Well, stopping an alien invasion and graduating high school on the same day should be enough to cause anyone to pass out from exhaustion. For Kim Possible however, sleep was not something that came easy. Kim had hoped the long shower would help, but the aftermath of everything that had happened and everywhere she today had been weighed heavily on her. She was frustrated that she couldn't do more, been better.
She opened the window of her bedroom and found a comfy spot to lay her blanket down on the roof. The cool summer night air felt so nice on her warm skin and damp hair. She loved the quiet and the view of the stars. Tonight, the stars were so much more than before. Just a few hours ago she was up there, among them. From up there, things that seemed so enormous to her here were really just infinitesimal.
It was like leaving behind childhood. School and friends were the center of the universe, and now the whole world lay before her. As she lay contemplating her changing life the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She wasn't alone.
"She's breathtaking. When you take a moment to look."
Kim jumped to her feet and spun to meet the intruder.
"Chill out Princess, it's just me. The Earth I mean. From up there."
"Ugh, really Shego, you couldn't just stay away for twenty-four hours?"
Her former foe and sometimes partner stood on the peak of the roof, hand on her cocked hip. It was weird to see her out of her usual costume. She looked relaxed in a light green t-shirt and jeans with her long jet black hair pulled back into a thick braid.
"Cute jammies Cupcake. Your Mom buy those?"
Kim sighed and relaxed, "Yeah, so what. They're comfy."
The pale green skin of her visitor almost glowed in the full moon and her fierce green eyes shown even brighter. Her arms flexed with corded muscle as she put her hands into her pockets and she sauntered down the steep slope of the roof easily with her long graceful legs. Kim liked to watch her move, like she owned the world and nothing could touch her.
Shego gave her an easy smile as she reached the edge of the blanket, "You know, you're a high school graduate now. A real adult. Time to start buying big girl panties Kimmie."
Kim stiffened and moved closer to her rival, "No one asked for your opinion Shego."
"Easy now Kitten, remember I'm one of the good guys now."
"Don't fault me if I don't take your word on that."
Shego chuckled and took a step back. "Alright. I get it. I just wanna talk."
Kim crossed her arms and sneered. "Talk? About?"
She watched as Shego pulled a silver flask from her back pocket and sat on the blanket, "Maybe I want pointers on how to be an honest to goodness hero."
"Yeah right. We both know you won't last a month. You're gonna be bored within the week."
"Probably. But a girl can try."
She gave a soft smile and took a pull from the flask.
"Nah, I just couldn't sleep. Figured you'd be awake."
Another sip, "How was graduation? I wanted to hear your speech."
Kim stood stunned, "Um…It was good."
Shego patted the blanket. "Sit down, take a load off. It's been a long day."
The red head took a moment to assess the situation before her. Was this for real? What ulterior motives could be behind this? Coming up with nothing, she shrugged and joined the woman on her roof. "You really want to know about graduation?"
"Yeah, I do. A little normalcy sounds good right about now."
Kim put her arms around her knees and pulled them to her chest. "I don't think my graduation was what you'd call normal. But it was fun. A stepping stone. I'm excited."
Shego laid back, crossed her ankles and put an arm behind her head. Her eyes scanned the stars, "So what does the future hold for Kim Possible? University? Government work? Marriage and babies? I bet boy wonder is looking forward to that."
"Ron was worried about our future. He doesn't like change. I think I finally convinced him we are gonna be ok, but…marriage and babies…I'm not rushing into anything like that. Global Justice will keep me too busy to be a Mom."
Shego shook her head, "Come on. GJ? Don't go there."
Kim looked back, "Why not? I could really help people there. They do good work."
"Sure, but on their terms. You…you're better than that. Everything they do is political. You wouldn't be able to help the people that really need it, those that are overlooked, left behind. You'd be a saluting robot."
"Ron said the same thing. Kind of. I figured he just didn't want me to leave him behind. He doesn't want to join. I don't know. "
Shego took another sip from the flask, "You know, the buffoon is a good kid and all, but you're gonna break that boy's heart. You need someone who's your equal, someone who pushes you, keeps you on your toes."
Kim flashes a dark look. She tried to hide the uncertainty she felt. She pointed at the flask and motioned for it. Shego raised an eyebrow. Kim just gave her a nod and gestured for the flask again. Shego shrugged and handed it over.
She took a small sip. It was sweet and smoky, then the burn hit. It was like drinking astringent and she let out a hard cough as it hit the back of her throat. "This is awful!" Her eyes began to water as she tried to breathe again. Shego laughed and reached to take back the liquor, but Kim pulled it away and took another pull.
