Disclaimer: If, by the seventh installation of this story, you haven't figured out that I don't own Kim Possible or the Teen Titans… you might be a redneck. *shakes head* I can't believe I just made that joke. I must be outta my mind. I also apologize in advance… lots of dialogue and thinking… oh the thinking…
Chapter 7: Reflection (or Confusion, It's A Good Thing)
"Good catch, Shego," Robin muttered, watching the screen as Cyborg tracked Commando's transmitter, heading northeast. While the Titan had initially thought her comment one of her typical snide remarks, he was surprised to learn that his questions were indeed being answered.
"Whatever, gel boy. Look, can we go to bed now?" Shego stretched, trying to work out some of the stress from Kim's body. "I think we've been 'on duty' long enough."
"Yes, Shego, you, Kim, Beastboy, and Raven can go get some sleep. You too, Cyborg, you need to recharge," Robin made a dismissive motion as those he listed off started heading for their respective sleeping quarters. "Oh, and Raven... thanks." He gave a small smile to his friend, which made Beastboy cock an eyebrow in curiosity.
"I gave Starfire an idea on how to... celebrate their anniversary."
"So that's why they were gone on that 'mission'! I knew it!" Beastboy smiled triumphantly as the two headed down one corridor. Kim and Shego headed their own way, replaying what had happened just a few hours ago, the first time they tried to retire. Kim was working up the courage to say what she'd been thinking earlier while Shego was considering a similar request. However, as they entered the hallway, Shego gave up her consideration, failing to see any logic to it.
"Good night, Princess," Shego said rather flatly, running a hand through red locks as she trudged down the hallway.
"Shego, wait!" Kim called out, ready to roll the dice. I think I might have a gambling addiction... "I, uh, think we should talk."
"Can't this wait until morning?" Shego groaned, not wanting to get lectured on whatever Kim felt like talking to her about. She assumed it couldn't be good.
"No, Shego, it can't... I keep telling myself I'll deal with it later, but every time I say that, I catch myself wondering when 'later' is going to get here," Kim felt strange speaking to her own turned back. It probably made it easier though; she doubted she could say what had been on her mind since her talk with Raven if it was Shego's backside she was staring at. Then again, it was hard to say anything when she was staring at the emerald woman's backside. Focus, Possible! "I want... I want to talk a-about, um... us."
~Common Room~
"If you guys are so sure, why don't you do something about it?"
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Drakken raised a brow at the blonde girl, a slight smile to his lips. Ron was listening from the kitchen, trying to decide what cereal to have for breakfast. "That we try to set them up?"
"No, no, I'm just..." Terra sighed, running her hands through her hair. "I think it might take a little push, is all. They obviously have issues expressing themselves, issues they've had for years, if what you both say is true. I realize this is a pretty drastic situation- they both nearly died a few times over today- but if this isn't enough to make them change, they might need your help!" Terra shrugged, glancing at the recently replaced window that had been shattered by Commando's dramatic escape. "Never really know how much time is left... don't you think they deserve to be happy?"
~Raven's Room~
"It's all coming together now, isn't it?" Beastboy's tone was low and sad, violet eyes staring out the window. Raven sighed as she wrapped her arms around him, wishing the ray would wear off quickly. She missed his hugs and kisses and it just wasn't the same being in his body.
"Yes, Gar, everything is falling into place. Soon, it will all be over."
"I never thought it would be this hard. It hurts, Rae, knowing what's going to happen and being unable to stop it. I know it's for the best but I just feel so guilty, and angry, and sad, and-and!" Beastboy turned and buried his face into her chest, crying uncontrollably. "Wh-what's with these emotions! I-" he sniffled, trying to control himself. "-I feel like I'm on a roller coaster!"
Raven smiled, knowing exactly what had the inner changeling all riled up. "It's just a side effect, Gar."
"Side effect of what Rae?" she kissed his forehead and laughed.
"Get some sleep. We'll talk about it when you wake up."
~Back to the Hallway~
"Y-you what?" Shego whirled around, facing her own body, trying to keep the surprise and whatever else was trying to worm its way to the surface out of her voice. Oh God, it's finally happening, I'm losing my damn mind!
"A couple days ago, I was talking to Raven," Kim tried tricking herself into thinking she was talking to a mirror. It almost worked. Almost. "See, she knew I was upset and thought she could help me. She did, in a way... uh." Kim bit her lip, suddenly second guessing the wisdom of her actions. Damnit! I had this planned out! "Shego, I-I respect you, as an equal and I know that's all I'll ever be to you. Nothing... more. I know you hate being a hero, even if for just a little while, and I just... couldn't be a villain, it's not in me. But..." Kim closed her eyes. She'd completely lost her train of thought. Where the Hell am I going with this?
