I don't own these characters and I don't own the song that inspired it.
"Everything I do, I do for us too…" – Street Symphony (the remix).
Choices
Part: Two
"Okay, baby, open your eyes," Shego said. She held Kyoko around her shoulders after leading her girlfriend to a surprise.
Kyoko had not said anything, but "surprises" where starting to become almost a daily thing with Shego and they tended to be material items. Before a surprise from Shego meant she showed up unannounced and was going to take her out to the movies, but ever since their great first anniversary, which had been several months ago, the surprises had been becoming more and more frequently. They grew gradually from little things to bigger items, things Shego should not have been able to afford. Shego spent money like she had more than enough. Kyoko could not help wondering where her lover was suddenly getting so much spending money.
Kyoko did as she was instructed to, opening her eyes, which felt like they had been shut for hours instead of a couple of minutes. She gasped when she saw what the surprise seemed to be and had to blink several times to make sure if was not an illusion. They were in a very elegant, modern apartment. She turned to her lover with wide eyes and her mouth slightly open.
"What is this?" Kyoko inquired, her eyebrows drawing close together.
"This is our new condo," Shego answered with a proud smile, holding her chin up high.
Shego had obviously saved up some money, even though she tried to spoil Kyoko rotten. Where could she have gotten all of this money, though? Her job definitely did not pay enough for her to spend what she had been spending, but there was no logical way for Shego to be able to afford this place.
"New condo?" Kyoko echoed with her brow wrinkling more than before. She squinted as she stared at Shego. "Shego, love, tell me you are not into drugs," she begged. Something like that would explain why her girlfriend seemed to have so much money lately. She doubted it would be hard to get into drugs with the neighborhood Shego lived in, well, used to live in.
Shego laughed like this was the funniest thing she had ever heard. "Drugs?" She laughed even more.
It could have been worse. Kyoko could have asked if she was a prostitute, but Kyoko was not sure a prostitute would have the money Shego had, unless she was a seriously high-class escort. She also could not see Shego doing something that could potentially endanger their health like that, but something had to explain where Shego got so much money.
"Where are you getting all of this money? Is it drugs?" Kyoko pled, hoping it was not drugs. She would love to know Shego was not doing something unsavory or illegal, but she supposed that was the only way to explanation.
"No, it's not drugs," Shego assured her beloved with a smile and a hug. "Now, let's break this puppy in and make love in every freaking room."
Kyoko laughed and did not argue with Shego. It sounded like a grand idea. Of course, Kyoko could not help wondering how her girlfriend could afford a condo like this, especially as she got the tour. These gifts were now truly alarming. She was curious and she really wanted to know, so she had to ask. Well, she asked when they were done.
-8-8-8-8-
"Shego, where have you been getting money for all of this stuff?" Kyoko inquired with her fingers running up and down Shego's side.
The couple was in their bedroom in their bed, which was a king-sized bed polished a shiny black. The spread on the bed was black, too, even the pillowcases. The room itself was white, though.
The walls begged to be painted and Shego planned on a green, but she wanted to wait for Kyoko's input. After all, Kyoko would live there, too, and she knew from experience it was no fun to live some place that she did not give input in. There was a black dresser because they were going to need some place to their clothing, but other than that that and the bed, the room was quite bare. On top of the dresser, Shego kept the photo album Kyoko had given her on their anniversary.
Shego felt like this new place to live was a priority. Now, she could live with Kyoko again without having to worry about her. Everything would be right in the world as far as she was concerned. She would be able to treat her girl like a princess, just like Kyoko deserved.
Shego felt could not even describe the feelings that went through her in being able to provide for her girl. It felt good for her to be able to supply something point blank. She stood on her own and could hold up Kyoko. It felt so freaking great and she would treasure it, making sure it lasted for as long as it could.
"I got a new job," Shego answered in regards to where she got her money. It was not a lie, at least.
Kyoko turned onto her side, looking at Shego's face with a smile. The way her dark eyes sparkled made Shego just want to kiss her and go at it again. But, now was not the time. Kyoko wanted to talk and that was fine. Talking with Kyoko was one of Shego's favorite things.
"I am glad for it. I knew if you got some experience, a better job would come alone. What is your new job?" Kyoko inquired.
Kyoko seemed quite pleased and probably already assumed it was nothing illegal. She had been worried for nothing. She even leaned over, giving Shego a kiss. Her lips were so sweet and loving.
Shego glanced at her lover, feeling guilt gnaw at her. The look in her eye told Kyoko that she did not want to tell and she would prefer not to be asked. Kyoko sighed because of the secrecy and cuddled closer to Shego, which made the green-skinned teen smile. She just hoped Shego was not doing something wrong or dangerous.
"I'm going to take care of you, baby. I promise," Shego said and she leaned down to kiss Kyoko's forehead.
"You will not have to for too long," Kyoko replied. After all, once she graduated, she planned to get a job of her own. She wanted to get into business. "One day, I will be able to shower you with wonderful gifts as you do with me."
