-1I do not own Kim Possible or any other character in that series. Disney does. And I'm glad they're actually making another season. This is the sequel to --Saving the Day--, if you haven't read that please do (AND REVIEW) (even if the first few chapters are a little choppy. It was my first book, gimme a break) Do not make any snap decisions on pairing, there will be pairings, but like everything else I do I wont make it obvious right away. A few curse words and mild violence.
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Kim pulled up to the hospital and got out of her car. HER CAR! Every time she thought about it, it made her happy. Her gift for graduating Valedictorian. She had been allowed to drive it before, but the car wasn't officially hers. Until now! It locked itself with a beep as she walked away from it toward the checkpoint they had set up at the hospital.
"Good morning, Kim" the front guard said as she walked by, flashing her badge.
She smiled back "Morning, Steve" he stared at the bag she carried and wished he had remembered breakfast. She walked blithely past him, looking forward to getting to her destination. Her pace picked up as she approached Shego's room. She knocked on the door, and upon hearing no reply she opened it. Empty. Well, there were only one or two other places she could be, and guessing the time she's probably in physical therapy. At least she would call it therapy, most would call it torture.
Kim opened the door to the room the hospital usually used for muscular rehabilitation. Now it was Shego's personal gym. Mego was picking himself up off the floor and his sister was standing over him. He looked beaten and tired and upon seeing Kim walk in he exclaimed in relief "oh, thank goodness."
Shego saw Kim and shot back "Finally, maybe I can have a decent workout!" She smirked at Kim while holding one hand out and motioned for her to attack.
Kim had been expecting this, though, and even had spare workout clothes in a locker. "Sure, give me a minute to change" The doctors and Shego's brothers had told Kim that Shego would be like this. She had just spent a month in a coma, and she was feeling very insecure. She was pushing herself to get back to her peak. But her muscles were stiff and her body still wasn't fully recovered yet.
Kim came back a minute later wearing her usual mission clothes (of COURSE she would have to wear THOSE clothes.) Shego had taken the minute to polish off the food Kim had brought and they started to spar. At first Shego launched a series of hand and leg strikes which Kim blocked pitifully easily. Several times Shego left herself wide open to attack, but Kim couldn't bring herself to take advantage of her condition and held back. The worst part of this was Shego knew it.
"I'm not made of glass, Kimmie, you don't have to hold back."
While Shego worked to get back into shape she would berate those trying to help her. But the anger she directed at others was nothing compared to the pain and disgust you could see in her eyes, directed at herself every time she showed weakness. And that was what shook Kim the most. She had been ready for Shego's biting remarks and sarcasm during their sparring sessions, but she wasn't ready for that. The look in her eyes every time she picked herself off the floor, hating herself because of her weakness. She may always be hard on those around her, but that was nothing to the standards she held for herself
Kim didn't say a word and Shego started to attack again. They sparred for another few minutes and Shego tried a spinning roundhouse, but her muscles were stiff and her balance was off. She landed with a thud on her rear. She sat there for a second, frustrated, then she punched the floor and got back up, shaking it off. Seeing her like this just made Kim like her more. There was a determination in Shego that reminded her of herself. Kim launched into a series of attacks, this time she was full speed. Shego defended the first few strikes, but Kim had always been quicker than her and now it was no contest. Kim got some light punches on her gut, then spun around to hit the back of her neck lightly. Shego ducked the roundhouse (Kim knew she would) but couldn't avoid the sweep that followed. Shego fell backward and rolled to her feet as Kim charged her. She blocked the punches Kim threw at her head, and even managed to block the forward kick, but then Shego felt Kim's punches lightly hit her ribs, then her foot connected lightly with the side of her knee. Shego wasn't able to come close to landing a shot yet and was becoming very frustrated, but she saw Kim's body telegraph her next punch she moved her head to the side and began a spin. Kim's light punch missed Shego's head and she spun around. In her frustration she wasn't thinking clearly and brought her claws out. She caught herself at the last moment and her nails merely scratched across Kim's stomach.
Shego panicked "Oh shit, I'm sorry."
"No big. It's only a scratch" She rubbed her fingers over the pink lines running across her stomach. She had barely felt it, but the scratches stood out on her light skin. She got in attack position again, motioning Shego to attack. The woman smiled and was more than happy to comply. They began sparring again, Shego seemed more motivated now that she had actually gotten a hit (scratch) on her faster foe. So Kim picked up on the lighter mood and started to banter. The started by throwing some quick punches while saying "So, how long are they planning to keep you here?"