Say it, Shego. Say you could deal with being a good guy. Say it'd be worth it! Shego opened her mouth to let the words go but couldn't find the guts to say it. World class thief and supervillain and you're reduced to mush by a teenage cheerleader... if your career wasn't over before...
"I just wanted you to know that, despite everything, and maybe because of it, I... I..." Love you! I love you, damnit! Come on Possible! "...really... respect... you." She finished lamely, averting her eyes while mentally kicking herself. Kim Possible, globetrotting heroine and complete, utter idiot. The ring of truth is devastating.
"Oh... thanks... back at you..." Shego turned back towards her room, silently thanking the Gods she didn't speak when she had the chance. That would've blown up in my face... Respect is good... but maybe... "Uh, Kimmie..."
"Yes?" Kim asked, hopeful that maybe Shego had understood what she was trying to say despite her inability to say it.
"Do you... trust me?" Shego was still facing away, unsure if she wanted to face the redhead at all.
"With my life." Kim deadpanned without hesitation. I trust you with my heart too... if I could just find the damn courage to tell you! Again the redhead tried to work up the guts to tell her but failed.
"Good... I trust you too..." Shego worked hard to keep her composure. "We make a good team..." And we'll never be anything more... but at least she trusts me... that's almost as good as love...
"We really do, Shego," Kim whispered. Damnit! I can't walk away from this empty handed! I need... something! "You know, we should sleep in, uh, each other's room. Just in case." Where did my brain go? On friggin' vacation?
Shego sighed, rather heavily. "In case of what, Princess?" I swear she's doing this to torture me.
"If we come under attack, we'll at least have the appearance of being ourselves. It might buy us a few seconds. Or we might wake up our normal selves, so we'd wake up in our own rooms." The reasons were flimsy at best but Kim desperately wanted one night in Shego's bed, if for no better reason than to fall asleep inhaling her scent, something she obviously would never get a chance to do otherwise. If I can't tell her, at least I'll have... something more... just something...
Little did she know, Shego was considering that very notion herself. Just one night in Kimmie's bed... would make this entire ordeal worth it. Realistically, it was a stupid idea and they were both aware of this. They'd seen what happened when Death was confronted with something 'unexpected': she retreated. The smartest thing would be for the Titans to all change rooms, especially with Commando joining forces with the other horsemen, and use the confusion to their advantage. But logic didn't come into play during this exchange. This was about something else altogether, something more dire than the threat of annihilation. Obviously, my priorities are way out of whack… "I, uh, guess you have a point, Pumpkin."
Oh… Thank God that worked! "Good. Uh, g-good night," Kim nodded and brushed past Shego to enter the emerald woman's room. Once safely inside, Kim sighed and made her way to the bed. For just one night, I can pretend we are something more...
Kimmie... why can't you see? Shego sighed and turned, entering Kim's room and almost throwing herself on the bed, utterly exhausted in every sense of the word. Despite the time spent lying in the ICU, Shego felt like she hadn't rested in well over a month. Rolling over, she stared up at the ceiling, a colorful mix of purple and pink, a small blotch of green hanging from a string. Is that mistletoe? Leave it to Kimmie. Her room is so damn cheery. It's not that bad though. She conceded, feeling herself slowly slip into slumber. However, before she quite reached it, the door opened.
"Look, we need to talk." Buffoon, one of these days, I'm going to nuke you.
"She's not here, next room over," Shego replied in a tired voice, covering her face with one hand.
"I'm not looking for Kim. I'm here to talk to you," Ron stated, taking up the most intimidating stance he could muster. Intrigued, Shego sat up, running her hand through the red locks she'd always admired.
"If this is about getting thrown out the window-"
"This is about the two of you being completely oblivious to each other's feelings!" Ron practically yelled, silencing Shego rather effectively. "KP is my best friend. We've been best friends since pre-k which, I'll save you the math, is over fourteen years. We even dated, if you recall. I've seen her crush, and be crushed, fight impossible odds, laugh in the face of danger, fall in love and have her heart torn out, I've seen her cry and smile, angry and happy, depressed and loving, I've seen every side of KP there is to see, except for ONE!" Ron held up a finger to accent his point, muddy brown eyes glaring at the body of his best friend. "There is ONE side I have only seen from afar, ONE side to her that she only shows to ONE person, the person she's been in love with for years but was too damn stubborn to see it herself. Because to everyone else, except this ONE person, she's either the world saving cheerleader, the world's best friend, the world's greatest daughter, or whatever family tie applies, or she's the world's kindest teenager. But there's ONE side of her they don't know about! This ONE side is the side she shows to YOU, Shego!" Ron Stoppable, the buffoon, had managed to stun Shego, the world's greatest thief, speechless. "That ONE side is when the two of you fight, because that's the only time Kim looks complete. Think about it. She has a super genius who can make her any weapon at her request. Which means that, for the past four years, she could've asked for a freakin' dart gun, or, Hell, a damn taser, to shoot and stun you, and stopped Drakken's plans without even breaking a sweat! You wanna know why KP never did that?" Ron marched up to Shego and stared into the bright green eyes of his best friend from a mere three inches away. "Because she sees you as her other half. The yin to her yang. The cheese to her nachos! You are her equal and Kim has never seen someone as her equal. She's never seen herself as 'normal' because, hey, let's be honest, what 'normal' kid says she can do anything, gets called to deactivate a laser security system, and does it?" Ron stepped back, heading towards the door. "I don't know what you think your feelings are for her, Shego, but frankly, I'm damn sure I know what they are." Had she not been present for it, Shego would not have believed the absolutely terrifying glare Ron Stoppable gave her. "Either get the guts to tell her how you feel or get the Hell out of her life. If you can't give her the love she deserves, give her the chance to find it elsewhere. And before you even think of calling me a liar, check the mirror."
