Chapter 4: College Tours
Paring: KIGO. (Stay away if you don't like.)
I do not own Kim Possible, it and all related characters are the property of the original creators, not me.
This story is owned by me, Mereel Skirata.
The breakfast table is bustling as we walk in.
James is pottering around, clearing away the dirty plates, while Anne packs away the various cereals, juices and bottles of milk.
My brothers seem to be planning something, writing and scribbling on a piece of paper, heads bent in concentration.
The quick glance I get on the way past the table, shows plans for an electronic device of some kind, apparently using parts from a tv, toaster and stereo.
I shake my head, as I prepare to make breakfast for us. Whatever they're up to I don't care and don't want to know, so long as they don't use MY stuff to do it.
I'm going to make some toast for me and Shego, when I'm handed a plate already stacked with it.
Mum must have heard us coming down and prepared it for us.
Shego's already grabbed our favourite toppings, honey for me and peanut butter for her, as I take the seat next to her and we both tuck into the stack.
Anne takes the seat opposite us, now that the twins have rushed back upstairs, pushing 2 glasses of orange juice our way.
I glance at her, more specifically at the collection of papers under her arm.
"Mum, what's that?"
An odd look crosses her face, kind of like the look I get when I've been caught sneaking another piece of cake from the fridge. Strange.
"Well, Kimmie, you said that you were thinking about college applications, so I asked around and got some information for you."
I take the papers, quickly leafing through them, "You rock mum. Hey, wait. These are all for the University of Upperton."
Mum is now folding up the washing, her face suspiciously blank.
"Really? Wonder how that happened?"
"Maybe an alumnus did it? Mum?"
"Okay, so maybe I pulled a few strings. We could pay them a visit today, if you like. See the campus. I'm sure the Dean would love to talk with you."
"Sure. Might as well start somewhere."
"Great. Upperton University has a great variety of courses, including a wonderful pre-med program. So, we could leave in about an hour?"
I'm lounging on Kimmie's bed, my head resting on my hand, idly flicking through one of Kimmie's magazines, as she routes around in her wardrobe, which is tricky, since she has to use one hand to hold her crutch.
She's been trying to pick out an outfit for about 20 minutes now.
Tossing another shirt aside with a frustrated sigh, she hobbles to the bed and collapses onto it, dropping her crutch as she does so.
"This is hopeless. I just can't do this. Nothing seems right. And I really want to make a good first impression."
I shift aside, letting Kimmie rest her head on the pillow, as I lie next to her, one hand gently stroking her hair.
Her eyes drift shut, relaxing under my touch.
"Maybe you're thinking too much about this, Princess. You have to find something that looks smart, but that you're comfortable with. Nothing to flashy."
I smile. I forgot that Shego had already been to college. So, she's been through this already.
"Well, I'm still drawing a blank. Maybe you could..suggest something?"
I can feel her turning the puppy dog pout on me.
"No need for that, Pumpkin. Just let me work my magic."
As I look through the piles of discarded clothes, Kimmie asks me another question.
"Maybe, maybe you could come with me today? I really would feel better if you were there. I have absolutely no idea what to look for in a college."
"Sure. Anyway, how about this?"
I hold up a pair of white chinos, a blue sleeveless shirt, a pink sweater and a set of lacy white bra and panties.
Kimmie looks over the outfit, her mind s eye seeing her wearing it.
"Looks good, but that underwear is a little..sexy, isn't it. I mean, I was just planning on wearing something simple. It's not as if anyone at the University is going to see it."
Shego grins, as she hands over the clothes, "That's not for them, Kimmie. Just a little something for me."
I stand, taking my weight on one leg and Shego's body, via my arms wrapped around her neck, softly kissing her on the lips. A kiss that Shego returns equally softly.
Kimmie pulls back, looking deep into my eyes, as hers fill with gratitude, love and a few tears, slowly leaking out of the corners.
"I think I'll keep you around."
A hallway, dark and deserted, until a small pinpoint of light appears at one end, rapidly growing larger, as a security guard makes his rounds.
Not that he really feels that this place needs guarding.
This place, the Advanced Scientific Academic Centre, is just a boring little University, on the edge of an equally boring little city.
Who could possibly want to steal anything from here?
Had he been a few seconds slower in his rounds, he might have been in a position to find out. But then it would likely been the very last thing he found out.
As he turns around the corner and moves out of sight, a ventilation grill is yanked upwards into the ceiling and two figures drop down through the hole that it left.
The shorter figure lets out a gleeful laugh.
"Ha ha. The plans for the Hyper energy core should be in one of these rooms, unguarded and just waiting for us to steal it."