Shego started blocking "Well, they're giving me some garbage about my muscle fibers.. ooff" (Kim connected with her gut) "having re-attached to my bones because they were broken in so many places…" ducked a roundhouse kick and countered "YA!" (Barely missed Kim with a fierce forward kick, she charged the defending cheerleader) "And they want to keep me here for tests another week or.." her butt hit the ground after Kim hit her with a quick sweep. "Ooff two."
Kim spoke while Shego got up again "How about after that?"
Shego actually paused a second to think, then attacked with quick punches "I'm not sure. I've tried the hero bit and it didn't work out. HA!" She hit Kim with a strike to the gut, making Kim grunt. She followed with some kicks. "The villain business wasn't much better." She tripped Kim with a sweep and followed it with a quick knee strike. "I'm not sure what else to try."
Kim rolled backward narrowly avoiding the knee and the quick strikes that followed it. She then counter attacked "Well, you could try what normal people do. Ya!" (she blocked a palm strike, grabbed and twisted her arm in a reversal. Shego forward flipped to break the lock.) "I'm starting college this fall."
She talked like the thought never occurred to her. "Huh. College. Parties… frat boys.. skipping class.. parties.. Sounds like something normal people do, it could be fun."
Kim rolled her eyes as she dodged Shego's attacks. She had just named all the things Kim had planned NOT doing while in college. "Ugh. That's not why you go to college. But it is something normal people do, I guess."
Then the doors opened and Kim's mother walked in.
"Afternoon, girls. Come on, Shego, you can stop doing your Karate it's time for your tests."
AFTERNOON?? Both Kim and Shego's gaze shot up to the clock which read 1:30 PM. Wow, time really does fly. Shego had just began working up a sweat though, so she turned to the Doctor "It's Tai Chi, Dr. P. and I'm busy. Come back in a few hours."
Mrs. Possible just grabbed her arm "You can't push me around like you did Drew. These tests need to be done and you're going to come now!" Shego scowled as she was grabbed, but didn't struggle too much as Kim's mother drug her toward the door.
As she stood alone in the room she had a thought and called Wade on her Kimmunicator. Wade's voice chimed out "Hey, Kim." Then he noticed her tired, sweaty look "Are you exercising?"
"Hey Wade, and yeah. I'm helping Shego with her therapy."
Wade chuckled "Who would have imagined YOU helping Shego get back into fighting form?"
Kim laughed at the thought "Yeah, life. The more things change… Speaking of which, I'm sorta curious about something. Is there any way you could find out what Shego's grades were in school?"
"Of course, Kim. Just give me a minute." He did some typing then a surprised look came across his face. "Huh!"
Kim didn't even ask. "All A's I'm guessing?"
Wade nodded a bit surprised "Yeah, Kim. How'd you know?"
Kim smiled "Can you imagine Shego letting others be better than her in anything?"
Wade agreed "I guess that does fit her personality, and she probably rubbed her brothers noses in it. She had also been accepted at several universities when she went to work for Drakken. Including Upperton State." Kim smiled. This would make things much easier.
"Thanks Wade. You're always there when I need answers."
Wade smiled "Just don't expect me to help you with your homework! Just because I finished my college at an early age doesn't mean I want to relive it!"
Kim looked at the clock "Guess I should be heading home. The tweebs will need a babysitter until Mom gets home and dad's shift starts in an hour."
Wade replied "Good luck Kim."
"See you later Wade." She turned off the device and headed out to her car. Heh, HER CAR! As she drove home she thought about Ron. He was always better with her brothers than she was. Maybe it's a guy thing. She missed Ron, but he wasn't here, and with Monique working most days Kim had been spending most of her time at home or at the hospital with Shego (she preferred even Shego's company over her tweeb brothers) soon she was spending more time at the hospital than she was at home.
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To be honest, Shego was glad Kim spent so much time with her. (but tried not to show it.) Drakken had been taken away from her shortly after she had woken up and other than her brothers Kim was the only person she had left to keep company with. She did miss Drakken, though, and hoped he was doing well. But for now Kim was the only other tie she had to her old life. Her brothers were always there for her, true, but sometimes a woman needs to talk to somebody who isn't immediate family, or annoying.
After a few hours of scans and tests Shego walked back to her room in that stupid hospital garb. She has been poked and prodded by half the doctors here and she was getting impatient to leave. She's been out of the coma for nearly a week and she felt that it was time to go. But the doctors who monitored her just wanted to be sure. They have never seen anyone take the kind of punishment she did and even move again, much less be running around. After this batch of tests they set her release date a few days hence and she couldn't wait to leave. After her shower she went down to the cafateria. The lady behind the counter knew her now and didn't react as Shego kept ordering more food. (although she was amazed at the woman's figure after eating so much). She finished off by heading back to her room. She sat on the floor for an hour stretching and doing Yoga, trying to loosen her stiff muscles, and finally took another shower and went to sleep. Well, she turned off the light anyways.