Shego smiled and caressed Kyoko's soft cheek. "I want to for as long as possible because I love you. So, I'm going to take care of you, always, even when you have a job and can buy me things. You're my princess and I'm going to treat you like one." Shego hugged her girl close to her and stroked Kyoko's shoulder.
"Just… do not get hurt doing it," Kyoko whispered. She was not sure what else to say, especially since she had a feeling her girlfriend was doing something, well, not right.
"I won't get hurt. I'm going to give you the comfortable life you deserve," Shego declared.
"I am pretty happy with life as it is," Kyoko replied with an open smile. "Time could stand still and I would die happy right here."
Shego only laughed, even though she had no doubt Kyoko was happy with life as it was. Shego would make sure it got better since she could. She would make sure her girl did not have to worry about anything at all ever again and her new "job" would make that possible, which only made her love "working" more so than she already did. Kyoko just gave her a reason to go out and work even harder, though.
-8-8-8-8-
Shego bought Kyoko all the latest clothes since Kyoko was sorely in need of a new wardrobe. Her grandparents could not afford to send her much money to get new things. Well, Shego handled that. Anything it seemed like Kyoko needed, she had money for now. And if Kyoko wanted something, hell, she could probably buy five of them for her girl after a while.
Shego also made it a point to send money to Kyoko's grandparents, so Kyoko did not have to worry about them financially speaking. She did not want her lover to have to worry about anything at all. She even pointed out that Kyoko did not have to feel so much pressure from school anymore because if she lost her scholarship, she could pay the tuition.
"That is sweet of you, my love, but you should remember that if I lose my scholarship, I will probably be kicked out of the country. I am here on a student visa," Kyoko reminded her.
Shego smiled at her from their new dining room table, which Kyoko had picked out. It could fit four people comfortably, if they should ever decide to have people over. "That's true. But, still, don't worry about it. I've saved and I could pay your tuition if we need it. And, you should know, if you got kicked out of the country, I would follow you right back to Japan."
Kyoko smiled back and then moved around their state-of-the-art kitchen. She wanted to make breakfast for them. She often did this.
"Perhaps you should join me next semester," Kyoko suggested. It sounded like she opened the refrigerator.
"You are brilliant, babe. I think I will do that," Shego declared.
It's great to not have to worry about money, Shego thought. She could make her girl happy and she had actually found something she enjoyed doing, not even remembering she had planned to never do it again after the first time. Now, she wished she gotten into her new career earlier in life since it got her everything that she wanted, but she supposed it never would have occurred to her before. She had always been sarcastic and maybe a little cranky, but she had never been one to do anything really wrong or illegal. Now, things had changed and she had no problem pulling a job almost once a week. It was a rush. Every single time she did, it was such a rush.
The more Shego stole, the more she wanted to do it. She just thought of it as a way to shower her girl with more and more gifts, which she did do. She loved the way Kyoko's face lit up when she gave Kyoko something. The expression itself was motivation to go out and just keep doing her thing. The fun factor helped, of course, but she tried not to think about that.
She tried not to think of how fun it was because openly admitting she liked being a thief seemed wrong to her. She was not supposed to be a criminal. Hell, her parents were probably rolling over in their graves over it. Probably wondering how the hell I fell so far.
So, she told herself she did it for the one that she loved. She did it to survive. Her parents would understand that. If she could support herself and Kyoko in some other way, she would and she should, she tried to tell herself. She was a walking contradiction most of the time because of the thoughts she refused to acknowledge. After all, sometimes she told herself she wished she had started stealing sooner in life while other times she told herself she would never do it again if only she could make a decent living doing something else. Maybe after I get a real education, I can do something.
"Are you all right, love?" Kyoko asked as she placed a plate of breakfast in front of Shego.
Shego snapped out of her thoughts. "Hmm?"
"Are you all right? You looked… what is the term? Zoned out," Kyoko said.
Shego shook her head. "No, it's nothing." She turned her attention to breakfast. Kyoko mixed traditional Japanese and American food, which Shego liked. So, there was congee, cheese omelet, fruit, and toast. "It looks good." She smiled at her girlfriend.
Kyoko sat down across from her. "I can take care of you as well." She blushed slightly from this, but it only made Shego smile more.
"You do a good job," Shego said. Without Kyoko, more often than not, she would forget to eat or just grab some junk food in favor of planning her next move. Hell, sometimes, she doubted she would even have a "next move" if Kyoko was not there.
-8-8-8-8-
Eventually, Shego had to find better fences because she stole bigger and better things. Little jewelry stores were nothing at this point. They were not a challenge to get into, so she stopped bothering with them a couple of months after she started this.
She moved on to fine art from museums, which she knew could fetch some good money if done properly. It involved having more connections in the underworld. Those were easy to get consider she had been doing burglaries for months now.
"You really think you can rip me off over this? It's the only seascape this guy ever painted," Shego said to a fence. He gasped, like he thought she was stupid.
