Disclaimer: I own who I own, which are the ones you don't see in the show. Hopefully Disney knows its own characters.

December 11, 1985

I'm glad I'm in Africa instead of Go City for the winter. I'm sure it's freezing by now. Deroga is being secretive about something. I'm trying to learn from the other men what he is planning, but they are excluding me lately. Some natural exclusion is expected from me being a woman, but so much is unusual.

Mateo invited me to dinner at his home. This is monumental for our research. Never before have any of us been able to have contact with an infant kitten. Not really an infant; Jezebel's second is about six months. First child under the age of six, then.

I'm excited of my acceptance into the community. Though it's still ideal to be accompanied by one of them, I can come and go without suspicion. A few even greeted me as I went through the culegere with Mateo. I can't ever feel comfortable around anyone except for Mateo's family, however. Confidence could get me killed.

We were stopped by the ovejas. Zudora and Azura were glad to see me...metaphorically. Mateo told them of our plans, and they said they would leave us be.

"However, Mateo," Zudora warned, "I see the end. Soon. We must cut off our connection with the ceuxchauve, perhaps even..." she trailed off. I bowed my head submissively and Mateo sent a questioning glance towards me.

"Oh, no. Zudora wasn't talking about her. Charlotte is safe," Azura assured him. Mateo nodded in an of-course-I'm-right manner. Azura was quiet and then spoke again, "Your girls are going to be essential to our survival, Tigrese especially. I don't see what her destiny will be, but she is going to have a hard life. Celeste will make her strong enough to endure, though." We thanked them and continued. After meeting Tigrese, though, I can tell she is special.

The smell of something burning caused Mateo and I to rush inside. There, kneeling by the hearth, was Jezebel with a stone slab of burnt meat. She frowned as she looked at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Stop it," she commanded.

"Oh, Jezzie, you didn't have to."

"I did, and I set it on fire," she grumbled, not used to being imperfect.

"I like my meat well done, anyway," I assured her. Mateo kneeled down and kissed his wife.

"Where are the girls?" He purred.

"Playing in the spare sala. Everyone else's dinner is ready," Jezebel stood up and went to the sepen.

Mateo accompanied me into the spare room. Celeste was growling, down on her hands and knees, batting at a small kitten the size of a Chihuahua. The kitten had the same red-orange pelt as her mother and sister, her fire red hair barely an inch long. Her paws had not yet separated into fingers or toes, her tail whipping excitedly as she danced around her older sister. Celeste scented me and stood up. She grinned.

"Charlotte," she greeted me warmly. The kitten batted at Celeste's feet, mewing questioningly, and then noticed me.

She stalked towards me very deliberately. I crouched down and slowly offered my hand. I looked at Mateo and he nodded his head approvingly. She sniffed my hand, glared at me, and then growled. I laughed; it wasn't the low growl of the older ones, more in the "purr" category. This only further angered her and it turned into a high pitched squeal of rage. Celeste laughed, scooping her up and purring to soothe her.

"All right," Jezebel called. I followed them back into the hearth sala. Jezebel had saved my...I'm not sure what meat it was, by scraping off the burnt sections.

I sat a fair distance away. Mateo and Jezebel brushed against each other, and Celeste near her mother's side but not as close. They watched amused as Tigrese stalked around me, pounced on me, chewed on my necklace, and tugged on my sleeve as I attempted to eat. She let it be known that she was boss and that I was an outsider.

Oh...I was so scared at one point. Tigrese had sunken her fangs into my hand and I had snarled, ripping my hand away. Next thing I knew, Jezebel was lunging towards me, Celeste on her feet. I thought for sure I had acted wrong; a mother's instinct to protect her kitten overpowered her sense. She would tear me apart in seconds without hesitence. However, it wasn't me she was admonishing. Tigrese yelped as Jezebel bowled her over. She gave a warning growl and Tigrese went to go sulk by her sister. Eventually, they accepted her again.

I watched them and realized how badly I wanted my own family. Exactly like theirs, with a loving husband and two beautiful daughters. It became painful to watch and even now, back at the camp, I feel an ache in my chest. I know I will not settle for anyone less than Mr. Perfect.