As she lay there in the dark thinking about her life and the recent changes she heard a sound at her window. Somebody was trying to break into her room! Who would do that? Well, she figured the whole villain community would probably hate her now. Not to mention several law enforcement agencies may still hold a grudge. She crept to the window in the dark and listened to the burglar as he put a glass cutter to the window. She acted, yanking the window open and grabbing the man outside, throwing him to the floor before he could react. She stood over him and lit her hands up, bathing the room in green as she sized up the large man. The man was muscular and dressed in all black (including a mask, like a ninja). He just lay there.
"Oww my back!" he whined "It's going to take the masseuse a week to work this out!"
Her hands went out "Junior?"
"Yes, teacher. It is I."
She relaxed. He was no threat to her. So she casually walked over and turned on the light as he got to his feet, rubbing his backside.
Once he was up she turned on him. "So, Junior, why the hell are you breaking into my room?"
He rubbed his head "Well, Father wanted this delivered to you. He was going to simply pay one of the henchmen to dress as a hospital orderly to deliver it, but I thought it more appropriate to use the skills you taught me instead." He held out a small box.
She took the box and opened it while talking. Senior Senior may be eccentric, but he was no terrorist. "So, you snuck past all those Global Justice guards and made it up here undetected?"
He stopped rubbing his hair and shrugged "Undetected by everyone but you."
She smiled "Not bad, Junior. I'm glad my time with you wasn't wasted." he smiled at the compliment. She had the box open, it was a portable DVD player. She opened it and it started playing.
Senior Senior's face came on the screen "Good evening, Miss Shego. Or good afternoon maybe, depending on when you get this package. Because of our past dealings I would like to wish you a… how do you say… Get well soon." He paused, then turned slightly more serious "I realize that apparently your allegiance has changed to, or perhaps it has always has been on a more lawful side. Nevertheless, I have an ongoing feud with Miss. Possible and would like to ask you to see fit to leave the contest between me and her." Shego smirked, (in other words, don't interfere). He continued speaking "I thank you for your time, Miss Shego and I also thank you for not hurting my son on his bungled attempt to gain entrance to your room." Shego thought (he wasn't that bad.) but didn't say anything. The video quit playing and she set the player down while Junior pulled the mask back over his face.
"Farewell, teacher. You're always welcome on the island if you wish to visit."
She smirked and asked with a touch of sarcasm "Your father wouldn't be against you seeing a hero?"
He said matter-of-factly as he climbed out the window. "Father is getting older and wants to see me married. And I think I could do far worse than you."
Shego got a shocked look and opened her mouth as if to say something. She wasn't sure whether to be insulted or not, but settled for just slamming the window to hear a pained "OUCH" and then a thud on the ground below (she was only on the second floor). She smiled "So the old man was worried I might butt into his little duel with Kimmie." She thought "But he has no cause to worry, I don't plan on getting into the hero business again, so I could care less about his little duel. It's not like he's a challenge to her and the sidekick anyways." She was about to go to sleep, but then a thought crossed her mind. If Junior could get into her room, somebody dangerous could. Not that she was worried, but if these Global Justice guys were getting paid to protect her, they could AT LEAST be competent at it. She picked up her phone and called Betty.
Dr. Director answered the phone and started speaking in a tired voice before Shego could even open her mouth. "You get your package?"
"What?"
"Your package. From Senior Junior. You didn't think I wouldn't know about that? He's harmless so I let him in. His file said he was trained by you, but with his sloppy attempt at infiltration if I was you, I wouldn't admit it."
(He wasn't that bad) she thought, guessing they had seen him by accident or probably after she turned on the light in her room.
"If that's all you wanted, I would like to say good night. I have an early meeting."
"Yeah, sure. Night." She hung up. Damn know-it-all woman! She acts just like that Wade kid. Well, may as well go to sleep. Training comes early, and these muscles aren't going to stretch themselves. And she turned out the light.
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The next day Kim arrived to see Mego and his sister training again. (Shees, how much time does she spend doing this every day?) Mego was thrilled to see her enter, and hastened to leave after she arrived. The day's events were similar to the prior days with one exception. Shego was quicker and her balance was more steady. And she knew it. She was smiling the entire time (even when Kim repeatedly knocked her down). She liked improving, and she liked the fact that Kim didn't hold back on her. She tried to make it worth the cheerleader's time. Today's match was not interrupted by her mother, but it was interrupted by something else. A strange noise.