A brief pause follows this, before the larger figure responds, "But, Great Blue, you have all of Warmonger's deadly and powerful weapons at your command. Why do you need this lowly earth technology?"
"Earth technology isn't that bad. It might surprise you. And anyway, the hyper energy core is perfectly designed for my needs. And please, stop all this 'Great Blue' stuff, just Doctor Drakken will do."
Dr Drakken stalked off, peering at the signs on the doors, trying to make out what they said despite the lack of light.
"Anyway, with all of that alien tech, you couldn't even bring a flashlight."
Just as he said that, a bright purple light fills the hall, the staff Warmonger had been holding now glowing at both ends.
"Aha. That's better. Now, let s see. Dr Mitchell. Dr Mitchell. Here it is.
Warmonger, break this door down."
A kick from her is all that it takes to snap it like so many twigs, the sound shattering the silence.
Shouts from the guards can be heard, along with hurried footsteps, as Drakken rushes in, quickly leafing through the papers on the table, his face breaking into a grin.
"Got it. Let s go."
Together with her mother, Kimmie and I walked into the University Grounds.
I just sort of tag along, as Anne and Kimmie walk side by side, the older woman pointing out and describing the various buildings that we walk past or around.
I hold back my opinions. If Kimmie has a question for me or wants some advice that I can provide, I'll gladly tell her what I think. But, until then it's better if she makes her own decisions.
Still, I don't like the look of the buildings, too much like a hospital for my taste. The design is too plain, too utilitarian, almost sterile really.
That's not to say that University buildings always needs to have a flashy, decorative, covered in art deco crap, but a bit of passion or life around the campus always helps.
This place, just plain stone walls, is about as dead, as lifeless as you can get. Maybe because it is primarily a medical school, that could have something to do with it.
But then, the buildings probably aren't the main interest for Kimmie.
From the quick glance I got at the prospectus, they do a good range of science based courses, that I know Kimmie enjoys, but they all seem to have a medical focus, which she isn't so keen on.
As we turn around the corner of the last building, heading back towards the main building and the Dean's office, I jerk my head around suddenly, staring back behind me.
I just got the feeling that I'm being watched.
I can't see anyone obviously focusing on me, but anyone could be concealed behind the flow of traffic moving along the road.
Hell, it could just have been someone catching a glimpse of me from the windows of one of the other buildings.
The feeling has passed now, gone as quickly as it came, maybe I was imagining it.
I turn back to Kimmie, she has already reached the central building, and I have to run to catch up, hearing Anne say something about a meeting with the Dean as I do.
"This is a great opportunity, Kimmie. He doesn't usually see students personally, so you can really wow the staff before you start."
Kimmie is scared, just a little, I can see that. I squeeze her hand, as we approach the office. She squeezes back, accepting my offer of comfort.
"Here we are, Kimmie. Good luck. You can thank me later."
Taking a deep breath, she steps through the door.
As it turns out, Shego wasn't imagining things. Someone was actually watching her, as she and the two Possible's explored the campus.
Even if Shego had managed to see where that person was, all she would have seen was a tall figure, standing next to an expensive silver car, just staring at her.
This person had actually been following the trio since they left the house this morning, and for the past few days as well.
She continued to stand exactly in that spot, despite the fact Shego had moved out of her line of sight, not moving until her cell phone rang, dragging her attention away from Shego, as she glanced at the caller ID.
"Good morning, Dr Director. What can I do for you this fine day?"
Dr Director's tone is harsh, she is in no mood for social niceties.
"Cut the bullshit. Are you still in Middleton? You are. And have you seen her yet?"
"Of course I've seen her."
"Right. And you've talked to her." The sarcasm in her voice, makes it clear what Dr Director thinks of that.
"Well, no. Not exactly."
Betty's voice softens.
"Isabel, you've been in Middleton for two days now. And if I know you, and I DO, you've been following her around. So why not talk to her?
Cause, if you won't, you might as well just leave and stop torturing yourself."
"You're right. I know you are, but I don't feel that I can just leave it like this. Just ..Just give me a little more time. I know what I said last time, about the bad blood between us. And maybe that still stands. But..things have changed, you know that. And this could be the last time I actually see her, before...you know."
"Alright, just take care of yourself."
I sag back, resting on the living room sofa, a hot cup of tea in my hand, my injured ankle is killing me after the day s activities.
Shego and Anne are busy in the kitchen, preparing tonight s supper, as James sticks his head around the door, seeing that he has managed to grab Kimmie on her own.
Not an opportunity to be missed.
He sits down, trying to act all nonchalant.
I'm not fooled for a second.
"So, Kimmie-cub, would you happen to have some time to spare for your dad tomorrow?"