A few minutes passed as Shego stared at the door. Check the mirror? Bright green eyes searched for the vanity mirror she'd noticed the first time she saw the redhead's room. Jerkily, feeling almost numb, Shego approached the site and just stared, seeing only Kim's reflection. Then, she looked down, and gasped at what she saw. Where most young women her age put their makeup, Kim had newspaper clippings spread out. Not just any clippings either. Ones showcasing the new dynamic duo of Shego and Adrena Lynn. Surprising close ups and angles, as Shego never recalled seeing a camera's flash, but in every shot, the two of them were smiling. Both were cocky smirks or smile or grins, a hint of smugness in those faces, like they knew they were the baddest gals on the planet. We are, aren't we? One Hell of a team. Unstoppable. Unbeatable. Perfect. Could it be that simple?
~Shego's Room, Same Time Ron Entered Kim's Room~
"Drakken, Shego's-"
"In your room, I am aware of that, Kimberley," the blue skinned scientist waved her off, walking over and sitting next to her on the bed. Much like Shego, Kim had flung herself into the green and black comforter, hoping she would never wake from her slumber once it started. Okay, this is weird. He seemed to hesitate before speaking, which struck Kim as particularly strange. "Okay. Speaking as a completely third party observer with absolutely no personal interest in the matter-"
"You stole that from She's the Man," Kim pointed out, keeping her defenses up. Drakken just laughed.
"Good, you're still sharp despite the rather tumultuous day," Drakken looked at her, and for the first time, Kim felt like he was looking at her like a daughter rather than the spoiler of most of his plans. "I'll go ahead and skip the pointless preamble and head straight to what you need to hear." Drakken sighed heavily. "Before you came up to us at the party, Shego was telling me she was turning in her two weeks' notice as my assistant. Now, while I initially thought it was because she didn't like leaving the villain scene, I have talked to her a bit since then. And other Titans. You two... fighting each other had always been an accomplishment, right? It was something the two of you looked forward to, I know that. As time wore on, when I was trying to take over the world, Shego became more critical of my plans. I thought that was to discourage me, but, as Shego is one crafty woman, I realized it was to entice me to act out more often. It gave her more opportunities to be with you."
"But Shego-"
"Shego probably loves more than she'll ever be able to express," Drakken cut her off, getting off the bed and heading for the door. "She'll never admit it though. She's too stubborn, too strong. She would hate the idea of making you weak. Of betraying you, in some way. For all the dominance she might display in other areas, she's going to need you to take the reins. You'll have to step up and go to her if you want to make things work. I'd do it soon, if I were you. You never know when it will be too late. You already almost lost her once. Could you stand for it to happen again?" With that, Drakken left, leaving the teen heroine too stunned to do anything. Shego loves me? No, it's not possible, too good to be true... or is it? She thought back to the promise they made before entering the East tower. I tried so hard to tell her... I know what I feel... I know what I want... but is it right? Will it last? Kim got up and noticed the full length mirror in the corner of the room. It was Shego's emerald eyes staring back at her.
~Out in the Hallway~
"I think that went rather well. Kim seemed most receptive to my advice," Drakken smiled, though it fell slightly as Ron calmed himself down. "Please tell me you didn't do something stupid."
"Hehe, well," Ron rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "I figured she'd understand 'anger' a little better than sympathy or compassion."
"You realize she's going to fry you, right?" Drakken crossed his arms, moving down the hallway back towards the common room.
"Not if I say it was Terra's idea!"
"You're going to throw your new girlfriend under the bus like that?"
"Oh no, I got this worked out. See, Shego won't blow up at Terra. Starfire, maybe, but not Terra, probably just throw a glare and be done with it," Ron Stoppable sighed, following the good doctor. "Besides, it's either that, or I say it was your idea."