She surprised a lot of people she dealt with in the underworld by knowing the basic value of the art she swiped for them. She was no idiot and she knew art theft would fetch a good chunk of change as long as she had a buyer lined up beforehand. It would be virtually impossible to sell a hot painting to just any old person on the street, but what she hated was when they tried to renegotiate after the job was done. She got buyers through her connections in the criminal world, where her reputation steadily grew. Her ability to get good art, led to people hiring her to grab other things for them and people even started recommending her.
By the time the next semester of school started, Shego enrolled and Kyoko had a new car, a gift from Shego. Shego would rather Kyoko drive to school in style than for Kyoko to have to take the bus anywhere in Go City. Life was going mighty swell, Shego thought. Everything was going to be all right in her opinion.
After all, she had a high paying occupation and could easily provide for her girlfriend. Kyoko had never seemed happier. They had a strong relationship still. She was independent and had no plans to ever go back to her brothers. Everything just seemed to be going smoothly and she did not see why that should continue.
-8-8-8-8-
"Shego-chan, you do not think the car is too much?" Kyoko asked. This flaunting of money worried her once more. There was no reason for Shego to be able to afford a condo, tuition, and a new car.
"The car's fine. You like driving it, right?" Shego countered.
"That is beside the point," Kyoko argued. She moved, wanting to stand before Shego to have this discussion. She settled in front of Shego, who was on the couch with a book in her hands.
"Why? You need a car. In the end, this is actually cheaper than paying for the bus and train everyday. So, don't worry about it. It's better this way," Shego stated and then turned her attention back to her book.
Kyoko frowned. She understood this was how Shego blew her off or dismissed the subject of money. But, the money was actually the problem. The more Shego got, the more she seemed to think they needed.
"My love, you do know money is not important to me, yes?" Kyoko inquired. Shego always made it seem like all of this material wealth was for her, but it was not important to her. Shego was important to her.
Shego looked back up and put her book down. She reached out for Kyoko and pulled her down to the couch. Kyoko straddled Shego's waist while Shego settled her hands on Kyoko's hips.
"You deserve the best, Kyoko. I want to give you the best," Shego insisted.
"You have given me more than enough, my love. I do not want to see you hurt and I wish for you to chase your own dreams," Kyoko replied, moving a hand to Shego's cheek. Shego was always warm, bordering on hot, but she loved nothing more than to hold her love, have Shego with her. "This is more important than money," Kyoko whispered, motioning between them. Her hand settled on Shego's heart. "I care most about this."
Shego actually sniffled. A hand went back to Kyoko's neck and played with her hair briefly before Shego pulled her in for a gentle kiss. Kyoko returned the show of affection, felt Shego's love for her just as always, but she still worried. Something just was not right with them, something tipped out of balance, and she was not sure if she could fix it. This frightened her almost as much as Shego getting injured on "the job."
-8-8-8-8-
"Damn it," Shego mumbled as she entered the condo. The place was dark, which she expected. She had left Kyoko sleeping to go out and get some work done.
She had started sneaking out more often, trying to wait for Kyoko was in a deep sleep before going to put some work in. She was never strapped for cash now and she might have just pulled a job days ago, which had been the case that night. She had gotten things done, but things had not totally gone according to plan because the damned security system kicked in with something new — lasers. She had missed that when studying the layout and paid the price on her way out by getting burned across her arm before she could escape with her plunder.
The thief silently made her way to the bathroom, lightly treading on their polished, light hardwood floors. She hoped to take care of her wound before sneaking back into bed with Kyoko being none the wiser in regards to her absence. She entered their bathroom and clicked on the light.
A tiled mosaic of blue and green hummingbirds in a garden on the walls watched her all around the room. There was a shower in the far corner of the room with three showerheads. The bathtub was black, large, and circular with two steps leading up it. It was a Jacuzzi-style tub. The sink, which was Shego's destination since the medicine cabinet was above it, had golden gooseneck style facet. The golden handles were designed to look like resting birds. Kyoko liked birds.
Shego unzipped her green and black cat suit to take care of the burn; she used her Team Go uniform for reasons that were beyond her. Maybe she looked at as getting back at her brothers by using the team uniform while she was doing something she knew they would be totally against, but she never tried to really rationalize it to herself. She was surprised when the door opened and she saw Kyoko was not sleeping.
"Love, are you all right?" Kyoko asked and then she caught sight of the burn, marring her lover's toned arm. "What happened to your arm?"
"Nothing. Work-related injury," Shego joked with an awkward smile. She hoped her girlfriend would not fuss over her. She did not want questions to come up from her little mishap.
"Let me take care of that for you," Kyoko volunteered.
Shego did not argue. It would not work and Kyoko was moving already. So, Shego made herself comfortable, sitting on the closed toilet while Kyoko went to fixing up the burn. She pulled out the necessary items from their medicine cabinet, which was flanked by a row of lights on both sides. She put what she needed down on the sink and inspected the wound as she bandaged it. Shego noticed the examination and hoped questions would not follow.