I think I can guess where this is going, but I ask anyway.
"Sure, dad. What for?"
"Well, I thought you might like to come and see my old university, since you've already been to your mother's."
He says that last bit just a little louder than necessary, obviously intending mum to hear it.
"No big, dad. Sounds spanking."
I'm not sure that it will be.
But then mum's wasn't, and I still went.
So it's only fair that I go to see dads as well.
At that moment, thankfully, the Kimmunicator beeps. Grateful for this distraction, I answer it, Wade's face flashing up before me.
"What's up, Wade?"
"Sorry to bother you, Kim. But I thought you'd like an update on something. Drakken struck twice today, hitting two different Universities. No idea what he stole yet, but Global Justice is investigating that. I'll keep you posted on what they find. Just be careful Kim. He obviously got something big in the works."
Shego joins me on the sofa, wrapping an arm protectively around my shoulders, "I'll take care of her, nerdlinger. Don't worry about that. And don't worry about her, either. Let Drakken come. I can take anything he can throw at me."
Wade gives us an encouraging smile, if he is upset by the nerdlinger comment, he doesn't show it.
"Alright. I call you later."
Kim shuts down the device, sitting back in the chair. She's thinking about Drakken.
I turn her face towards me, hand gently cupping her chin, pulling her out of her thoughts.
"Kimmie, don't worry about him, okay? Let Global Justice deal with this, okay."
Her face is conflicted as she answers, displaying the trouble of her heart.
"Can we Shego? Can we really? Do you think that any of Betty's agents, or Betty herself, could handle Warmonger?"
Shego doesn't have much personal love for Global Justice or its Chief, the sarcastic use of her first name makes that perfectly clear, but she is well aware of their combat abilities; abilities she considers as she mentally compares them to Warmonger.
"Alright. Maybe not. But do you think we could. Seriously Pumpkin, we tangled with her for less than five minutes, barely laid a punch on her. And look what happened."
I point at the cast around Kimmie's ankle.
"We could have gotten off much worse, you know. It would be best if we just leave it alone."
"I thought you said you weren't worried about anything Drakken could throw at you."
"Drakken, yes. Warmonger, no. Just let it go, Princess. Just concentrate on getting better. Choose a University. You have your future to decide."
Her face brightens, just a little.
"Yeah, you're right. We don't have to worry about it now."
Kimmie leans against my side, pressing her head deeply into my shoulder.
"Forget it, Princess. Find someone else to be your pillow."
Despite my words, I do nothing to make her stop or push her away.
Kimmie's needs can be so powerful, sometimes. So much so that some people might call her childish, selfish or needy. But not me. She just knows what she wants and will do anything to get it.
So I'm not surprised when she loops her arms firmly around her waist, resting her chin on my neck.
I have to move with the energy she puts on me, leaning against the arm rest of the chair, turning Kim over as I move backwards so she can rest more comfortably, the back of her head on my chest.
I give in, one arm around her waist now, as hers lie by her sides, my other running over my hair, distracting, shielding her, from the concerns that would enter her mind.
"No way." Kimmie mummers sluggishly. She's failing asleep on me, just from resting here.
"No way. You..my pillow. Only you."
"Yeah." I whisper softly, my lips pressed next to her ear, my breath stirring her hair. "keep telling yourself that, Pumpkin."
Never mind what I said, I do actually enjoy this. This feeling, that I can make Kimmie feel this way, so safe and protected. I swear, here and now, to God or any higher power that may be listening, that I would do anything to keep her safe.
Kimmie is fully asleep now, her breathing slow and deep. Just listening to her is making me sleepy as well.
I take one last glance at Kimmie, her face so relaxed, before my eyes slide shut.
Anne peeks into the living room, spotting the pair sleeping soundly, cuddled against each other.
"Hey, James. Come here. Take a look at this.
He arrives at my side, a smile crossing his face, just a small one.
"It's sweet, really. Isn't it."
Anne nods, "Yeah. We should get a picture of this."
"What. Without asking them. Without telling them. "
He sounds disapproving.
"Sure. Why not?"
He smiles wickedly, "Lets get my camera."
Next morning, Shego wakes first. Her consciousness slowly trickling back, as her eyes crack open. Just a slit at first, but then slowly more.
Now that she is awake, her eyes turn towards the redhead, sleeping next to her. Or still sleeping, to be more accurate.
I shake her gently. Her only reaction is to shift a little, as if trying to escape my hand. I shake her more firmly, drawing a moan from her, but doing nothing to wake her.
So, lets try this.
I press into her, one arm snaking around her waist, holding her to me.
"Time to get up, Kimmie."