The times he'd seen Shego angry flashed before the man's eyes. "... I agree; she wouldn't be mad if she knew this was all Terra's idea."
~Shego's Room / Kim's Room, Same Time~
The buffoon is lying. Kimmie... is Kimmie. My Princess. She's loyal and trusting... I can't let her know... One mistake and I'll break her... I can't lose her again...
Shego, why can't I tell you how I feel? I can admit it to myself, to Raven, but why can't I say it to the only person who matters? And there's still the problem of what happens when we go back home...
But what if it is true? What if we could be something more than friends? More than teammates? True partners... is that even possible?
Then again, what if it all ends tomorrow? At least I'd have a few hours with her, right? And if I really die, like Raven said, then I'd just have that brief time... but it would be so worth it.
Anything is possible for a Possible. We could make it work. I could do this, be a good guy, for her. I'd be willing to change... but would she accept me if I changed? She fell in love with me as a villain...
Isn't that selfish though? Could I put her through that? I die tomorrow, she lives another thirty years cursing herself for not protecting me... if she doesn't know, she could move on quicker. She'd be stronger if she wasn't looking out for me too... Could I make her weak even if it made me stronger? Am I that heartless?
What am I talking about, it's Kim! She'd accept me no matter what. She's big hearted... then I'd be a weakness to her. Like today. But no, Kim would've jumped out that window no matter what, even if it was my body falling. She'd jump out of a window to save that obnoxious brunette Junior is dating without hesitation. That's just who she is... but I could help her, keep her safe... protect my Princess
We could be strong together though. We could make it work... I... could maybe learn to steal. Hell, I had to steal that recipe to keep Drakken from stealing it. That wasn't so bad. One heist every now and again... maybe a Humanitarian mission every now and again... I'm sure we could live comfortably without stealing often... God, Hell must have frozen over; I'm considering becoming a villain! For her though... for my Shego... but, if I went bad, would I still be her Princess? Of course I would... but even if I told her...
Could I even tell her?
Would she even believe me?
The two young women stared at the reflection of their beloved, steeling themselves to say the words they'd kept secret in their hearts. Simultaneously, they opened their mouths... but no sound came. After a minute of trying, both turned away from the mirrors in disgrace.
I can't tell her...
I can't do it...
Kimmie...
Shego...
I'll always love you... but I'll never be able to say it...
I'll always love you... but I'll never be able to say it...
Shego turned away from the redheaded reflection, feeling her heart break in half. The fear in her was too great to overcome. She would never be able to live with herself if she betrayed Kim's trust. Despite her recent actions, she still liked stealing and would be happy once her stint as a hero was over. She would end up destroying her Princess. She refused to let that happen. As she flopped back onto the bed, Shego let her mind wander, running her hands over the body that would never be hers, in any sense, the young, beautiful body of the teen hero she would always love. I could always slip out of this uncomfortable uniform... and just happen to take a peek... I could do it and she'd never even know... Shego sighed, interlacing her hands behind her head. Kimmie wouldn't do it though... I guess it's just one of those things I'll never know...
Kim had stayed staring at the mirror, not wanting to turn away. It was tearing at her that she would never be more than the woman's adversary, her challenge, her enemy. No matter what she felt otherwise, Kim knew that she would never have a chance with the emerald goddess. It just wasn't in the cards. Emerald green eyes scanned the luscious form the mirror depicted, knowing by the look of the suit that it came off the same as hers. I could take a quick peek; see what I'll never get to touch... Shego would do it, right? Like she hasn't already, I bet you that's what she's doing right now! The thought brought a smile to Kim's lips. Well, turnabout is fair play.
I wonder what Kimmie's up to... probably sleeping. Shego thought, idly running a hand across the material covering the redhead's stomach. Oh how she wished to see the skin beneath that purple and black fabric. Come on, you can do this! Think about something else! Shego closed her eyes, trying to imagine something other than waking up next to the beautiful redhead.
Oh God, she's a Goddess... literally! Kim's mouth dropped open, eyes roving over the reflection. Beneath the green tinted skin, Kim could see Shego's muscles ripple, her skin reacting to the cool air with goose bumps, looking more gorgeous than she could ever have imagined. She was staring, burning the image into her mind, praying she would never forget this sight. Shego... God, do you even know how amazing you are? Kim closed her eyes and sighed, wishing this wasn't a onetime sneak peek she would never get again. But all things come to an end. Some a bit sooner than one might expect.
~Common Room~
"... so Shego might be a little mad, but hey, I think it was a great idea, Terra," Ron chirped as he shovelled some cereal into his mouth. Terra just stared at him.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you think this was my idea? I said you guys might need to talk to them, I didn't say barge in there and give 'em lectures!" Terra replied defensively. Drakken just shrugged.