"Come on, Kimmie, Attack!"
"I thought I heard something"
(Grrrww)
"There it is again! What is that?"
(Grrww)
"Ignore it and Come On!"
(Grrwww….grrwwww)
"That's coming from you! Is that your stomach?"
Shego looked embarrassed for a few seconds before replying "So I was stretching and missed breakfast! What's the big deal?" (Grrwwww…..rrrggrrwww) She motioned for Kim to attack, but Kim looked at her watch.
"Wow! It's 2:30 already! Lets get something to eat.
Shego was about to protest when her stomach started growling again. Kim knew what she was about to do, but the noise cut Shego off. Shego looked down at her own stomach, then up to Kim's sarcastic expression, smiling an embarrassed smile, shrugged and finally said "Fine! Lets go."
As they ate they talked, and the conversation centered mostly on Kim. Shego swallowed a bite and said "So, you and the sidekick are hitting college you say?"
"His name is Ron, and yes, we're hitting college."
"Yeah, I know his name." she took a bite "So, is this college any good?"
"Upperton State is a good college. And you should know, you applied there!" she realized her slip and her mouth shut.
Shego stiffened. "So, you've done some research on me. You need to keep your nose out of my business!" She paused and said "So, what else did your snooping find?"
Kim felt bad at being found out, but said "Well, I know you was accepted there."
Shego sat back, chewing, then said "Oh." Then Kim realized. She didn't know! She probably hadn't went back to her brother's house to check her mail the last few years. Kim pressed "You was accepted and the offer is probably still good. What would you say to that?"
Shego thought about it a second. Her old life was apparently gone, and short of going back to live with her brothers she had no real plans. She thought back, remembering how much she had, at one time, looked forward to going to college and striking out on her own. Maybe it wasn't too late. "Well, I don't have anything else going on. Maybe some frat parties might pass the time."
"Well, registration is in a few weeks. We need to get there early though. See, they get this long line if you're not there way early. Some even show up the day before."
"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!" Shego said, holding up her hands "Who said anything about me going there with you? What makes you think I would ever want to do anything with you that doesn't involve somebody getting hit?"
"Well, we could be there all day, and Ron isn't back yet. I just want somebody to talk too."
To be honest, Shego didn't want to be alone either, but she stuck with her usual attitude. "Well that's what cell phones are for.." Shego's talking slowed as Kim made her trademark face, the puppy dog pout. "Ugh. Would you stop doing that? Fine! We can register together, but you're bringing lunch!"
Yay! Kim won! She smiled, but she also knew that Shego probably also wanted some company while spending the day at the college. The woman was alone and probably wanted somebody she knew with her. She was just being... well... Shego. That was ok with Kim though, at least the woman was predictable. Ron would always be cheerful, Monique would always be helpful, and Shego would always be difficult. That was good, Kim liked predictable. Kim looked at her watch "Oh! I have to go. I gotta watch the tweebs until mom gets home."
"Tweebs?"
"My twin brothers. They're such a pain I renamed them the tweebs."
"The ones that freed us from Drew's mind control chip?" Kim nodded and Shego continued "They seemed nice to me, but then I like my twin brothers. It's the other two that get on my nerves."
Kim said goodbye, promising to return the next day and ran out leaving Shego alone. Shego reflected over the short list of things she was allowed to do. She didn't want to call her brothers every single day, and she didn't even know how to contact Drakken, so that left her alone. She finished her meal and turned in the tray, thinking about how great it will be to finally get out of this hospital. So she can be… well… alone. Maybe this college thing won't be so bad if she can meet some people who won't think she's a freak, but then the last time that happened she was at a villain conference. She decided not to bother her brothers. Their lives had been disrupted enough because they felt they had to stay by her during her coma. No, she didn't have to bother them, or anyone else. She could just go to her room or maybe the gym and stretch her muscles out, and maybe work out. A good work-out could always take her mind off her problems.
The next few days passed in a similar fashion, One of her brothers would show up in the morning (or the twins) then she would work out some with Kim, getting better with each passing day, then her evening were spent alone, reflecting on how much her life has changed. And how much it hasn't.
The big day had finally arrived! Kim drove to the hospital early to find the parking lot was packed. Annoyed, she parked her car another block away and made her way through the maze of reporters. Shego was being released from the hospital! Even the Mayor was expected to arrive, to escort her out of the hospital to the limo that was going to take her back to Go Tower. (Luckily, Go City wasn't too far away from Middleton). A crowd of people had already formed outside, eager to wish the hero well as she made her way back to Go Tower, keeping a vigil on the world! (at least that's how fans saw it). Kim showed a badge that Betty had given her and was allowed inside. Reporters watching the event (being broadcast live) were saying "Teen Hero Kim Possible has just arrived and was given access to the hospital. What new developments will arise from the presence of somebody who is well known as being an antagonist of Shego?"