"This looks pretty bad. I hope someone did not do this to you," Kyoko commented in her usual tone to avoid sounding as concerned as she was. She knew if she expressed too much concern when Shego thought she was fine, then she would only irk her lover.
"No, no one did it to me," Shego assured her beloved with the hope it would keep Kyoko from pressing the issue or getting worried over nothing in her opinion anyway.
"This work… it seems dangerous," Kyoko said in a smaller voice, but she was not whispering. It was as if she was not sure if she wanted to bring the subject up and thought doing it in a gentle voice would make it more acceptable to approach.
"Well, everything has it dangers," Shego remarked and added a shrug to downplay the situation. God, I really don't want to talk about it, especially not with Kyoko.
"Perhaps…" Kyoko muttered, dark eyes trained on Shego's wound.
Emerald eyes narrowed as she focused on Kyoko. "Perhaps what?"
"You should take a few days off. If only to let this heal," Kyoko commented. There was something in those words that sent an ominous shiver down Shego's spine.
"Perhaps," Shego agreed. She had already sold the item she lifted and she did not have another job lined up. She could take some days off, even though she really wanted to just get another job. She needed money, after all. She had to take care of her very thoughtful girl.
When Kyoko was done, she actually kissed the wound. "Now, back to bed with us." Shego could only nod and allowed Kyoko to take her back to bed. There were no more questions.
-8-8-8-8-
Kyoko glanced to the empty seat next to her in class. Shego usually sat there. It was a required course they had decided to take together. It was a morning class and Shego had decided to sleep in instead of going into class. It would seem she had a tough night at "work" and was exhausted.
Kyoko had noted her lover slipped out every few nights, and how it got more frequent as time passed. Last night was no exception. She has grown to miss Shego at night. Will I have to miss her during the day now, as well? She used to think it would be nice to have her lover in bed for the whole night for a change and now there was this. She had to worry about Shego out at night for insane hours and now she had to worry about her at home as well.
Kyoko wondered what "work" was for Shego. It was not drugs, she believed that, but it was apparently dangerous for her to get burns, cuts, and come in late hours, wanting nothing more than to sleep for the whole day. She supposed it was a good thing Shego healed better than others or she would insist they go to the hospital when Shego came in injured. Of course, Shego would refuse, but the injuries seemed to be a little more frequent as well.
All of this was starting to become a habit with Shego. She missed class more often and she came in late every night. She did not even bother to look at the notes Kyoko got for her. "Work" seemed to have became more and more important to Shego, which made it more and more of a curiosity to Kyoko. She tried her best not to think about it. She was all too aware she did not wish to know, but she could not ignore it anymore. She could not willingly be blind to what her beloved was doing anymore.
She did not care about how much money Shego brought in. The "job" seemed to play with Shego's priorities in her opinion. Shego needed to be in class and she needed to graduate college to fulfill her dream of becoming an engineer. That was what was important, not all of this money, especially when they really did not need any more money. They had everything they needed, so now all she wanted was Shego back.
She wanted back the Shego who always went on about being an engineer once they hit campus. She wanted the Shego back who knew taking her out to the movies once in a while was better than showering her with material gifts almost every day. She wanted back the Shego who knew automatically that all she needed to be happy was for Shego to be there without thousands of dollars having to be involved. She wanted her Shego back and she could not stand idly by while "work" consumed her beloved. She needed to do something to get Shego to stop whatever "work" was.
That night, she decided she would try to stop her love. As Shego was set to rise from their bed, Kyoko made her move. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Shego, hugging herself against Shego's back. Shego went rigid, undoubtedly shocked Kyoko was awake. Little did she know, but most of the time she sneaked out Kyoko was awake. Kyoko was also usually awake when Shego came back in as well.
Shego's beautiful emerald eyes went wide, but she did not turn around to face Kyoko. Kyoko could see shadows dance across her lover's pale visage. Shego was probably debating if she should say something, if she should lie to Kyoko, or just come up with a less than truthful excuse.
"Stay with me tonight," Kyoko requested in a small, but clear voice. She sounded strong, even though her voice was low. She knew what she wanted and she seemed resolute in getting it. She did not want to be alone that night in bed again. She did not want Shego to go out and something happen to her. She did not want Shego to miss another class and ruin her chances at being an engineer.
"Kyoko…" Shego muttered. She actually sounded a bit shaken, like she was not sure what she should do.
"Do not go out. Stay with me." Kyoko's voice was even stronger than before. Maybe if she finally pressed, things would right themselves.
"I… can't," Shego replied, almost as if she was ashamed of that.
"Why can't you?" Kyoko asked in a gentle tone, hoping it would get her girlfriend to reconsider. She wanted Shego to stay with her, not just at that moment, but always. She did not want Shego sneaking off anymore.
Shego turned her face to the wall and sucked her teeth. "Don't ask questions you don't want answers to."
