~oO 04 Oo~

Dr. Betty Director spun her chair around just before her top agent entered her office. He was called in a half hour earlier but he was caught having to handle an urgent task that delayed his arrival. He walked into her office on the hour just as Betty began seeing flickering messages in her cybernetic eye.

'KEEP YOUR DISTANCE'

'STAY AWAY'

'DON'T REMOVE IT'

The words brightened and faded, nauseatingly so, for the eleventh time in the day. It was 5PM, another warning, another reminder. The torturous glow remained and intensified for a full minute before disappearing. Betty tightened her fist, enduring the sharp, searing pain in her skull.

Wade managed to create something that took some control of it. The malware couldn't do much given the limited time Wade was given but it served its purpose. First, as a warning, preventing any engagement with Shego and Kim. The second, providing the intense yet bearable pain every hour on the hour. Lastly, it was insurance to get the strings, Shego needed, pulled to teach at Kim's school. The strings pulled to remove her notorious criminal record and also had the added benefit of keeping Betty distracted. Shego and Wade did, however, allow five hours of pain-free rest, but only to maintain her sanity. The last thing Shego needed was for Betty to make a bad decision due to lack of sleep.

Only a few more days remained. She'd give Shego what she wanted and the pain would be taken away. Or, so help her, Betty was going to vent. And venting meant lives.

Agent Will Du waited for a command and the reason why he was called to her office. He was still, rigid, obedient, never questioning his superior. That's what a top agent would do.

He stood there staring at the back of her chair after he announced himself. He assumed she was deep in thought and allowed her time, for as long as she needed. After a full minute passed, with her chair still turned to him, she began.

"Agent Du, updates," she commanded her subordinate, finally. Her office overlooked a large room filled with desks and agents behind them. They faced a wall that housed a large screen that shared data between teams. Troop count, casualties, locations of terrorists, most wanted lists, and whatever else was needed for reference at all times. She watched the teams below work quickly and diligently to execute various orders and missions simultaneously. But she only cared about one particular item that hung over her head. The whereabouts of both Kim and Shego. It was obvious that no new information was available, but she needed to hear it. She needed to know nothing changed.

"Possible is attending classes without fail. Shego, unknown. Last seen in Go City with Kim. They appear to be traveling at supersonic speeds in an unidentified aircraft. We assume Shego is near Kim Possible, but her exact whereabouts are unknown. The suspected aircraft cannot be tracked at this ti-"

"Fine. Continue surveillance. Dismissed." He turned and exited her office. Betty continued fuming silently, You're full of shit Shego.

~oO0Oo~

Dr. Kang, a renowned chemist known for his research in metallurgy was on his way to refining a new hybrid metal. Something that would withstand immense heat, endure the toughest impact, and flexible enough to mold. It was going to revolutionize various industries from construction to home computing. The possibilities were nearly limitless. That was, until, Dr. Kang and his daughter went missing. Around the same time, scientists of different practices and close relatives were disappearing as well. It was peculiar with no clear motive. When it became too much, authorities turned to Global Justice.

Betty walked into an underground lab in another facility with two armed guards who casually kept their distance from her. A guard per exit sat with assault rifles in hand and an armed medical team stood on standby should any scientist cause any accidents..

Researchers, exhausted, were lined up behind microscopes, computers, and other metallurgical analysis equipment. All wearing GJ branded shirts and pants. A few of the staff dared to stain the logo off. But Betty didn't care. She only had one goal in mind.

She approached, "Is it ready?" Her voice was firm but calm. She turned her back to them and faced a standing whiteboard, among several others, littered with notes and formulas. Her presence alone left her researchers uneasy and being unable to read her face only made her more threatening.

A pause, too long for the already irritated commander, she began to turn around until one finally answered. Dr. Kang removed some of his protective gear and set his tools aside, "We need more time. It's unstable. We're doing everything we can. We're making progress. It just needs more time." He spoke with wavering confidence, weakening more with every word.

"When?" She slowly walked to the computers staffed with more nervous researches running simulations. They froze to her approach.

"A-a small prototype in three weeks, maybe two." He spoke softer, "Maybe two."

Dr. Director was silent for a minute, unreadable, stiff. She walked to the exit without a word.

Dr. Kang whimpered a question, "Can I see her?"