Twenty-Two Years Later

"Single Blue Male Looking for Life Partner. 42. Intelligent, funny, very evil. Contact me at ," Shego glanced up at her boss, "You put this in print?"

"Yes. It doesn't quite cover all my assets, but there was a word limit," Shego swallowed the bile rising in her throat. Drakken looked innocently at her, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Let's start off with the fact that you're posting a personal ad in a villain magazine. That alone screams how desperate you are. Do you know the meaning of "life partner"?"

"A person you want to spend the rest of your life with," Drakken said matter-of-factly. Shego sighed.

"Just so you aren't surprised when you get strange e-mails... According to the latest slang, "life partner" suggests you're looking for someone of your own sex," Drakken's eyes widened. Shego laughed, "Yeah, exactly," Drakken bristled.

"You're the one who told me to get a girlfriend!"

"Did I suggest this method?" She held up her Villain's Digest. She shook her head, "I reeeeally don't want to intervene in your love life, Dr. D, but desperate men call for women who know what they're doing."

"When's the last time YOU had a boyfriend?"

"That's none of your business," Shego sighed, "This is not the way to get an even decent date, nonetheless a lifetime companion. Now, I'm pretty sure one of my friends knows someone your own age, I'll call them up, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla," Drakken tuned Shego out. He had a good feeling about this.

&&&

Well, Shego was right about the strange e-mails, he thought dismally. A month had passed and the only e-mails he had received were from his friends teasing him about his "life partner" or honest e-mails from other men.

He had given up all hope when an e-mail came up from a "Charlotte Mistress". The first name sounded very promising. He opened it up.

Dear Sir (since you did not care to give your name),

I'm replying to the personal ad you placed in the last issue of Villain's Digest. I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner; I've been traveling abroad and also, frankly, wasn't sure how to begin.

I know you said you're looking for a life partner, but I'm taking the risk anyway. You sound like a fascinating man. I am a 40-year-old woman originally from Russia. I have a daughter, Artemis, who is 22. I also have a young Bengal tigress named Hilary.

Drakken read the line five times before it sank in. This woman, Charlotte, owned a tiger. Drakken shook his head. His henchgirl had glowing green hands. He wasn't in a position to judge.

I am also an entrepreneur. I dabble in different business networks, investing and so. I know, nothing worse than an independent 40-year-old virgin with baggage. If you haven't already run, I'd love to hear from you.

-Charlotte

Drakken immediately began on his reply.

Dear Charlotte,

I am Drew Lipsky, AKA: Dr. Drakken. Perhaps you've heard of me? I am an evil scientist bent on world conquest with a lair and a female lair mate/hench girl the same age as your daughter. How's that for chasing someone away?

I find nothing wrong with an independent 40-year-old virgin with baggage. I'm a 42-year-old virgin.

That sounds stupid, Drakken thought. She probably thinks you're pathetic. His finger hovered over the "delete" key, but then he withdrew. This was him, wasn't it? Did he want her to fall in love with someone that he wasn't? He pressed the "send" button before he lost his nerve.

A reply came within ten minutes.

That makes me feel better. It seems nowadays men don't wait for marriage. And I have heard of you. As a side note, it's going to take a lot more than that to chase me away ;)

The e-mails turned into instant messaging a short time later. A month and a half of IM everyday built a strange intimacy between the two. And then, one day, the big question came up.

Charlotte Mistress: It's been six weeks.

Krackalackindrakken: It has, hasn't it?

Charlotte Mistress: Don't you think it's about time we met in person? Despite the law of "never meet people you know only online in person", lol.

Drakken hesitated. It wasn't her; he trusted her oddly enough. It was him. What if she didn't think he was handsome? What if he repulsed this wonderful woman away just because of his looks?

Charlotte Mistress: ...still there?

Krackalackindrakken: Yeah, just thinking.

He took a deep breath.

Krackalackindrakken: When and where?

Charlotte Mistress: Actually, I'm in Venice on business right now.

He didn't even pause.