"How about this; if either of them is unhappy with the turn of events, it was our idea, and if they are happy, it was your idea. Sound fair?" Drakken took a big sip of his cocoa moo knowing full well he was lying. If Shego barged in upset, he was high tailing it elsewhere, end of discussion. Terra sighed, shaking her head.
"You guys are going to deuce it the minute Shego comes barging in here, ready to rip someone's head off. I can feel the plasma burns already..."
"Friends! Are you saddened by the loss of Commando?" Starfire floated over, holding a huge bowl of what looked to be chocolate pudding. "I grieve for our lost friend. I hope she might return to her good senses soon. I do not wish to fight her. Here, take a spoonful of the Pudding of Sadness to ease your grief."
"Well, I do enjoy pudding," Drakken smiled, reaching for a spoon as Ron did the same. Terra thought about warning them but, remembering how dead she was going to be when Shego finally showed up (Hell, Kim might even join in too), decided it to herself. She could be quite vindictive, when the mood struck.
"No thanks Star," she gave the alien a heartfelt smile. "Everyone grieves in their own way."
Whatever response Starfire had was overshadowed by Drakken and Ron's shouts of horror. While Drakken downed his cup of cocoa moo, Ron dashed to the kitchen, looking for something to soothe the pain in his throat and gut.
"Oh! That's just-just wrongsick!"
~Kim's Room~
Where the Hell did that mistletoe come from? Kim wondered briefly before panic started rising within her. She was looking at the ceiling. Her ceiling. Not the mirror she'd been standing in front of a few seconds prior. Which means I'm in my body... and that means... Kim bolted upright, fear evident on her face. She's going to KILL ME! As if to confirm her fears, a voice, filled with rage, echoed into her room.
"KIMMIE!" Oh, I am SO dead! Kim didn't even think to rush to her door and lock it. Not that it would have helped anyway. Instead, she leapt to her feet and waited for the enraged woman to come; trying desperately to find the words that would lessen the wrath so rightly directed her way.
A few seconds after the howl of anger, Shego barged into the room, her hands aflame in green plasma. Taking Com's advice, Shego had Raven pick out a bathrobe for her, one that was the same green as the rest of her room and came to about her mid thigh. For the briefest moment, Kim remembered what was under that skimpy robe and her breath caught... then she remembered she was about to die and snapped her bright green orbs to the emerald ones glaring daggers at her.
"WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?" Shego demanded, stalking slightly closer. "THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUNNY? TAKE A LITTLE PEEK? WHAT, PRINCESS, DID YOUR CURIOUSITY GET THE BETTER OF YOU?" Shego was outraged. After holding herself back, to open her eyes and see herself standing nude in front of the full length mirror? Her anger was beyond words. And I'm worried about her trusting me! "WELL! SPEAK UP!"
Kim looked to the Heavens, praying for the wisdom to know what she should say. Of course, with that, only one idea filled her mind. Well, Possible... might as well go for broke... the worst she can do is kill you, right? Kim returned her gaze to Shego. "You really want to know?"
"DAMN STRAIGHT POSSIBLE!" Shego roared, her anger still in full swing.
"Not at all," came the subdued reply. Kim approached the woman, steeling herself for the only course of action she could think of. Shego was ready for a punch or a kick, something to distract her while the redhead ducked out of the room. She wasn't ready for Kim to grab hold of her robe and yank her forward, bringing their bodies together as Kim crushed her lips to Shego's. The shock extinguished her plasma lit hands and caused those black painted lips to part in a surprised gasp, which Kim took advantage of and let her tongue slip in to claim the older woman's mouth. It was beyond unexpected and, yet, pure bliss. The world suddenly melted away. With the initial wave of shock over, Shego began to return the kiss, her now harmless (well, as harmless as Shego gets) hands reaching up to bury in that fire red hair, her tongue dueling the teen's for dominance as the kiss deepened. How much time passed? It's impossible to guess and neither party cared. When it finally came to an end, both gasping for air as their hearts raced, Kim took a step back, nervous to meet those intense emerald orbs. Where the Hell did that come from? That... that... was amazing! Damn!
"You, uh, you're standing under the mistletoe." Kim pointed to the ceiling and immediately wanted to kick herself in the face. You idiot! You shouldn't have said that! Now she's going to think-
"REALLY, POSSIBLE, really?" Shego tried to scream and failed, her anger dying with each word. "What is this, Tease Shego Day?" Most of the anger was gone now, replaced by a terrible sorrow. Kim felt her heart tearing at the broken look on Shego's face as she started to frantically shake her head.