Kim went up the elevator and saw Hego talking to Dr. Director in the hallway. They were both using hushed tones so she couldn't make it out, and one glance from Betty told her that she better keep moving. So she went into Shego's room to see her sitting with Mego behind her. He was styling her hair. Kim's jaw dropped as Shego looked up at her, but Mego kept brushing her hair proclaiming "My sister's being released and I refuse to let her be seen unless she looks fabulous!"
Kim bent over to speak to Shego in a low tone "Is this really necessary?"
Shego replied "Not really. It's not like I care what those reporters think. But" and she paused then said in a lower tone "But I don't want to make him mad, he's a really good stylist."
Mego kept brushing and said "I'm The Best! And I think my work here is finished." He stepped back and looked over his work. Kim had to admit, her hair did look really good. Better than it usually did anyways (and her hair was always very well kept, which said a lot about Mego's skill.)
At this point Hego and the twins entered the room. Hego looked very pained.
Shego looked up at him "What?"
Hego looked pained to talk, but started "I've been talking with the Global Justice people. I told them that you wouldn't do it, but they insisted on it."
Shego never liked hearing half a conversation so she interrupted him "Insisted on what?"
"Well, I told them you wouldn't wear it…"
"Wear WHAT?"
He held up a small tracking bracelet and Shego shot up and backed away from him. "OH HELL NO! HELL NO!"
Hego held out his hands "Please, sis, calm down."
"Don't sis me! You sold me out to Global Justice and told them I'd wear that thing? I thought I was in the clear!"
"And you ARE in the clear, sis. You are! This isn't for you!"
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Look, sis. They still haven't caught that clone! And as long as you was in the hospital they could keep trying to capture her by any means necessary. But with you free, they don't want to take the chance of mistaking you for her! And they CAN'T put a tracking device on the clone, so putting one on you was the only option left!"
Shego stood there, glaring at her brother. She didn't like it, but he did have a point. There was somebody out there who looked just like her, talked just like her, with the same plasma powers as her, hell even the same DNA as her, doing who-knows-what. And every crime she committed would instantly have Shego as a suspect, and she would have to prove her innocence every time, unless they knew exactly where she was at all times. She hated it, but it would probably save her a lot of headaches if she just wore the damn thing. Hego kept talking.
"Look, sis, you can go anywhere you want and you're totally free! Look. You don't even have to wear it if you don't want" He snapped the bracelet over his own wrist "Look! I'll wear it! And I got one for Mego and each of the twins! We can wear them and just have one of us near you until the clone is caught!"
Spending a whole day with Hego.. or Mego… Jail would be preferred over either. Hego STILL kept talking..
"Look, sis, I'll even get one for Kim there!"
Kim stood up, having suddenly been drug into the conversation "Hey! Now wait a second!"
Shego silenced them "Shut up! Look, I get it! They can't shoot at the clone if they think it might be me. Fine! I get it! Just shut up and give me the damn thing!" Hego pulled another bracelet out and held it out to her (once snapped on, they absorb a flake of skin or hair and register to that person's DNA and life signs. Global Justice would know if that person took it off or gave it to another person to wear as an alibi) She pulled up her pants and snapped it around her ankle. It's color shade blended almost perfectly with her skin tone (it was obviously made for her).
Hego felt terrible, "I'm sorry sis, but Dr. Director thought it would be the safest way to handle tracking down your clone…"
She interrupted him "I said I get it, now shut up! But, once that clone is caught this thing is coming off!"
Shego pulled down her pant leg down and covered the bracelet up. It didn't matter anyways, since she had so much money that she wouldn't have to do anything criminal anyways. Let them chase her clone around, as long as they left her alone! She breathed in deeply, putting the bracelet out of her mind and preparing to walk out to the circus waiting for her outside. She was taking a mindset to NOT throw plasma at everyone who asked her a stupid question. Hell, she might even smile. That should make everyone happy, and maybe even get her picture on TV. A few minutes of press, then they'd leave her alone. She could do this! She breathed out again, ready. They started walking out of the hospital. As they walked out only Shego caught her gaze. Betty Director had stepped into one of the rooms, lights off, totally unseen by all. Betty watched them walk through the hallway through the small window in the door. Nobody spotted her except the one who had mastered stealth long ago. Their eyes locked for a second, Shego directing anger at her for the bracelet and Betty's look showed gratitude. Then Shego's attention directed back to her brothers as they walked outside.