Kyoko's stomach flipped a little. "I want you to stay with me." She might even want answers at this point. She still sounded unyielding in her statement, but it was not working on her beloved. She did not know what to do about that. Was work now more important she was? Was money more important than she was? Now, her stomach burned at the possible answers.
"Not tonight," Shego answered, her voice low, almost apologetic. She turned her head, looking away again.
"Please, tonight," Kyoko begged, her voice wavering now. She feared she was going to be left alone yet again and that her wants really did not matter to her lover. The fear made everything inside of her shiver.
Shego inhaled sharply and took a moment to respond. "Baby, I've got to go out. It's what I do. It's how I keep us afloat."
"We have more than enough to float. Soon, I will graduate and I can work while you finish school. This does not need to continue."
"No, it doesn't, but for now, I'm the one who has to work. So, let me go and go back to sleep," she added, still sounding gentle, but also curt in an odd way. Her tone had an underlying sharpness to it brought on by the edge because she felt delayed.
"I do not want to. I do not want you to leave," Kyoko replied in a near desperate tone now and she held Shego as tightly as she could. "My love, become the engineer you have dreamed of." She wanted Shego to follow her dream, not travel down the dark road she seemed intent on walking.
"I will one day. Go back to sleep. I have to leave. If I don't, certain people wouldn't like it," Shego stated.
Kyoko squinted in the dark, hoping to make out Shego's features. "Certain people?" She did not like the sound of that one bit and it was only more of a reason for Shego to follow her dream and get out of the mess she was in before it was too late.
"Yes, so go back to sleep. Besides, I'm doing this for us. I want us to be able to live comfortably together."
Kyoko released Shego, partially because of the implications that something bad would happen if she did not let Shego leave and the fact that she wanted to believe Shego was doing it for them. Shego took her chance and left without turning to look back. Kyoko sighed. She was really starting to really worry and now she felt a bit guilty that she had not put up more of a fight. That was going to change.
-8-8-8-8-
Shego sighed as she sat on a rooftop, trying to get her head together. She could not believe Kyoko had been awake. Maybe I'm getting sloppy. She did not see how she was getting sloppy at sneaking out of her own home when she was getting better with every job at breaking and entering places. She would have to be more careful around Kyoko. She did not want to cause her beloved any stress or worry. After all, there was nothing to worry about. She would handle everything and be able to take care of the both of them no matter what.
"What am I going to do if she wakes up again, though? Or if she starts asking more questions?" She could not lie to her perfect angel, which was why she froze when Kyoko began questioning her tonight. She had some conscience left. Then what will I do if Kyoko asks again? Hell, when she asks again.
She itched to go out and do her thing, even though she refused to acknowledge this. She needed to go out, which was why she dipped out tonight in spite of Kyoko's begging. So, how would she get by Kyoko without lying?
"No, no, no. I didn't need to go out. I just have buyers waiting and they wouldn't be happy if I didn't show up. That's all," Shego told herself. She said it aloud, wanting to make it more real. "I couldn't stay in." She frowned and growled. "Why did she ask me?"
She was not sure if she wanted to be upset with Kyoko asking the impossible of her, as she saw it anyway, or if she wanted to be ashamed for not being able to give her girl what she wanted at that very moment.
More than that, she thought about how Kyoko's voice trembled as she begged. There was fear in her voice and it settled heavy in Shego's stomach, burning throughout her whole torso. It made it hard to breathe. She felt ashamed of herself.
"I can make it up to Kyoko. I can make this better. I mean, we have an amazing life. Things only Kyoko could've imagined before me. She had to understand why I'm working. I want the best for her," Shego said. For once, though, she recognized she was more trying to convince herself than anything else. It did not matter, though. She could make it all better.
-8-8-8-8-
Shego took a semester off from school and Kyoko had a feeling she would never go back. Shego had lost all interest in school before the semester even ended and her girlfriend was very aware of that. Her focus was mostly sleeping during the day. She could not even wake up for breakfast anymore, spending too much time out during the entire night.
Kyoko slept alone more often, almost every single night now. She knew the more she remained silent, the deeper her loved would dig herself in whatever underworld she had worked herself into. She had to do something or she might lose her beloved.
"Shego," Kyoko said. They were in their bedroom, sitting on the bed, on top of the black spread. They were both in their pajamas, just tank tops and shorts. It was comfortable and nice.
Kyoko was positioned behind Shego, brushing her hair. It had been something they used to do all the time, take turns brushing their long ebony manes, but most of the time now, Shego did not even want to be bothered with the activity. Kyoko was glad that had changed tonight at least. It showed her that her Shego was still in there somewhere underneath this new creature that only desired to work.
"Yeah?" Shego replied. She rolled her shoulders and leaned back a little, like she sought body contact with Kyoko.
"I want you to stop doing what you are doing," Kyoko stated, speaking firmly, but making sure not to sound like she was giving a command or ultimatum. As far as she was concerned, that was the only way to save her love. Shego needed to stop. They did not need money anymore, so she did not have to put herself in danger anymore. There was no need for it. They could live happily and comfortable off of everything Shego had already gained.