"No, Shego, no, but... it gave me the courage to..." Kim sighed and turned around, fists clenched, thinking that her gamble wasn't going to pay off. She'd lost. Somehow, the knowledge she'd just lost it all gave her the ability to say the words that had been stuck in her heart for so long. "Shego... I know you look at me as your... your challenge... Your Kimmie, your Princess, the woman you've claimed as your adversary... that I'll never be more... it kills me. I... so badly... want to be with you, Shego." Kim's voice but she held her tears back by sheer force of will. "Just like I'm your Kimmie, you're my Shego. Here, on the same team, I feel... so close to being complete. I want us to be together... but you hate being a hero and I... would try to be a villain for you, but it would just destroy us." Kim took a deep breath, trying to desperately keep herself together. Her voice refused to cooperate and her body was trembling. She was afraid this would happen but there was no turning back. "I don't want to lose you, Shego, but I know this can't last forever. We'll eventually go home... and I'll lose you again..."
"Lose me?" Shego's voice was barely above a whisper. "Kimmie, you left me!"
"W-what?" Kim balked, not expecting for Shego to interrupt her, especially not sounding so hurt.
"After we defeated the Lowardians, you quit! I tried..." Shego sighed, running a hand through her ebony locks. "I tried living without you and I couldn't. So I went out of my way to get you back in the game... because I didn't think I'd be anything but your nemesis, your challenge, and I couldn't stand losing you. But you're the one who left me, Princess."
"I-I never meant..." Kim could fight it no more as she turned around to face the emerald woman, tears falling from her eyes. "I never meant to hurt you, Shego, I swear."
"I know... how does the saying go? 'You always hurt the ones you love'?" Shego laughed derisively. "Guess that's only partly true."
"No, it's all true," Kim was surprised how steady her voice sounded despite the emotions raging within her. Quickly wiping away her tears, Kim met those shimmering emerald eyes. "I do love you, Shego. I have for years."
Shego stared at the redhead a moment, trying to process the information. She loves me? She loves me… Kim Possible, Princess… loves… me… She wasn't exactly sure what to feel. Relief, of course, joy, sure, but… confusion too. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"
"I just... didn't think we could ever be together. You enjoyed your job with Drakken so much… I never pictured you giving it up for someone like me, a goody goody hero. I just didn't think it was possible."
Shego bit back the urge to use the redhead's family motto. The silence settling between them started to grow, making Kim shift uncomfortably, expecting some sort of response from the woman staring at her. All she got was a soft 'I see' before settling into silence once more. Finally, those emerald orbs narrowed slightly. "How does any of this explain why I was standing naked in front of a mirror?"
Kim winced, hearing the disappointment in her tone. "Well, I figured if I couldn't be with you, the way I want us to be, then I would do the next best thing. I decided to take a peek and bask in the glow of a Goddess," she swallowed, unsure how Shego was really reacting. On the surface, she seemed upset, but the redhead couldn't see beyond those beautiful emerald eyes. "A-and I kissed that same Goddess so that for a moment, just one moment, I could pretend that I, Kimberly Ann Possible, the girl who can do anything could, just for that moment, pretend she had everything she ever wanted." Kim stared at the ground, certain her pleading fell on deaf ears.
"Why, Kimmie?" Shego subconsciously raised her hand to gently trace her lips, remembering the intensity of their kiss.
"Why what, Shego?"
"Why does the moment have to end so soon?"
"B-because," Kim squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold back the tears once again attempting to escape. "Because I can't ask you to stop being who you are... you like to steal things and do whatever the Hell you want. And I'm so thankful for that, because every crime you committed just brought us closer together! But I can't be with you, knowing you're off stealing something, and not feel guilty. It's programmed into me! I want to look past it, look the other way, let you continue to do whatever the Hell you want because you'll be mine... but it would kill me... just like if I asked you to join me, to become a hero, save the world... it would eventually destroy you. And that's something I can't bear to do either..." Kim stopped trying and let the tears fall again. "There's no way to make it work."
"Maybe not... but why stop at just a moment?" Shego stepped forward, enveloping the younger woman in her arms as she regained her usual teasingly seductive tone, planting a seed of hope in the younger woman that was blossoming quickly. While the emerald woman was still a little miffed about the entire ordeal, it occurred to Shego that the two women had switched roles, temporarily. Kim was the one who took the step out of bounds while Shego stayed the course of the straight and narrow. Yes, it was just once, but didn't that mean something? That maybe, just maybe, they could make it work by finding some common ground, a happy median? I know I've been thinking it… the question is, am I thinking clearly? Shego knew she wasn't thinking one hundred percent clearly at the moment. She was fighting to keep her building lust in check. Considering she was standing in Kim's room in a short bathrobe and nothing else after the redhead had kissed her passionately, who could blame her? "We could have all night, if you want."