"Not until it's finished. But I could always bring her in as a corpse if you insist." Her eye met his and narrowed to drive her point. The researcher's breath exhaled in a shudder. "Get to work Dr. Kang." She left.

~oO0Oo~

Betty returned to GJ headquarters and sat at her desk. She ground her teeth nervously. A feeling of both anxiety and fury. She had been notified to wait for a call. Her shadow-phone finally rang in her locked desk drawer. A phone she wished never utter a sound, never to be answered, never to be expected to ring, but it was and it did. She answered the call, "I'm here," and she waited silently.

"You have… a situation, it would seem." The caller's voice was eerily deep that seemed to croak each word slowly. His sentences would always end with a sharp intake of air. The hiss appeared mechanical as if he had no choice but to breathe every six seconds. "It would be in your best interest… to resolve this… situation." Another sharp hiss. Betty waited, he would often pause, but he wasn't always finished and detested being interrupted. Her missing eye was a clear reminder to never make such a mistake again. "Two… two of my facilities are no longer operational." Betty flinched at every hiss. "One of them taken by a single fucking girl." His voice gurgled as he was unable to raise his voice. He took a moment to calm himself and continued, "Your past services have served me well and in return I will-" a sharp hiss, "allow you time." He ended the call. Betty held still, listening to the silence before putting the phone back on the base. It was rare, but in moments such as this, Betty was afraid.

~oO0Oo~

On campus, Kim was on her way to leave and meet up with Shego. Classes finally ended and she looked forward to heading back home. Kim heard something in the distance behind her but dismissed it initially. It wasn't until footsteps sounded like they were getting closer did she start feeling a little alarmed. She quickened her pace a little to confirm. In a quick moment she was on high alert. Shit. Kim thought she would confront the follower head on but dialed Shego on her Kimmunicator instead. Best case scenario, it was just another student wanting to ask her something. But worst case, she needed Shego. Shego quickly answered. But before she could greet her, Kim spoke first, "I think I'm being followed. But…, but I might just be imagining it. I don't know."

Shego instantly focused, "Head to the library, I'll track you and anyone else following." Shego brought up thermal surveillance on the ship's controls and quickly flew to Kim's location. She hovered, tracking anyone that might be taking the same path as Kim. "Kim, slow down. No one is near, don't let on you know." Shego watched her gradually slow to a walking pace. One was following. Shego changed to infrared and instantly recognized the follower. "Go inside. It's Gwen. I don't see anyone else following you. I don't trust her."

"Gwen? Why didn't she text or call me? It's probably fine."

"I'm warning Wade, he'll be on standby. Wait for her. I'm getting out and I'll be right behind her." Shego moved the ship over the roof, set it to hover, and got out. She ran and darted over the edge, and jumped from awning to awning. She stayed within the shadows. She controlled her breathing, snuck up behind Gwen, and followed her through the entrance without a sound. Shego hid behind some shrubbery and waited.

"Kim! Gaaahd, why are you so fast? I've been trying to reach you." Gwen rasped as she caught up with her. She briefly hunched over with hands on her knees to catch her breath.

"Gwen? Oh, what's up? You could have texted me. We could have met somewhere."

"Phone's dead, I can't. I dropped it down the stairs. So pissed at myself. Been waiting for you at the dorm so I could tell you. But you never came and… you didn't show up to lunch either." Gwen felt she started an unnecessary rift between them.

"But I sent you... oh right, phone's dead, doy," she closed her eyes in a squint with the realization.

Gwen shyly prodded, "Yeah, so, you weren't avoiding me?"

Kim assured her, "No, of course not. It's just been Shego, we really needed some time together." Kim offered a smile, "We've had a lot to catch up on."

With some relief, "Okay…, I just really wanted to apologize for what I said. I was only joking without thinking and I'm sorry, Kim. And Shego, I want to apologize to her too. I'm just scared of her…" She realized that might have been offensive too, "... Sorry."

"Thanks, I'm sorry too. I overreacted, I think it was just bad timing. Something really… big happened to me this past summer. It wasn't good but she made everything better. And she's not so bad but I get that you don't know her like I do. She really is a good person. Great actually." Kim smiled to herself, feeling lucky to be with her.