"Baby, I'm doing this for us," Shego replied. It was almost her automatic answer when the subject of her work was brought up. Kyoko was tired of hearing this excuse.
"How are you doing this for us? We do not need anything anymore. You have gotten us everything, so I want you to stop before something happens to you," Kyoko replied, speaking in her usual soft tone, but sounding urgent too. It was not a command coming from her, but a plea.
"Nothing is going to happen to me," the former hero insisted, going so far as waving the very idea off with a flick of her hand. She was powerful and she was smart.
"Something could. You are not invincible nor are you immortal. You could end up in jail or worse," Kyoko argued. She did not even want to voice the "worse" part of that, but it frightened her very much about what could happen with her beloved.
"I won't, so just let it go," Shego huffed with a small frown.
"You could. Anything could happen. Not just to you, but to me as well. What if you make someone 'unhappy' and they come after me to get back at you?" Kyoko pointed out. The idea truly bothered her quite a bit. It was not wholly impossible for her to be used as bait or payback for something her beloved did and she was not sure if her girlfriend actually took either of their safety into real consideration.
"Is that what you think?" Shego turned sharply and stood up quickly. "Do you think I would ever let someone hurt you?" She glared down at Kyoko with fury in her eyes and her nostrils flared. "As if I would ever let anyone to hurt you! Whatever happened to all of that trust you had in me to keep you safe and unharmed? What the hell is going on for you to dare suggest such a thing?"
Kyoko remained calm as best she could. She expected Shego's anger, as this was a blow to her pride. "I believe you will always keep me safe, but I do not believe you have truly considered all the possibilities of this life."
Shego continued to glare. "Like what?" she snarled.
"There is little you could do if they were to show up while you are gone, which you often are," Kyoko stated while climbing to her feet, too. She wanted to remain calm, but there was so much turmoil in her heart. She did not want to lose Shego, but she was not sure if Shego had considered any of this. "You are always gone when I get home from school and you are typically just coming in when I wake up, so you just go to bed. We hardly see each other at all anymore," she added heatedly. It was like she was not even worth her lover's time anymore, like she was superfluous to Shego's life.
Turning her mouth up, Shego studied her for a long moment and then Shego relaxed a little. "Is that it? Are you lonely?"
"Well, there is that," Kyoko admitted, even though it did not negate her other points. She had been lonely for some months now. She missed her lover and often found herself curling up with Shego's pillow since Shego was not there. The aroma lingering on the pillow was a poor substitute for the woman it belonged to.
"Well, I'm sorry about that," Shego apologized, as if that would be the end of the argument. She even moved like she was going to embrace her girlfriend.
Kyoko growled and glared at Shego even harder, putting her arm out to prevent Shego's embrace. "That is not it, so do not think you can come over here and hug me to make everything all better. It is not just that I am lonely, but I want you to stop doing this. I worry for you and I am so tired of you saying that you are doing this for us."
The frown that cut across Shego's face could have destroyed a lesser soul. "I am! Why the hell else would I be doing this? I'm doing this for us!"
"No, you are not, so stop saying that. You are doing this to do it and now you need to stop before something happens. I do not want you to get arrested and I damn sure do not want you to be killed!" Kyoko practically hollered as she spoke, showing she had picked up something from being with Shego for three years at this point.
"I won't!" Shego huffed indignantly, stomping her foot and throwing her hands up. "I'm not some idiot or weakling who doesn't know what I'm doing! Everything's going to be fine, okay? I'm going to be able to provide for you forever with this, okay! So, just shut up about it!" she barked.
Kyoko was unmoved and unfazed by those words and the tone. "Shego, darling, you have given me all I need and more, so just walk away from it while you still can," she replied in a calm tone, hoping to get through to her aggravated lover.
Shego folded her arms across her chest. "I won't. There's still more to be gained. There's still more to get," she gave determined growl. "I want it all and I can get it all. I can give you everything you deserve and so much more. I could give you the world and I bet you'd shut the hell up about this."
Kyoko gasped and reeled back a little. "So, you are really in it for the money, not for us." The realization physically pained her now that it was out there and she struggled to stay on her feet. No, her Shego might actually be gone and this creature was there forever.
"I'm in it for us," Shego stated in a dangerously low tone, as if she would attack Kyoko if she contradicted her again.
They both knew it would never cross Shego's mind to harm Kyoko, especially not on purpose, but this conversation seemed to be pushing her to an edge. Kyoko did not care about that. Maybe if they got to a point, Shego would realize how far she had gone astray. Maybe Shego would come back to her.
"If you are, you will walk away because we have all we need. We can build from this. So, just walk away from it. Come back to school. Get your engineering degree like you wanted—" Kyoko said in a reasonable tone, but she was cut off.