Dr. Director had stood outside the room. She was glad that Hego had volunteered to give her the bracer, because there was no way that Betty would have begged like he did. What Shego didn't know what that Global Justice had set up hundreds of tracking devices, all set using her DNA, to catch the clone. Chances are she would set at least one off daily, and the only thing keeping squads of Global Justice swat teams from parachuting on top of her is that tracking device. Betty was glad the woman caved and chose to wear it. It would save Uncle Sam a lot of time and money.
The ride to Go Tower was smooth, Shego liked riding in the back of a limousine (especially one paid for by the government). But, the ride wasn't very fun alone. She tried to lounge and wished she had something different to wear, thinking about the small suitcase that her brother brought her, containing a few of her mission suits (like this one) and one or two revealing dresses, and a pair of jeans or two and some T-shirts. (Unbeknownst to her, Dr. Director had to ask Drakken for permission to search their last lair. Of course he obliged, and a squad of troops spent an hour looking for clothes for Shego to wear. They had searched her room and then the entire base. When Betty saw the results of their search she sent them back saying "She has to have more to wear than that!" But finally after another fruitless search they returned empty handed and Betty said "That's all she has to wear? Doesn't she ever get out? She must have no social life at all to have so few clothes.") She drank one glass of wine, and started to get lightheaded. "Whoa, I don't get any affect from just one drink" she thought, then she remembered what the doctors told her on one of her many testing sessions. "Shego, your body underwent serious traumatic injury, especially when your body was superheated. As far as we can tell, while your body healed it hit a RESET button of sorts, so many of your organs are acting like they did when you was at a much, much younger age. We're sorry, but that's the closes explanation we can think of"
"Great" she thought to herself "So now I'm a cheap date." Then she thought about the last time she was actually out on a date. The karaoke bar instantly appeared in her head and she sighed. And then she had another drink. When she arrived to Go Tower her brothers were waiting, as she walked up to the building the Limo drove off (eliminating her means of escape). The tower looked huge to her now. She stood in front of it remembering the day she ran out of it expecting to never come back. And here she was, coming back having failed every goal she had made that day. She had failed to stop being a hero, had failed to get her brothers out of heroing, and she probably doomed them all to much shorter lives. But her running out had not stopped them from trying to be heroes, so all she was left with was to try and keep them from being too stupid. She went in the tower, determined to at least try and be nice to her brothers.
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Kim got the call the next day, early afternoon. Her Kimmunicator beeped (she never got a cell phone, her Kimmunicator was just as good, but had more features) "What's the sitch? Wait, you're not Wade."
There was no picture, just Shego's voice came out. "Princess, you gotta get me out of here. My brothers are driving me insane!"
Kim was surprised by this request, but she didn't have anything else going on, and Monique was at work so she was bored "Shego? You want to spend time with ME?"
"Ugh. Don't rub it in my face. I'm desperate. Being a part of the villain community has left my social roster somewhat… short. Anyways, I don't have any clothes to wear."
Oohh. Clothes shopping. Kim liked to shop, and she knew exactly where to go. She had been hoping for an excuse to see Monique today anyways. "I know exactly where to go!"
"Great, now get over here before I start blasting random family members!"
Kim laughed and replied "On my way! Hopefully I'll beat Global Justice there." In the background Kim could hear Mego's voice saying something about her needing a hug, then Shego's voice came out yelling "GET OFF ME!" Kim decided she better hurry.
She arrived at Go Tower to see Shego standing out front, wearing an older pair of jeans and a shirt that said "Bad Girl" on the back. She pulled up to see Shego's sarcastic expression. "This is your car? What do you call it? The Kim-mobile?" Making an obvious pun at the name of the device she always carries.
"NO, I DON'T!" Kim replied "At least I have a car! You getting in or what?"
Shego got in the car and said "Oh, I have a car too, at least I have one being made."
"It's being made?"
Shego laughed. "Of course! You should know that I never get off the rack. I always get custom! My jet is the same way… assuming Global Justice ever tells me what they did with it!"
Kim drove them to the mall and Kim introduced Shego to Monique (I know they met in A Sitch in Time, but since the time monkey was destroyed that technically never happened.) After spending a few hours of walking around the mall the girls wound up at Club Banana again. Monique welcomed them back.
"Welcome back to Club Banana! Can I help you?"
Shego spoke "Yeah, I need a whole new wardrobe and this is the best fashion store in this hick burg." Monique wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, but she was always professional.