"Okay, Kim, I trust you. I can't help but be uneasy around her though. The media made her out to be a terrorist for years. It's just embedded in my brain but I'll try to force that thought away. Where is she by the way? I'd think you two would be glued together with the way you greeted her yesterday."

Shego decided it was safe enough to slip in and come out of the shadows, "I'm right here actually."

Gwen screamed and shuttered in place, "AHHHHOHMYGAAH-YOU'RESOCREEPY!" Gwen took a moment, swallowed, "I'm sorry, you were so quiet, you surprised me."

"I came in a few minutes ago to meet with Kim after classes, I didn't want to interrupt. You won't need to apologize anymore, that was just too good."

"Shego, be nice." Kim gave her a light glare.

Gwen began to back herself towards the door slowly, "O… kay, umm I think I'm going to head back now, change my underwear…, maybe cry a little." She offered a nervous chuckle, "Kim, see you around?"

Kim chuckled back, "Definitely, probably not until next week though. I want some more time with my green bean."

"Alright, see you guys."

"Bye bye, Gwen." Shego forced her best fake smile she could and turned to Kim after Gwen exited. "Kim, are you okay?"

"I'm okay, really. I'm just glad I didn't need to hurt anyone."

Shego took a moment to assess, "Okay, " another, this time to calm herself, "We're up top." Shego led Kim to the roof entrance and a bit hurriedly. She remotely lowered a ladder from the ship as her eyes scanned the area, "Up you go." When they both climbed in, Shego grabbed Kim and hugged her tightly. Kim could feel Shego's pulse beating rapidly in her throat against hers. "I will always be there for you. Always."

"Shego?"

"I need to tell Wade we're okay." She released Kim and dialed Wade. "Wade, we're good. Maybe it was a false alarm. I want Gwen Stevens followed. Get Mego on it."

"Right away, Wade out."

"Shego. What the hell? It was just a false alarm."

"I want to be sure, there's no harm in that. For all we know, she could be a sleeper agent."

"Shego that's ridiculous."

"Is it? I'm not taking any chances. She came up clean before, it doesn't mean she is."

"Sheg-"

"No chances!" The stare she gave, it scared Kim, it let her know she was hiding something.

Kim gently placed her hands on Shego's, "Alright, Shego. No chances." Kim ran her hands around her back and hugged her, "I'm okay, we both are." Shego nodded, calming slightly. "I'm going to drive okay? I still technically haven't piloted my ship yet."

"Okay. Take it slow, it's impressively fast."

"I remember." Kim got into the pilot seat. "Alright, strap yourself in, no guarantee this will be a smooth ride." She smirked.

Shego tightened her belts. No smile came from her, still calming down from the thought that a particular agent would be stupid enough to get close to Kim.

~oO0Oo~

"Kimmie, sweetie, why are we following the highway?" Her voice wasn't as kind sounding as the question.

"Um, I don't know the global position of the house."

"Kimmie," a pause, "you should have asked." Shego leaned over and put in the coordinates. "Go there. You can switch to entering a street address too."

"'Kay, yeah, I just know basic controls. You seemed… tense. It didn't feel like a good time to ask. Anyway, here we go." She accelerated to her destination.

"You're adorable."

Kim could see Shego was still uneasy, but good enough to ask for a status, "Are you okay?"

"I'm better."

"Shego, that's not really what I asked."

"I was scared… of what I was going to do. It would have ruined everything. The corruption runs deep. I don't want you thinking about this right now. Just let me shoulder the burden for just a few more days. Let me get Monday out of the way."

"Shego, your thoughts are everywhere. You're not showing me you're okay."

Shego took a moment, looked at Kim, "I'm not."

"Okay. Let's call Dr. Shrinkner when we get in." Shego nodded slowly.

Kim was almost thankful she was in the dark for most of the information that Shego hid from her. How deep is deep?

The rest of the commute was spent in silence. Shego was left trying to calm herself down, suppressing any horrifying thoughts that invaded her mind and desperately tried to remove Kim from being caught up in it.

~oO0Oo~

"Let's try a schedule then."

"A schedule?" Shego asked, unimpressed with the advice.

"Both of you need to do things outside of this… mission, as you call it. And you need to follow it consistently. Find some common ground, outside of fighting and the mission, between both of you and share it together. Even if it's only a half hour a day. Keep it up, same time, and try not to let that time-block get interrupted. The key thing here is to establish a safe and welcoming ground for both of you to enjoy. Include friends and family, or don't, so long as it feels right to both of you, it'll work in your favor. Does that sound reasonable?"