Shego snarled. "I don't need that anymore! I don't want to be an engineer." It was as if she meant that. She probably did, but neither of them was totally sure on that. She had wanted to be an engineer from when she was a young child and her stupid older brother told her that girls were not good at science and math. She would show him, she had silently vowed back then. It did not seem so important anymore and she had forgotten the promise she made to herself as a child. Right now, she was busy showing him she did not need him to live.
"I thought that was your dream," Kyoko pointed out. She remembered that was all her girl talked about whenever they hit the school's campus, just how great an engineer she would be. There was always such a beautiful light in those emerald eyes when she mentioned it.
Kyoko wanted to see that happen. She wanted her lover to achieve that dream because she knew that would bring Shego true happiness, not all of the material garbage that she kept collecting. Shego was much too brilliant to let this pass her by.
"My dream is to be able to give you everything you want and deserve," Shego said forcefully with a fierce look in her eyes, as if that would get Kyoko to understand.
"You have, so let it go," Kyoko replied in a calm, but forceful tone of her own. That was a command.
"There's still more," Shego growled and made a fist. There was still so much more and she silently admitted she was doing something she loved. And, as long as she kept doing it, she could give her love the world and more.
"Shego, there is not anymore, so walk away. Stay with me," Kyoko implored her beloved with an aching expression in her eyes that she felt beyond her chest, somewhere in her soul. Shego was the love of her life and she did not want to be without her, but this was all too much. She could not deal with the lies, the mystery, and the possible danger to both of them. She certainly could not stand to see her beloved fall further away from her and turn into someone she did not even know.
Shego took a breath and her nostrils flared again. "What are you trying to say?" she asked through gritted teeth as she narrowed her gaze on Kyoko.
Kyoko took a deep breath and held her hand out slightly. "Darling, please, just stay with me. You walk away from this or I will walk away because you are not doing this for us anymore. You are doing this for either the love of money or the thrill. I do not want to be here when this catches up with you. I do not want be here when you are arrested or if the people you do business with come to collect."
"I wouldn't let anything happen to you," Shego insisted, making a fist. "And you said you believed that."
"I believe you would try, but most of all, I do not want to be here for you to pick your work over me."
Shego's eyes went wild and she slashed at the air. "I would never!"
With a sigh, Kyoko shook her head. "You already do it every time you leave. You know I do not want you to go, you know you do need to go, but you leave any way. Obviously, your job is more important to you than I am." The words stabbed Kyoko in the chest as she spoke them. Shego might not mean it that way, but that was how it came across.
"No," Shego snarled and shook her head.
"You need to leave this life you have made for yourself before it is too late," Kyoko stated, her eyes pleading with Shego to just listen to her and stay, but her voice ordered Shego to stay.
Shego made two fists, which popped with green plasma. Her body visibly shook. Kyoko was not sure what to make of this, but she had a feeling it was not a good thing.
"You know what?" Shego flexed her fingers while her voice actually shook. "You didn't care about this when I was taking you out to all of the best restaurants. You didn't care when I was buying all the best clothes and jewelry. You didn't care when I bought you the car. You weren't so scared then and don't try to pretend like you didn't know what the hell I was doing at the time. All of sudden I'm wrong for wanting the best for us? Like hell!" She was not going to accept that when everything was fine before.
"It was nice," Kyoko admitted easily because that was the truth of the matter. "But, I would take you over all of those things, always, even back then. You do not need to impress me, darling. I would have stayed with you through your other job. I would have stayed with you in that rat infested apartment—" she tried to explain, but she was cut off.
"I didn't want you to!" Shego pointed to herself with both hands. "You deserved better than that! We deserved better than that. All that time I spent busting my ass for this city and I never got a damn thing for it! I deserve this!"
Kyoko nodded slowly, as if she finally understood it all. "That is at the heart of the matter, is it not? It is really what you want." She wondered if she looked as disappointed as she felt. It was never about them or her, but it was all about Shego. Perhaps Shego never actually loved her and she, their relationship, had always just been an excuse to do what she truly loved.
"Why can't have what I want?" Shego demanded, glaring at her as if this was all her fault. "I've put in hard hours and got nothing in return, but kicked out of my damn home for loving a woman who suddenly wants to get on a high horse after I've given her everything a person could!"
Kyoko blinked. Wow. Those words shot through her and burned right through her heart. She almost sniffled, but held it in. She could not trust Shego with her tears now.
"So, now it is my fault that you got kicked out as well?" Kyoko asked in a calm, but small voice. Her beloved blamed her for what happened between her brothers and now Shego thought she was being ungrateful. She doubted she could not feel any worse at the moment than if Shego did slap her.
Shego gasped and held up her hands in surrender. "I didn't mean it that way!" She realized what she could end up talking herself into, or out of, namely her relationship. Maybe they meant something to her, after all, but clearly not enough. "Look, let's just drop it, okay? This is what I do. It's what got us where we are. It's got us everything we want," she defended her actions in a collected tone. She took a breath to compose herself to avoid saying something she might end up regretting.