"N-no, Shego," Kim's voice almost cracked as she refused, hope dampened, though she made no move to escape Shego's arms. "I don't want just a night. I want more than that! B-but the moment we go back..."
"Princess," Shego whispered, taking hold of the younger woman's chin and lifting those shimmering bright green orbs to meet hers. Knowing what would come next, she leaned down and placed a kiss on those soft pink lips, not nearly as heated as the one Kim had given her, much softer and sweeter, and all too brief. My last little joy... It hurt, the words she was about to say, but maybe it would help Kim... move on, as Ron had pointed out. "I don't do relationships, Kimmie. They take a lot of work, a lot of energy, and they always end badly."
"No they don't! My parents have been married for years! So has Ron's!"
"They weren't international thieves or globetrotting cheerleaders either."
"So? Look, how about we make a compromise?" Kim was getting desperate. She'd come so close, was still so close, if only she could make Shego see. Please, for the love of God, just hear me out!
I know I'm going to regret this... damn that 'hope dies hard' bullshit! Shego sighed, releasing Kim's chin and looking away, though she refused to let the redhead go quite yet. "What is it, Princess?"
"Let's just try to make this work! Give it one shot and then, if- when we go back to Middleton, you're free to walk away. No strings attached," Kim bit back the vile taste in her mouth. This wasn't how she wanted things to go but it was the only road she had left to take. "We'll be together here and never mention it again. I'll go back to being the globetrotting cheerleader who chases the beautiful international thief around the world." She had to visibly swallow as she finished, wishing she'd never have to say the next words. "You can think of it as a... a string of one night stands, if that helps."
Kim buried her head in Shego's chest, snaking her arms around the woman's slender waist. While she wasn't about to use her ultimate weapon, the puppy dog pout, she was going to do damn near everything else in her power to keep Shego rooted to that spot. The emerald goddess rested her chin on top of Kim's head, trying to think of Kim's proposal like a high stakes robbery, looking at all the angles with cold calculation. It wasn't working. She wanted it too bad and she couldn't bear to see Kim in so much pain. She's right here... she wants this as bad as I do... she's the only person I really trust... I've come this far on the hero side... maybe we could make it work... and if not, I could walk away, for her sake... "Kimmie... we can try, just... don't be too hard on me... alright?"
Kim couldn't help but chuckle. "Don't worry, Shego. You'll see... relationships aren't as bad as you think."
"Maybe you're right Princess... we'll see."
~At the Water's Edge~
"Okay, so here's the plan," Ron reasoned, pointing across the water to the City. "The moment we see Shego coming, we start swimming. If she tries to come after us, then we let the squids take us down below for a merciful death. Sound good?"
"Yes!" Terra and Drakken replied, nodding vigorously. They had heard Shego's cry of rage, though they didn't hear what she actually had screamed, and assumed it had to do with them. They thought logically: at least this way they were prepared for the world of hurt yet to come.
~Common Room, a few hours later~
Raven, still in Beastboy's body, was sitting at the table drinking some green tea when her boyfriend stumbled in, gripping his stomach and looking a bit paler than her skin usually was.
"Feeling alright, Gar?"
"Ugh, no! Somethin' must be, urg, wrong with you, Raven. I woke up from a sound slumber just to puke!"
"Yes, well, morning sickness does that to you," Raven replied calmly, hiding her smile behind her mug. Beastboy got from the door all the way to the table before her words hit him.
"Wait, morning sickness? Isn't that only-"
"Yes."
"So you're-"
"Yes"
"With my-"
"No." Beastboy, stunned beyond words, stared at Raven in complete horror until she cracked a smile. "I'm kidding. Yes, it's yours."
Beastboy blinked a few times before throwing his hands into the air, a wide grin on his face. "I'm gonna be a dad!" Instantaneously, a loud crash reverberated through the Tower. As well as the angry voice of one very ticked off metal teen. "Oops."
"Nice."
~Titans' West Medical Bay~
Kid Flash moaned, blinking quickly as he tried to get used to the light. He could still feel the phantom pain in his calf from where the energy scythe bit him, though Cyborg had carefully cared for it. The wound would be healed soon, and with the shots and vitamins lined up, he knew he would regain the muscle mass in no time, though running might hurt for a few weeks still. Oh well; he'd saved Ron's life and that was all that mattered. He tried to sit up, see if there was any food nearby, but couldn't, a weight laying across his chest and stomach prevented him from moving. Looking down, the speedster couldn't help but smile at Jinx, curled up on the bed with him, her head resting on his chest as she squeezed his midsection tight. He felt a little bit like a big yellow teddy bear, not that he was complaining.
"You were afraid of losing me, weren't you?" he whispered, tucking an errant purple lock behind her ear. "Don't worry, babe. I'm not going anywhere." He chuckled, looking around the sterile ICU with a grim smile. "I think that's a bit literal too."