"Well, let me show you some of the latest fashions!" They walked around the store. Kim waited for it…
"What is THIS??!! Kim Style??! HA! Like I'd be seen dead in this!" Kim waited, she knew there'd be more. "Oh, I get it! You had a plan like Drakken's. You wanted to make yourself look GOOD by making everyone else look BAD! Right?" Shego was laughing by now and Monique giggled a little, even Kim smiled during the whole conversation, but she did roll her eyes once or twice. A few hours later, though, both Shego and Kim walked out of the store carrying multiple bags on each arm and Monique was waving goodbye saying "Come back soon!" (Please). As they walked toward the food court Monique leaned against the wall for a second. She had never seen that much money spent at one time, this definitely meant she was getting a bonus!
They finished shopping, and ate at Bueno Naco (even though he was gone, Kim liked going there. She even sat at the same booth they always shared.) After they finished Shego seemed reluctant to go back to Go Tower, so they watched a movie. While Shego sat there laughing at the action movie Kim had picked and pointed out the flaws in their martial fighting Kim actually had fun. The thought just appeared in her head while she heard Shego's laughter at the actor on the screen. She had a fun day! With Shego! It was... almost comparable to a day with Ron. Almost. Her thoughts went to him, she hoped he was doing well wherever he is, and she hoped he would come back to her soon.
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Ron looked up to see the sunrise. He has already been training for hours, but usually stopped for a moment watch the sunrise, then he went back to his training. Today it was more martial training, which meant more pain. But he was used to it, and in a way he was glad. The last time he came here was sorta like a vacation, but this time he came to train. And they definitely knew how to do that here, they've had hundreds of years of practice. Every day since he arrived here has brought him a new kind of pain. He thought back a second, trying to guess what today was, thinking about what he has accomplished so far. His first few (weeks? Months?) had been spent carrying things. First it was rocks, then water buckets, then logs, then bigger rocks, then other stuff. He carried them from long before sunrise to after sunset. In the brief periods when he was allowed to rest he had to be stretching his arms, legs, back, whatever. It was somewhere around that time he lost track of the days, but his muscles got strong. He had a lot of blisters to be sure, but they had a cure for blisters. His back would ache, but they had a cure for that too. They seemed to have a cure for everything here. Ron was glad Rufus was here with him, the animal helped him keep sane, and would spend his days mimicking Ron's actions, often bringing humor to the man's training. Once Master Sensei was satisfied, then the real training began. He would still carry stuff before sunrise, but once the sun rose, they would train him how to fight, which brought him a new type of pain. Eventually they also started teaching him how to meditate. But, sometimes, he would still wonder what day it was, and how Kim was doing.
A training staff struck him (Smack) and Yori snapped "Ronald-San, Pay Attention!"
"Sorry, Sensei" While she was training him, she was to be called sensei. He missed the days he could use her name. Ron started making the motions for the temple's unique fighting art again and Rufus mimicked his actions again. And as the day wore on, it blended into the previous day and the next day came to the same effect.
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Hego's voice rang out. "Shego! Come out! We've made breakfast!"
Shego was stretching on the floor in her undergarments, and glared at the closed door. "I'm busy. I'll be out in a while." Today was the first day the Hospital didn't send a cab to pick her up. The tests were finally totally done and she was finally free. She hadn't had a lot of free time the last few weeks, but that was starting to change now.
"But Mego made his stuffed waffle soufflé!"
Oohh. It's been SO LONG since she had that. Her stomach growled and she looked down at it (shut up!). She got up, kicking her legs a few times. She felt a lot more limber than she did a few weeks ago, maybe she could skip stretching today.
Hego yelled at her door again. "The twins are squeezing fresh orange juice!"
Oohh. Fresh O.J. too. Fine. They win. "Fine, Hego. Tell them I'll be right out after a shower." She heard his footsteps run away from her branch of the tower toward the kitchen area.
Her brothers had been pampering her since her arrival at the tower. And it was driving her crazy! She undressed and got into the shower, squeezing some of that Professional Hair Stylist shampoo into her hand. No doubt Mego had picked it out. She thought about her situation as she lathered then conditioned her hair. Everyone seemed to be going out of their way to be nice to her. Even her former enemy! Everyone seems to be acting just like Drakken did the day after he had chipped her and Kimmie. It made her wonder exactly what was going on, but she convinced herself that they was being nice because… well because they're nice people. But it still made her paranoid.