The redhead sputtered and held back a cough. She smiled brightly and wiped the burn from her lips with the back of her hand. Shego's mouth dropped open in shock and it was Kim's turn to laugh at her.
"It grows on you." She rasped.
She finally handed the flask back, "So how was the United Nations thing?"
Shego just shook her head and scoffed.
"Draken took all the recognition and kind of made it look like were a couple. Crazy bastard."
Kim let out a giggle as the warmth of the liquor hit her, "Wait, you and Draken. No way!"
Shego glared at her, "Are you fucking kidding me? Nuh uh. Never! Nope!"
"Shego!"
"Oh come on Cupcake, you're gonna be nineteen in a couple a weeks, I think you can handle a F-bomb."
Kim smirks, "Your use of the word fuck was not what I was scoffing at. I think thou doth protest too much."
"Oh no. I'm too old for that grade school shit."
Kim lays back and gives her an incredulous look.
"Look, Dr. D has his moments. He makes me laugh and he's almost as smart as he thinks he is. He's not my type. He's the only friend I have and I think he likes the idea of 'us.' I'm gonna have to pull the Band-Aid off quickly here."
Kim looks back towards the moon, "I don't know, best friends make pretty good boyfriends."
Shego sighs and sits up, "Yeah, maybe so…but…I just…I don't…like him that way."
"Ok. So you're too old to be called out for protesting too much, but you follow it up with 'I don't like him that way?' I call bullshit."
Shego grins back at her, "Wow! There is some nasty language behind that uptight façade of yours Princess."
She pauses and frowns, "Wait, did you just call me old?"
"Nope, I called you a liar. You're really not that much older than me, and you're trying to change the subject."
"That's because there is no subject. Draken and I are not a couple, never will be a couple. End of story, full stop, period."
"Ahhh, here we go again!"
"No! Ugh! You can be such a pain in the ass! I don't even know why I'm arguing with a teenager about this."
"Neither do I. And I'm intellectually mature for my age. It's not like I'm going to run off and tell your secret to my high school friends."
"What secret? There's nothing to tell. I don't want a relationship with Dr. D. I don't want a boyfriend at all."
Shego lets out a frustrated sigh, "Ugh, if you must have some kind of answer why…I'm gay alright."
Kim sat back up.
"Oh. Wow. Ok. That makes more sense. I really couldn't picture you two together anyway."
Shego shoots a glare to the infuriating woman sitting beside her. "Then why the hell were you pushing it so hard?"
Kim gave her a soft smile, "I don't know. I like pushing your buttons, riling you up. It's kind of our thing. Keeps me on my toes."
Kim turns her head quickly to hide the blush as she realized just what she said. It reflected what Shego had said earlier about why things wouldn't work with Ron. Shego laid back down on the blanket and gave her a knowing look.
"Good to know."
She took another sip and handed the flask back to the shaking redhead. Kim grabbed it and took a deep pull. She grimaced and coughed.
"Thanks."
She looked towards the Stoppable house. She loved Ron. What they have felt good, and they were in no rush, but she had spent most of their relationship trying to convince him that he was good enough. The love he had for her was so strong, but was she really being realistic? She wanted to make it work even if there was some doubt as to her own feelings. Love was complicated.
"Have you ever been in love with someone Shego?"
She heard the woman take a deep breath and shift. "Yeah, I have."
Kim leaned back on the blanket and handed the flask back, "Why aren't you with her?"
She almost flinched at the look that Shego gave her. A dark flash followed by barely held back tears. She was in pain about her lost love. Kim's heart broke for her.
"Tell me about her."
Shego looked back to the stars, "She blew me away the first time I laid eyes on her. Tough, fearless and drop dead gorgeous. I couldn't stop thinking about her. I found ways to see her again, just to hear her voice, see that sparkle in her beautiful eyes."
She looked back at Kim and her eyes darkened more, "I never told her how I felt. She's into guys."
Kim's head was spinning. She wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or the implications of what Shego was saying. "Do you still hang out with her?"
"Yeah. We run into each other from time to time."
Kim surprised herself when she reached out to touch Shego's hand. "You should tell her how you feel."
She gave her a weak smile, "Nah. I couldn't do that to her. Besides, she's in love with someone else now. She's happy. I'll just screw it up anyway."
Shego pushed herself up. "I better get going. It's late. Too much soul bearing for one night can make girl tired."
"Someone told me once that you should always follow your heart. If you don't, it might be the biggest regret of your life. You don't live your life with regrets Shego. Don't start now. She might surprise you."
Shego held out a hand out and pulled her to her feet. Kim could feel her breath catch as their eyes met. "Your right. She just might. Good night Kim."
She watched the beautiful woman hop from the roof and disappear into the night.