Krackalackindrakken: When?

There was a few minutes wait. Drakken's heart pounded as he prayed for the next message to come. Just when he was about to go back to watching the latest thing from The Onion, there was a blip noise. He eagerly pulled up the window.

Charlotte Mistress: Sorry, I had to get my scheduler. Friday afternoon is open. I know this quaint little cafe by a canal.

Krackalackindrakken: Sounds great. What time?

Charlotte Mistress: Five work for you?

Krackalackindrakken: It's a date ;)

"SHEGO!"

"I'm right here," she muttered, rubbing at her injured ear drum. Drakken signed out of messenger with a quick "see ya on Friday".

"I need you to look after the lair while I'm gone on Friday," Shego chuckled and plugged her nose.

"Are you going to be chatting with hot babes online all day?" She asked nasally like Pip from Napoleon Dynamite.

"No-o. I'm going on a date with the lovely Charlotte in Venice, Italy," Shego's eyebrows raised.

"Really?"

"Real-ly."

"Okay, stop with the two syllable emphasis."

There was a small smile on Shego's lips. It caused Drakken to smile. That was all Shego was going to say about this... for right now, anyway.

&&&

The sun gleamed off of the Mediterrean sea like stained glass. Or, at least the water from the Mediterrean sea, he corrected himself. He had always wanted to go to Venice, Italy; the city "floating" on the water. The gondala guider driver person stuck the pole into the canal and pushed off, the small boat gliding with an incomparable grace. They approached a corner of a block with an outdoor cafe. The gondala stopped at the cafe. Drakken's heart beat wildly.

"Signore, I believe this is your stop," he told him.

The sunlight glinted off the hair of a radiant brunette, her hands in her lap. She glanced casually around. Her piercing sapphire eyes met his. Drakken stood up. Was this Charlotte? He went to step up onto the street.

His foot missed and he slipped into the canal. It wasn't that deep and he came up quickly, flushing a strange shade of purple.

A white gloved hand was extended down to him. He sheepishly took it.

"Are you all right?" The brunette asked, helping him out. She had a heavy Russian accent.

"Yeah," he grumbled. She smiled and laughed, and he laughed too, as he squeezed some water out of his sleeves.

"Drew?" She asked. His eyes lit up.

"Charlotte!"

He looked at her with new eyes. Her brown hair was complimented with natural highlights, and those piercing sapphire eyes were breath taking. Her figure was perfect, Barbie doll perfection, with lovely feminine curves. Her navy blue business suit fit her as though tailored specifically for her; a blazer, a skirt, and a white blouse. She wore nylons with black heels, her skin having a healthy glow. On her right cheek was a red scar, the same size and curve as his.

"Miss Mistress?" He questioned. It was her turn to be sheepish.

"Yes," she admitted.

"...Wow," Was all he could say about that, and about her. She was so, so amazing. He felt like he was going to wake up at any minute.

"I, um, have a table already," she motioned to it. They both sat down.

"Wow. The Miss Mistress. Entrepreneur, scientist and crime lordess extraordinare," he murmured.

"Does that bother you?" She asked worriedly.

"No, not at all. Hello, super villain?" He pointed at himself. She shook her head.

"I don't know. Some persons are bothered," she murmured. He glanced at the menu.

"I have no idea what any of this stuff says," he admitted. She laughed.

"Do you mind if I order for you?"

"Be my guest."

The waiter came and they had a short Italian conversation. Drakken listened intently to her lovely accent, her subtle movements. She was so beautiful. She turned back to him, her demeanor almost shy. Shyness and the publicly comfortable Miss Mistress he knew of didn't match. Actually, it was very hard to grasp that Charlotte and Miss Mistress were the same person. The initial awkwardness wore off quickly and they were soon talking like old friends. He filled her in on his latest exploits and she on hers. They discussed the latest headlines, politics, moral issues, etc. She mentioned how beautiful the changing leaves were in her neighborhood and he inquired as to where she lived.

"Go City," she said simply. He raised half of his eyebrow.

"Go City?"

"Never heard of it, have you?" She asked.