Kim slid her hand to hold Shego's and looked at her for confirmation, "You could teach me to cook like you."

The suggestion brought a soft smile from Shego. She turned to look back at the video call and nodded, "I think we can manage to schedule something."

"Great. Keep me posted ladies." Dr. Shrinkner smiled at them as she leaned in to disconnect, "Kim, I'll see you on Tuesday."

"Actually, can we umm…"

"Another reschedule, Kim?"

"No, no, I want to bring Shego with me. If that's okay? Both of us could use your help."

"I'll cover the costs doc."

Dr. Shrinkner nodded, "I know you will. Alright, I'll see you both then." She smiled and signed off.

Shego turned to Kim, not really feeling any better. Shego suddenly brought her Kimmunicator out, but Kim quickly covered it with her hand, "They'll tell us if there's a problem." She stared into Shego's eyes with a concerned smile, trying her best to abate her fears.

Shego slowly put it down and nodded. Flashes of her worst fears appeared before her and she winced at them even though she was staring at the woman in front of her. "I… I'm-"

Kim was having the same fears about Shego, but she forced them down, as deeply as she could. She wondered if her parents felt this way whenever she went on her missions; a possibility of not returning from some of them. She broke from her thoughts and interrupted Shego's, "Shego, I want to know how to make that dish you made me last night."

Shego took a long breath, knowing exactly why Kim made the suggestion. She swallowed hard and exhaled her answer, "Okay." Her voice was dry and almost coming out as a whisper. She wanted nothing more than to spend time with her lover without worry. "Okay." She repeated, this time ready to move. She huffed at herself. "I only have a little bit of lotus root left, so don't screw up." She offered a smile attempting to subside her wary thoughts but it was clear she was still having trouble.

Kim gave her a warm hug before she shifted to get up. She held her, "I'm safe, you're safe, there were no mistakes, and you did great. You protected me." Kim kissed her neck and receded to look at her. She cupped her jaw and softly kissed her lips. "Now teach me."

Shego's nerves actually began to settle. Not so much by Kim's words, it was just Kim. "Mm, okay, gimme one more of those and we'll start."

Kim smiled and went in for another kiss, lasting a little longer, a little deeper. "Hmm, now?"

"One… one more."

Kim gave her a quick peck, "More after, 'kay?"

Shego dropped her head in disappointment, "Alright Pumpkin, not exactly something you can cook in a dorm, but since you'll be coming back here, that's not much of a problem anymore."

~oO0Oo~

Kim walked into her bedroom very disappointed.

"It wasn't… bad… for a first try, Princess." Shego tried her best to make Kim feel better.

Kim glanced at her with a narrowed glare, "I liquified some parts and some didn't cook through."

"But the flavor… was-"

"It tasted like soy-vomit and pepper-spray." She sat on the corner of the bed feeling a little defeated.

"Kimmie, it's okay, I'll pick up some more root and we'll try again." Shego sat beside her, rubbing her shoulders.

"You said I needed to get the wok really hot," Kim whined. "I didn't watch you before, if I watched you, it would have been good!"

"I know Cupcake, I know."

Kim pouted, "I'm sorry for ruining it."

"Always with the face! Why are you so adorable!?" Kim huffed a small chuckle in response. "You know Kim, you could have won a lot of our fights if you just started with the pout." Shego hugged her from behind and dragged her to lie down at the head of the bed.

"Haha, I'm pretty sure I did win those fights. Somebody, always ran away, and it wasn't me." Kim smirked as she held the arms that were wrapped around her.

"Mmhm, yeah, the way I see it Kim, those were unfinished fights your little buffoon interrupted by bringing the whole lair down."

"Pff, as if! It was your 'genius' that rigged the whole lair to come down with a push of a button. Who does that?"

Shego snickered, it was an audible snort through her nose, "It was still an unfinished fight."

Kim spoke between mock coughs, "SoSquawksTheJailBird," she laughed at herself and turned to look up at Shego. She received only a glare with a wavering smile. "You're going to punish me for that aren't you?" Kim smiled brightly at her, knowing full well she may have crossed a line, but not too far.

