met once and it wasn't like she'd stayed in contact or anything. It just felt like the right thing to say. What else do you say at a moment like this. For a second, she finds herself lost for words. 'I know I only met him once, but he was a very nice man. What happened?'
'It was a lab accident. He was working on the next prototype for the drone you helped to save. We still don't know exactly what happened, but the drone exploded while he was making some adjustments. He died instantly.' Jasun sighed, the pain in his voice now very pronounced. 'I wish I knew what happened. I've gone over the designs myself a dozen times. And I can see no flaw with his design. This shouldn't have happened.'
'You can't blame yourself.' Kim rested a hand on his shoulder gently.
'I don't.' Jasun sighed. 'It just..not knowing what went wrong..it eats at me. I don't know if I could have seen something he didn't..or if he knew something and ignored it.'
'Do you believe that?' Kim asked.
'That he made a mistake?' Jasun shrugged. 'I don't know. All of us are human, so it's possible he did. I know he wouldn't want that to stop the project he worked on for so long.'
'You are still working on the drone?' Kim said, taking a guess that he wouldn't let it go. It was just a hunch but she is pretty sure she is right.
'It's the showcase piece of my display. Lots of government agencies and departments are interested in its applications. Not yours though.' Jasun smiled knowingly.
That catches Kim by surprise, but she hides it. 'Well, our budgets are pretty tight right now.' Kim said casually. 'But I'm not really involved with the surveillance division I'm afraid.'
'I wouldn't have thought so. But I have to say, I was surprised to hear that you were the agent assigned here by Global Justice.' Jasun said.
'I know..it's not really the career choice I would have thought I would have taken a few years ago.' Kim replied.
'On the contrary, it's exactly what I thought you would do.' Jasun smiled. 'I couldn't see you going the homeland security route. You always had a broader view than that.'
'I can't believe you remember so much about me.' Kim hoped she wasn't blushing, she could feel warmth in her cheeks. And she really, really hopes he can't see it. She is already mortified enough.
'You made an impression.' Jasun laughed. 'Not just with me, so I've heard. It's very impressive, what you have achieved.'
'Look who's talking.' Kim grinned. 'But we really should get a look at your security. Wouldn't want anything to close your event down, now would we.'
'Oh, with you here I'm sure nothing can go wrong.' Jasun said with a slow smile.
Nothing had gone wrong yet. That thought had been trickling through Shego's head, the green skinned woman standing unobtrusively off to the side of the podium. Or trying too. She didn't have to look far to find the cause of her discomfort, eyeing the cameras and news crews gathered around Jasun, seeming a lot more comfortable in the limelight than she would be.
The reason for her discomfort is harder to identify. Possibly just old prejudices surfacing, as a criminal she had made an effort to avoid the media and any attention from them. Yet right now, she couldn't avoid it. That had been the way it had been agreed the expo would start, with the media being given limited access before the doors opened to the public.
Shego shrugged, she wouldn't have let them in herself. But the organisers are getting a lot of money from the advertising and the good publicity couldn't hurt. As long as she doesn't have to deal with any of them, she is happy enough. Although, she had already come closer to that than she liked. Trust there to be one overachiever in every crowd. While most of the journalists and reporters had been more interested in the displays and innovations around them, one had been sniffing around for details on the security.
Maybe just looking for a different angle, or a junior reporter looking for a scoop. Shego couldn't tell, but he had set alarm bells ringing in her head, even if very quietly. Luckily, they had been given strict 'no comment' instructions and Shego was grateful to have it to fall back on. It certainly was better than her idea to put him through a wall. Just not as satisfying. At least, he had quickly taken the message and sloped off, re-joining the crowd as Jasun had gotten ready to give his speech.
'Well, he knows how to work a crowd. I'll give him that.' Shego said, taking a glance at Kim as she walks up beside her. Not that she hadn't known where she was. Even as she focused on the speech, she had been aware of the locations of the rest of her team and the small scattering of onsite security officers around her, watching their backs as they watched hers. And watching for threats of course. 'Certainly doesn't look like the dorky kid you described.'
'No.' Kim agrees. 'I guess having to step into his father's shoes must have had a strong impact on him.'
And his death. Shego heard the unspoken words at the end of her sentence. That would have an effect on anyone, the loss of a parent one of the worse things she could imagine. Well, maybe not her father. That just makes it more painful really. A young man lost his father, a parent he clearly cared about, while hers was still alive. Odd that she would give anything to be able to swap her fate with his. It is the closest she has come to pity in years for anyone outside the limited circle of people she cared about. Shego works to clamp down on that. She can't afford to expand her focus; she has to watch out for Kim first. Anyone else has to be a secondary concern to her. Except for the rest of their team of course, somehow they had slipped inside her umbrella without her notice.
'Let's just hope his designs are good. And that he has gotten better with tinkering with things. It would be pretty bad if that drone of his kicked off in here.' Shego grins, only partly joking. The idea really doesn't bear thinking about. 'Then again, you stopped it before. So I guess you have it covered.'
'Better me than you.' Kim chuckled, hiding her mouth behind her hand. 'I don't think Jasun would be too pleased if you blasted it.'
'Better than it ploughing into the crowd.' Shego retorted with a playful scowl. 'That's publicity he doesn't want. Not if the people he says are interested in it really are. Not that I can see why this fancy plane kit is any better than drones currently in use.'
'It's the power source.' Kim explains. 'Not just the flight time, but the capability for carrying extra equipment. Because it is so small and light, a lot more payload can be equipped. From what I've seen, it's a very versatile platform.'
'Explains all the security.' Shego nodded. 'The power source alone could be worth a lot to a good number of people.'
'You're thinking terrorists?' Kim asked, her eyes sweeping over the crowd of reporters again. 'That kind of portable power cell could very attractive to someone with that mind-set.'
'Not just them. A lot of business men would pay a lot to get a close look at it too. It could have many practical applications.' Shego replied, her eyes having strayed back to the podium where Jasun had stepped back, the screen behind him flickering to life, changing to show the company logo, the sweeping letters of JParkInc against the backdrop of a white globe appearing before them.
It took Shego a long second to work out that something was wrong, all seeming well until the company logo flickering and wavering. Soon, all eyes in the room were staring as the smooth letters twist into a pixilated face that Shego would be sure is grinning. The features are very distorted but something tells her this is the face of a real person digitised, not something created on a computer. All eyes are fixed on the screen and Kim can see the confusion on the faces of the media and on Jasun's as well.
'We can reach you anywhere, we can see you everywhere.' The voice is cold, full of deep synthesised tones. 'And you cannot see us. Or find us. Soon, what we want will be ours. Watch and see.'
Shego isn't, something is finding her attention attracted to something overhead; a soft sound, a soft shrill whine. She tries to trace the source, the sound becoming louder. The others have noticed now, the sound having risen to an ear splitting screech that makes her wince. Then everything goes crazy; the first sign Shego hears is the sound of rending metal, the scrape cutting over the building whine. It takes her a second to find the source, her head snapping up. And panic grips her, her body filled with the icy chill of adrenaline, her body and mind screaming run.
'Look out. Move.' she has no idea if those words work; all she can remember is grabbing Kim's wrist and running. Around her is chaos, all screams and clanging metal, those sounds bouncing around her, drowning out everything else. Then she heard one last clang and then nothing.
So, after the break from the serious stuff during Weekend, we are back to the main thrust of the story arc, or the first chapter of it anyway. And onto the next stage in Kim and Shego's lives, bringing in a bit more emotional conflict. I hope you guys like it. Comments are always appreciated.