"I've heard of Go City," he said, "Ever run across Team Go?"

Her sparkling eyes transformed into a raging storm the second he ended "team" and began to say "go". She looked...intimidating. He shrank back in his seat.

"Yes. Yes I have," she said coldly, sealing the subject. The storm passed. She set down her glass of water, "It's the only city in the world that has the anonymitity of a 500 population town. A lot of...misfits find their home there," she chose her words carefully.

"I passed through there once," Drakken said, "Seems a lot like Washington, D.C. You'd have to spend weeks in order to do it all."

"Half the things aren't worth the time. I'll have to show you around sometime." That was the conversation that made Drakken grateful he hadn't told her about Shego yet, and made him decide telling her would have to be at the perfect, perfect time.

They walked through Venice into the late hours of the night, when they finally decided to go their separate ways and agreed on another date, this time in Paris. Drakken tried not to make a sound as he slipped in, the sun just rising.

"Drew Theodore P. Lipsky."

"DOODLES!" Drakken jumped back. Shego smirked in amusement.

"What are you doing running around in Venice into the early pre-dawn hours with a woman named Charlotte?" She teased.

"Talking," Shego leaned against the wall.

"Talking? Just talking?"

"Yeah," she laughed.

"I didn't just come out of my mother, Drewbie, or just out of elementary school. I know what happens when a grown man and a grown woman get together..."

"Shego, it wasn't like that."

"I know. Just messing with you," she patted his shoulder affectionately, "Get some shut-eye, will ya?" She began to walk away.

"Shego?" She paused and turned around, "Do you have any connection to...Miss Mistress?"

Shego's eyes clouded the exact same way as hers had when mentioning Team Go, except for her anger was a lot more visible than Charlotte's. Her teeth gritted and her hands lit up.

"Don't even-"

"All right, all right, just wondering," he said defensively. Her hands returned to normal and she began walking towards the kitchen. She paused and then looked at him, shocked.

"You're not saying that your Charlotte is Miss Mistress, are you?"

"I didn't say that," Shego eased, but still looked upset at the mention of Miss Mistress. And he hadn't said that Charlotte was the same as Miss Mistress. Out loud.

Months and months passed. Drakken and Charlotte saw each other a couple of times every week, and spoke over the phone or IMed every day. Their friendship blossomed into a strong, respectful relationship; not the fantasy kind you dream of when you're young, but the lasting steel-strong one that you dream of when you're older. Drakken realized that this was it, the woman he had been waiting for. He went to his mother's house, took his grandmother's engagement ring, and called Charlotte up.

"What are your coordinates?"

"...Drew?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Why do you want my coordinates?"

"I'm picking you up for a surprise."

"Where are you?"

"Hovering over Go City."

"You should be able to see my lair, then. It's in the mountains, the one with the earthen brown roof."

"I see it. Bring your parka, it's going to be cold."

Charlotte came out with a thick coat on and got into Drakken's UFO. He blindfolded her without explaining why. They flew over the Atlantic and talked. She shivered slightly as the air became colder.

"Drew, where are you going?" He grinned.

"You'll see," he said slyly.

He landed and helped her out. He positioned her.

"Are you ready?"

"For you to stop being so mysterious? Yes."

"All right. Close your eyes," she obeyed and felt the blind fold slip off, "Now, open them."

Charlotte gasped. Colors danced in the sky, mostly blues and pinks and especially greens.

"Aurora Borealis," she murmured.

"Yes," he agreed, "My hench girl came up with the idea, actually. She commented how romantic the northern lights were one night and well..." Charlotte glanced over as she heard a thud. She laughed, "Falling again?" She asked. He grinned sheepishly as he got up off the ice, one knee bent down still. Just like their first date, she thought dreamily. She offered her hand.

"Falling is definitely the word," he reached into his jacket, "I know it should be longer until this, but I just know you're the woman for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Her heart beat as he revealed a small velvet box. After fumbling a bit, he managed to open it to reveal a diamond ring, "Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Charlotte grinned.

"Yes. Yes!" She exclaimed, trying not to cry. He got back up and they embraced.