She still doesn't stir, so my other hand traces down her leg, which is drawn up almost to her chest, stopping on the sole of her foot.
Lightly, my fingers run over it. She giggles, but not much beyond that. Still, I got a reaction. So I try again, using a little more pressure this time.
She squirms, trying to escape, but can't.
Her laughter is sweet, almost musical to my ears, but she still hasn't woken. I can't maintain the contact, she keeps kicking my hand away.
So I move my hand back up to meet its partner, lifting Kimmie's shirt, just enough to expose her midriff, before letting my fingers run over her exposed skin.
Kimmie doesn't laugh this time, she practically shrieks, her eyes snapping open.
I stop tickling, but my hand still hovers, threatening more to come.
"Come on, Princess. Time to get up."
"No. Not yet. More sleep." She replies sleepily. Or mock sleepily, maybe. She even has the nerve to close her eyes again.
So I start to tickle her again. Her body bucks instinctively, as she tries to move her sides away from my fingers. No luck, my hold is too strong.
When I stop this time, her breath is coming in ragged gasps, she's been laughing so hard.
"You gonna get up now, Pumpkin?"
"Maybe. Maybe not."
Before I can react, Kimmie twists in my grip, breaking free and trying to push me back onto the bed, obviously looking for a little payback.
Can't be having that, I grab Kimmie's shoulders, trying to get some leverage of my own.
We wrestle back and forth, until Kimmie throws one hand up, knocking my right off her shoulder.
She grins in triumph, until I push on her left shoulder, using her momentum to send her sprawling sideways. But her hand snakes out, pulling me with her, we tumble together off the side of the bed. I find myself on top of Kimmie, one hand on the floor, which I used to break my fall.
The other is on Kimmie's breast, her naked breast, suddenly bared to the air. Her loose shirt must have got knocked off her shoulder in the tussle.
I can feel the hard point of her nipple pressing into my palm, so I pull my hand away, suddenly feeling self conscious, as I stand hurriedly and help Kimmie back to her feet.
Feeling strangely embarrassed, for no reason I can fathom.
It's not as if I haven't regularly been that close to Kimmie, since I moved in.
Hell, we've both been naked in the shower together, more than once.
So, why did that one bit of contact feel so..strange.
Good somehow, but strange.
I ponder these questions as we take a shower.
I wash myself first, then Kimmie, since she seems to have fallen asleep on her feet, just relaxing under the jet of hot water.
Kim, however, is not as relaxed as she seems. Her eyes may be closed, but she is not asleep, far from it.
Her mind is as confused as Shego's.
That one touch on my breast, Shego's pale skin warm against my own, was electric in a way that she couldn't begin to understand.
She would gladly feel that again, but how does Shego feel.
Was it just an accident?
Did it feel as special to her, as it did to me?
She certainly doesn't seem bothered by it, her face relaxed in a sort of peaceful concentration, as she lathers shampoo into my hair.
After we have showered, dressed and eaten, Dad drives me and Shego to the college grounds.
"Middleton's Institute of Science and Technology." He declares proudly, as we arrive at the first stop on his tour. "M.I.S.T. My old stomping ground. And this is Chemistry Lab 32A, the first lab I ever blew up. Not the last though, oh no. Maybe one day, you could evacuating a chemistry lab on this very campus."
I try to be supportive, but Shego doesn't seem so inclined.
"Yeah, great. What the hell is so great about blowing something up."
"Now, Shego. Science is based as much on failure, as it is on success.
You must fail to go forward."
"Uhuh. Yep. You screwed up didn't you. Mixed up something you shouldn't have."
I hide a smile, as I listen to the banter. Much as I should defend my dad, Shego is probably right. That does sound like something that he would do.
Before we can move, the Kimmunicator switches on, Wades face filling the screen. He looks really worried.
"Go, Wade."
"Kim, Drakken's hitting another University."
"Okay. Where is he? Tokyo University of Science? Oxford? Cambridge? M.I.T?"
Wade's answer makes me understand his concern, "No. About 30 feet from you. Computer Lab 35T."
James directs the Kimmunicator's screen towards him, "Ohhh, impossible, Wade. That lab is top secret. You can't walk in."
"Dad, his sidekick is an alien, over 2 metres tall and as strong as five elephants. Maximum security kinda goes out of the window with that"
I turn the screen back to me, "Wade, tell me you informed Global Justice."
"Yep. Doctor Director is sending out an assault team right now. But, Kim, you should get out of there. Don't fight Warmonger again."
Shego is in absolute agreement. "Nerdlinger's right, Pumpkin. And I don't want to get caught in the middle of a GJ commando raid."