Kyoko swallowed down a lump in her throat. "And that is why you should leave it all now. I do not know how deep you are in, but you should not go any deeper than what you have, so walk away. I would not know what to do if you were in jail or worse." She could feel tears stinging her eyes. Perhaps she would not be able to avoid crying, but it might help Shego agree with her.
Emerald eyes glanced away. "I can't just walk away."
"Is it that you cannot or do not want to?" Kyoko's voice was low, pained.
Shego was silent and Kyoko nodded. This was becoming so obvious to her that she feared it could cripple her. Three years of loving someone she thought was the best girl she had ever met and those three years were not worth Shego walking away from a dangerous, illegal activity. If only Shego just literally stabbed her in the heart. That would have been easier to deal with.
"What's more important to you, Shego?" Kyoko asked in a stronger voice than she was feeling at the moment. Part of her was afraid the job was more important to Shego, but she held onto hope as best she could.
"Doy! You, of course," Shego answered.
"Then leave it," Kyoko said firmly one more time.
That time, Shego nodded, as if she agreed and with that the argument was over just like that. Shego returned to the bed, sitting next to the brush. Kyoko had to take a moment to realize Shego had actually picked her over the job.
"You gonna finish my hair?" Shego asked, smiling over her shoulder.
Kyoko nodded. "Of course." She eased back into her space and took the brush from Shego. She cried a little as she started into Shego's hair and embraced Shego from behind. "Thank you."
Shego put her hands on Kyoko's and gave them a little squeeze. "Babe, I love you, okay? I love you."
Kyoko sniffled and kissed Shego's cheek. "I believe you. I love you, too."
-8-8-8-8-
Shego could not believe they argued over her job. Kyoko actually seemed to think she would pick to job over her. How terrible was that? Of course her girl was more important to her than a job, even if that job was a career to her now and she had been doing excellent work she loved. Still, she loved Kyoko way more than anything else on the planet.
So, Shego stayed in with Kyoko, not just that night, but all the time now. Kyoko adored this and it showed in her expression alone. She showered Shego with attention and homemade meals, mostly Japanese foods because that was what Kyoko was accustomed to making for herself.
Shego did not complain. Truthfully, she enjoyed the attention, but sometimes zoned off. She stared blankly at walls or the floor. Sometimes, her mind was clearly elsewhere, even at crucial times. Her brain just easily wandered now while she tried to ignore that underlying itch, which became more and more bothersome and demanding as time went on.
"Shego," Kyoko huffed slightly.
"Hmm?" Shego replied, not really looking at her girlfriend as much as she looked through her.
"Are you going to make love to me or continue to daydream?" Kyoko inquired with a bit of a teasing smile, even though her self-esteem stung just a bit. She was on top of Shego and topless to make matters worse. Shego was not paying her any mind at all.
"Oh." Shego blinked as if she was surprised with what was going on. She could not believe she had drifted mentally with her girl right on top of her. She turned her attention to Kyoko, even though at the back of her mind, she thought about how much she wanted to go out and break into some place with a complex security system. She liked the challenge and the thrill of success when she finally made it into some place. It would get rid of the damned itch she experienced every freaking day of her life for the past few weeks.
Kyoko hated to think where Shego's mind was. She often detested thinking about where Shego's thoughts were. She did not want to think she actually lost her beloved to illegal activities. Shego had chosen her, she told herself. Shego would stay with her, she told herself. Shego would not go out and put them both at risk. Shego was not like that, but then what made her mind wander like that?
"Shego, are you still with me?" Kyoko inquired, rocking against Shego and earning a low whimper.
Shego's response was to sit up and put her mouth to work on Kyoko's skin. Kyoko whimpered and moaned. Shego did her best to forget about the itch under her skin by trying to turn Kyoko inside out in the most delicious of ways. She loved Kyoko. Kyoko deserved her attention. She would give Kyoko her everything right now.
-8-8-8-8-
"Darling," Kyoko whispered, trying to catch her breath. She rested on top of Shego still, but she was now spent for the night. She would not be able to move and Shego did not want her to.
"Yes?" Shego caressed the small of her girl's back. The feel of Kyoko's skin was as amazing as ever and, yet, in the back of her mind, Shego thought about the other things her fingers could be doing, like cracking safes.
"I am the only one for you, right?" Kyoko asked, her hands tucked into Shego's ribs.
Shego's brow furrowed. "Of course. Why would you ask?"
"Well… because you zoned out on me right before we were about to make love. It seems a bit… odd," Kyoko pointed out. She did not want to come right out and say she was now fearful Shego might be cheating on her, as it would explain why Shego did not seem interested in being intimate with her.
"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to do that and you're always going to be the only one for me. No other human being could take your place."
Kyoko smiled; that was good to know. But, it did not explain why her beloved's mind was not in the same room as they were more often than not, especially while they were supposed to be having sex. If Shego was not thinking of another person, then what was she thinking about?
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the end.