"You better believe it. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to get those panties, give them a quick wash, watch you put them on, and send you off to your classes. I'll teach a lesson you won't forget."

Kim tensed, almost forgetting about those overnighted panties. "Shego," she spoke slowly, "we talked about this."

Shego chuckled, "Yes we did, and you'll be fine, but it will be a punishment." She then spoke in a sing-song voice, "You'll see."

"I'm trusting you, Shego. I really can't afford to miss these classes tomorrow." Kim worried as she was only met with a more devious chuckle. Deep down Kim knew this was part of her punishment, but failed to relax. Psychological warfare was Shego's realm.

Shego sighed happily, "You're gonna learn so much tomorrow." She could feel Kim was more nervous than she wanted her to be. She just wanted to tease her. She sighed again but this time with a bit of annoyance, "You don't feel like you trust me, Kim. Would you relax? I already told you I'm not messing with your school." Kim did finally become less tense. "But you're still getting punished." Kim only grunted. "Hey, you lost a bet and you were mean." Kim turned around and pouted again, but Shego responded immediately with a kiss. "And…" she started, "... you owe me more of these."

Kim kissed her back. "I said more after you teach me, I don't feel like I learned anything." That didn't stop her from kissing her again.

"Agree…" another kiss, "...to disagree." A bit of pause as they both enjoyed the calm between them, "Let's get ready for bed."

"Mm, 'kay, " Kim gave one final kiss with a delighted smile and off she went to the bathroom, Shego followed on her heels.

As they both finished their routines Shego crawled into bed and accepted Kim in her arms. Kim didn't protest Shego's tight squeeze. Instead, she only hugged those strong arms just as tightly.

I was really scared today, Pumpkin, and I don't DO 'scared'. "Should we test your punishment on the way to school, or do you prefer to be surprised?" I can't let you be a part of this. It's too soon. 'Never' would be a gift.

"Shego, come on." She softly whined.

Shego breathed Kim's hair, taking in her scent. I will never let you go, I will never lose you. Her arms tightened with a barely noticeable tremble. Kim noticed but let it be. She dragged her fingers gently over Shego's arms and fingertips. "I'm going to get up early tomorrow to get the package, I won't be long. I may even be back before you wake up." She gave a kiss on the top of her head. "But in case you do wake up, that's where I am."

Kim grumbled her response, "Erm, fine." She continued stroking the woman's arms as a question decidedly entered her mind. "Shego, what's it like? Your glow, I mean. I remember when I had Hego's strength. At first it was dizzying and my skin crawled. But then, everything just felt like wet cardboard. Punching a ten inch thick stone wall was unreal. I just flexed and everything seemed so possible." Kim was curious, but she asked mainly to distract her bigger spoon and allow herself to breathe. "But you're able to ignite… is 'ignite' even the right word?"

Shego was silent for a moment. Her delay made Kim think she shouldn't have asked such a personal question. She opened her mouth to apologize, but shut it again, realizing it might agitate her. Luckily Shego did continue, "Ever wonder what it's like to have a tail?" Kim made a very brief and confused noise. "It's like that, I can't really explain it since you don't have my glow." Kim nodded once slowly and Shego knew she wasn't satisfied with that answer. "It's like flexing another muscle you never knew you had. It gets hot-"

"Doy." Shego slapped the side of Kim's butt hard. "Ow!"

"Don't interrupt." Shego cleared her throat, resumed holding Kim, and continued, "It gets hot, but I don't feel it. Or rather, it feels like wind with a tingle that's not a tingle."

"It's neat."

"I'm just a circus monkey to you aren't I?"

"I was gonna go with helper mon-" Another swift smack on her rear, "Ow! Still sore from the first one!"

"And I can see it hasn't taught you anything… yet." She began caressing Kim's posterior gently. "Pumpkin?"

Kim was quite enjoying Shego's wandering hands, "Mm-yeah?"

"I'm never going to let you go."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

"Good." She nuzzled her nose into Kim's neck and spoke a little softer, "Good."

Pretty short chapter - I just couldn't make words go.

Anyway, Chapter 05 is a total fluff chapter. I mean, it's Kim's punishment and the whole chapter is about that. A little disappointed with myself. I'm desperately trying not to write "like a man." I'll try to get that chapter up next week. A lot is going on this week for me though, keeping me very busy, and ultimately, very tired.