She stepped out of the shower, drying her hair with her flames. She preferred this method to a hair dryer because her hair, like her skin, seemed to be immune to the heat from her plasma. This took a few minutes, though, so her mind wandered again, thinking about why she had called Kim the other day. Truth be told, she could have borrowed one of her brother's cars and drove out to shop herself, but being alone didn't seem fun to her anymore. She had a lot of fun that day, shopping, driving, going to that expensive restaurant and even the movie with the terrible actors was fun to watch with her. She watched the words carefully in her head lest she call Kim a friend. But she did seem to make things fun, even when she was fighting against her. She started getting dressed, while thinking "I wonder how much fun Kim would make Drakken's Karaoke nights?"
Then her thoughts paused. Drakken. He was her common denominator. During the last few weeks she had discovered that no matter where she was or what she was doing her thoughts always wound up resting on him. She did miss the blue lug and she hoped he was doing fine. She determined to find out exactly what happened with him. Today even, right after breakfast!
"Coming, Sis?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just finishing up!" She finished dressing and went down to the dining room to see how long she could take her annoying brothers before she left the tower to check up on Drakken.
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Drakken's maniacal laugher rang out, getting the attention of all those nearby. James Possible and Vivian Porter approached him. James chose to speak.
"What's so funny, Drew?" (Drakken was getting used to people calling him by his old name, but occasionally he insisted on being called Drakken.)
"I've done it! I've figured out the secret to keeping the Venus Exploration robots operational!"
Vivian looked mystified, in just a few weeks he had solved so many of their older problems with his own unique solutions. "Oh? How'd you do it, Drewbie?"
Drakken allowed her to call him that name, among others. She had been such a key part of his dealing with Global Justice (the science center made a lot of the equipment that GJ used, so she had a lot of clout with them.) She had seemed to like his work when they were freed from Mastermind, and from that meager start their relationship had blossomed. "Well, considering the acidic atmosphere on Venus I designed it to resemble a slug like so" he showed them a diagram of a slug-like robot. "Now the robot is programmed to explore the surface while taking samples."
James interrupted him "Yes, just like the last 3 robots we sent to Venus. They didn't survive more than a few days, even with heavy shielding. The acid eventually eats through it."
Drakken looked at him, then continued "I studied your past failures…"he lingered on the word "and came up with this! It's programmed to explore, but while it moves it (eats) the ground under it, taking the dirt in here." He motioned at the bottom of the slug, it had a mouth-like appendage on its bottom. "And the dirt is then sweated out on pores located on its outer surface." He then motioned at the tiny dots covering the robot. "So, as it wanders around exploring it will be steadily renewing its armor against the acidic atmosphere."
James stared and said "Brilliant"
Vivian hugged his arm "Genius! I knew you'd be a vital asset to this team! Great job! Can you explain it in more detail, honey?"
Drakken seemed uncomfortable for a moment. "You sure you want to hear it?"
Vivian nodded "Oh, yeah. All of your explanations are so detailed, and so original. I can't get enough of them."
Drakken said "You sure you wouldn't rather tell me to shut up? You know, Talk to the Hand?"
James replied "No, go ahead, Drew. Even with what you've explained so far it seems feasible, but we would need more details to give you full credit."
Drakken started to explain, in further detail, the whole of the robot. He finally had what he wanted. His old foe, James Possible, stood here telling him how brilliant he was and Vivian stood at his side, also praising his genius. Yes, exactly what he wanted. So then, why was it that somewhere in his mind he felt something was missing? He hoped that Vivian would suddenly put up her hand and say (that's a colossal waste of money) or maybe (That's so dumb it just might work). But he shook off that thought and took in their praise as he finished his explanation and they walked with him to the coffee maker for some doughnuts and coffee. But, his mind said one last time before he pushed it down completely, what good is their praise if it's so easy to get?
Drakken finished his day of work, and Vivian walked him out to his car, holding onto his arm. His house was along a road on the way to her house, so they carpooled. They both walked to her car and he opened her door, then walked around and got in himself. She even gave him a peck on the cheek before she started the car and they drove off. Neither of them saw the green eyes that had watched the event. Nor did they see the tear to drop as Shego looked over her sunglasses, watching in disbelief.
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Shego sat in her brother's car fuming at herself. "This shouldn't bother me! I've seen him go out with women before! There's DNAmy, he even proclaimed his love for her and it didn't bother me!" She had caught the women hanging on Drakken and even kiss him and her heart jumped. And a tear fell from her eye. And she still had no idea why! She agonized over it while she sat in the science center parking lot, trying to put into words why she shouldn't care what Drakken's doing with his life. He was just her former employer, nothing more! She kept repeating this as she placed her head against the steering wheel, eyes shut, trying to put the vision of Drakken and Vivian looking so happy together out of her head.