&&&

Shego awaited eagerly for the news. She'd seen the ring, and she knew about Drakken's northern lights stunt. Her flames flickered as she thought about what kind of heartless witch would turn down Dr. D.

The door open and she lept to her feet. Drakken kept his face carefully composed as he walked in. Shego pinned him against the wall.

"All right, I don't want any games. Yes or no?"

"Yes or no what?" He said slyly, staring at the ground. She shook him.

"YOU. KNOW. WHAT." She anunciated. A smile slipped from him.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes."

"Oh, Dr. D!" She exclaimed, hugging him, "I'm so happy for you!" He embraced her as well, as much as he could in her boa constrictor grip.

"I'm so happy, too."

"When do I get to meet her?"

"Next week at the Bermuda Triangle, her and her daughter."

"I can't wait!"

&&&

"Why, Tigress? Why is it the food on my plate is so much more appetizing than the food on your own?" Golden Arrow asked. Tigress just grinned, her tail flicking from side to side in amusement.

"Because it isn't mine," she purred simply, popping the stolen bit of steak into her mouth. Golden Arrow pointed her fork at her.

"I'll stab you the next time your thieving habits kick in, got it?"

It had been a long time since the three of them had been together, nonetheless sat down for a family dinner. Golden Arrow had quietly been trying to slip out of the crime world, Tigress had been working on her business investments, and Miss Mistress was engrossed with her own agenda. Taking her mind off of annoying her sister for one moment, Tigress noticed Miss Mistress's anxiety. Golden Arrow watched them both, wondering about the odd silence. Miss Mistress found it the perfect time.

"Girls, there is a reason why I called you to stay with me for a couple weeks. There is a man..." Tigress immediately bristled. Miss Mistress shot her a glare from across the table, "It isn't anything bad; certainly nothing to get your tail in a bunch over."

"Did you tell him everything this time?" Golden Arrow asked. Tigress's fork snaked towards her plate. She yowled as Golden Arrow, without so much as looking away from Miss Mistress, drove the tines of her fork into Tigress's hand.

"She warned you," Miss Mistress said unsympathetically. She sighed, "I've been painfully honest with him. The only thing I may have not explained fully to was Tigress's unique physique," she stabbed a chunk of steak, "This time, I told him I had one daughter and a young tigress, instead of two daughters. He accepted that well."

"Is he going to be one of those weird skittish ones that everytime I move, they flinch? Or is he going to run out of the room screaming? Or will he try to shoot me? Or maybe he'll turn me into the ASPCA, that's always fun," Tigress said blandly, finishing her meat.

"I don't know how he'll react. It sounds like he's had his share of weirdness, though."

"Who's the guy?"

"Drew. Drew Lipsky," Golden Arrow tensed. Tigress choked. Miss Mistress looked at her worriedly. Tigress shook her head from side to side.

"No. Hell no. Drop him, now," she snarled.

"Do you know him?"

"Of course I do. I'm surprised you don't. Break it off with him!"

"Don't tell me what to do," Miss Mistress growled coldly.

"Oh no," Golden Arrow groaned.

"Yes, oh no. Huge oh no. There is no way I-"

"Tigress, it's too late," Golden Arrow said softly. Tigress spun around.

"What do you mean?!"

Golden Arrow pointed out Miss Mistress's engagement ring. Tigress let out an enraged snarl and stormed away, leaving her vegetables untouched on her plate.

&&&&&&

This is actually a story I found while going through my files. I got through the first couple chapters, but stopped. I'm glad I did now; it was a little awkward with the slight DS and being engaged to a woman. Plus, I didn't want to smash Drakken's fragile heart like that :( But I really liked the idea and didn't want to give up completely on the plotline. So, here's the new version, with actual fiance love and minimal Drakken heartbreak. Those who have read my previous stories are like "oh crap, the fur is going to fly once the sidekicks meet and find out". Those who just picked this story randomly are either putting the pieces together, or totally confused by the OCs. Don't worry, newcomers and oldcomers, the past will be explained in the next chapter.