I cast my eyes down to my crutch. I know that they are right, but I don't like to just flee, even when I have no choice.
I move to limp out of the lab, but Shego won't allow that.
Knowing that we have to move faster, she scoops me into her arms, tossing the crutch to my dad.
I wrap my arms around her neck, taking some off my weight from her, as we run down the corridor.
We both had the same idea, to quietly sneak out by the main stairway.
But as we passed a fire escape, James decided it would be better to leave that way.
Alarms start to ring all through the buildings, as soon as he breaks the seal.
We both share a glance and sigh. We can't really fault him, he did pick the most direct route, just not the most subtle.
Shego turns back, following him. Drakken and Warmonger will have heard these alarms by now and making to leave.
We'll just have to beat them out of here. I pick up my pace, adrenaline born from fear for Kimmie adding energy to my legs, as she clings harder to my chest.
Good. I don't want to drop her, especially down the hard steel steps that make up this fire escape.
She's been hurt enough.
When we reach the last flight, I leap over the low railing, dropping the short distance to the ground, landing with legs bent, making ready to run back to the car.
Too late. The wall of the next building explodes outwards in a mass of dust, shards of glass, clumps of masonry and..WARMONGER, plunging through the centre of the maelstrom, Drakken tucked under one arm, a large heavy metal box under the other.
Drakken doesn't look or sound happy, that s for sure, not if the fact that he is screaming at the top of his lungs is anything to go by.
Warmonger places Drakken on the ground, he can barely stay on his feet.
She, however, doesn't even seem fazed.
Drakken doubles up, clutching his stomach, before throwing up.
A series of dry heaves follows after his stomach has emptied, before he can even climb back to his feet, his face a very pale blue now.
"Warmonger, could you, uurrrgh, could you warn me before you do that again? Or better yet, NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!!"
He pauses in his shouted rant, as he catches sight of us.
"Kim Possible. And Shego, my former sidekick. How nice to see the two of you again. Well, not so nice actually. Can't I go anywhere without bumping into you. I mean, is one Kim Possible free mission too much to ask?"
"Lets hope so." I quip, as Shego stands. This is not shaping up to be good. Shego can't fight while holding me and can't use her plasma either. Neither is she going to leave me, I can see that in her face.
She ducks behind the stairs, the metal buckling with a massive clang, thanks to Warmonger's fists. She tries to move around to the other side, just trying to keep some distance until Global Justice arrive.
But we both underestimated the speed and power of Warmonger, as she effortlessly leaps over the stairs, crashing down in front of us, the impact causing Shego to lose her balance, dumping her on her butt.
But we aren't the only ones in for a surprise, as a figure leaps at Warmonger, her feet catching her squarely on the head, driving her back a few steps.
The figure has her back to us, so we can't make out too many details; long black hair and a stylishly cut grey suit are all we can see.
The suit doesn't seem to slow her down though, as she easily evades or counters Warmonger's attacks. Not blocking them, though. Somehow she knows about her strength and durability, either dodging a strike or diverting it's energy, never meeting the force head on.
She is being equally careful with her attacks, only targeting the soft areas, like the chest.
Warmonger snarls, leaping away, drawing her staff, energy building around the ends as she extends it, arcing over it.
Our rescuer looks apprehensive at that.
Luckily at that moment, more help arrives, in the form of three Global Justice helicopters, flying in a triangle formation, dropping rapidly.
The pilot of the lead chopper draws away from the other two, opening up with the nose mounted gattling cannon, bullets ripping into the asphalt, blowing a line of holes in it.
Sadly none of them rip into Warmonger, as she dives out of the way.
But that does buy enough time for the other two choppers to land and deploy their troops, who quickly form up into two lines, the first kneeling, assembling a series of rocker propelled grenade launchers, the second standing behind them, rifles already firing.
Definitely not a formation that we want to be on the other side off.
Our rescuer has had the same idea and turns around, quickly making her way over to us.
Her face burned into my eyes as she does so.
All of the breath is knocked out of my body. I would have collapsed, had I not already been on the floor.
I can barely speak, but still manage to get one word out.
I whisper it so softly that I'll bet that only Kimmie heard it.
"Mother?"
Yet, that one word is so emotional, so full of pain and memory as a single word could be.
END
Next chapter: Shego becomes withdrawn and angry. Can Kim bring her back to herself.
Sorry about the long wait, work is taking a lot out of me and I don't have as much time or energy to write as I would like.
Anyway please review and I will gladly accept any suggestions you have.
Until next time,
Mereel Skirata.
Once again, the character of Shego's mother is based on Isabel Gooding, created by StarvingLunatic, not me.
If he has a problem with this, I will alter it to remove her.