~Roof of Titans' Tower~
"Everyone grieves in their own way," Robin muttered, staring across the bay to the city. He felt so... guilty. Knowing the Hell his team had endured while he locked himself in a cozy hotel room at a ski resort in the mountains... it just didn't sit right with him. But he knew he needed the break from everything. However, with the night's events, Death's promise and Commando's... War's defection, it was almost impossible to look at this like any other situation. This would take all the strength the Titans had... but today was not the day to call them. He'd sent out the reports, of course, alerting the various teams and solo heroes of the danger they all faced. He would have been concerned about using the devices, remembering the Brain's plan had revolved around acquiring one of the communicators, but War's had gone offline a few minutes after she stopped moving. Part of Robin wanted to believe she was still Commando, still the Titan who had been horrified to learn of her creation. The other part, however, could only think of Slade and Terra, of Brother Blood and Cyborg, Trigon and Raven… Red X and himself. Yes, they had overcome the darkness and proved themselves true Titans, but they had almost destroyed everything in the process and slipped through by the slimmest margins. He hadn't felt this dire panic, even when looking into the evil Trigon's eyes. Something about Death absolutely terrified him. Almost to the point where he wanted to call Bruce and ask for help, knowing that surely the likes of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman could defeat the horsemen. But that wasn't exactly an option. He would send his mentor a warning, something to give the Justice League time to prepare if the Titans failed, but it would be sent out later, when things looked worse than they already did.
He knew a location: somewhere deep underground roughly thirty miles outside Megacity. He knew who he faced: Pantha, Commando, and Death. He knew what they were after: Beastboy. He knew why: to eradicate the Human race. All that left was the 'when' and that, as always, was the hardest part: the waiting.
~Common Room, Dinner Time~
Kid Flash limped into the Common Room, with Jinx helping support him, a smile on both their faces as he teased her about her snoring. They were greeted by Beastboy jumping up, finally having returned to his own body, the biggest grin on his face.
"Hey, guys, guess what!" he positively beamed, hopping up and down from excitement. Jinx and Kid Flash exchanged a look of bewilderment before offering their own wild guesses.
"You discovered a new flavor of tofu?"
"You got a new video game?"
"Nu-uh, way better!" he practically leapt into the air. "I'm gonna be a Dad! Me! A daddy!"
"Oh, Lord, help us all," Jinx laughed, giving the green Titan a playful punch. "Good for you, Beastboy."
"Yeah, man, way to go!" Kid Flash offered a high five, though his expression changed to a thoughtful one. "Shouldn't you, ya know, get married before the kid is born though?"
"Absolutely not," Raven called from the table, setting down a plate of cranberries. Despite recent events, it was decided (by whom, no one was exactly sure) that Christmas dinner would proceed according to tradition. Turkey, roasted ham, cranberries, broccoli rice cheese casserole, the whole shebang, plus vegetarian friendly alternatives, was laid out on the common room table as the Titans assembled. Violet eyes threw a piercing look towards both young men. "I will not have a shotgun wedding. If Beastboy wants to get married, fine, but he doesn't have to just because I'm pregnant. Besides, marriage is overrated."
"Raven, how can you say that!" Starfire floated over to the table, setting down a bowl of something that looked both inedible and still alive, a Tamaranian delicacy. She was happy for her friends and eager to eat something other than the Pudding of Sadness. "The union of two hearts and lives is a joyous occasion!"
"It is when it's a mutual decision by both parties but not when it's out of perceived necessity," Raven snapped back. "Even if a mutual decision is reached, it is not a requirement to have a grand ceremony or ornate display in order for the vows to be sacred..."
"Dude, you are so screwed when she gets to the violent mood swings phase," Kid Flash whispered behind his hand, receiving an elbow to his gut from Jinx. "Ow! Sure, pick on the cripple."
"You're only crippled now; shut your face before you become a eunuch!" Jinx growled quietly, hoping Raven had missed the exchange altogether.
Cyborg set down the last few plates of varying cakes (pies were banned in the Tower after the Mother Mae Eye incident) and looked to the other Titans. "Uh, should someone go get-"
"We're here, Tin Man. Or do you prefer Rust Bucket?" Shego called as the doors slid shut behind her and Kim. The rest of the Titans crew was happy to notice that Shego's voice was coming from her very own painted black lips, a very good sign indeed. They also noticed how Shego's arm was draped protectively around the redhead's shoulders but decided to ignore it for the time being. However, that didn't mean Cyborg wasn't going to step up to the plate.
"You know, I'm growing a little partial to Rust Bucket, but I know you can do better, Sour," he laughed at the annoyance briefly flashing through those emerald orbs. Just like Robin, it was fun to push Shego's buttons every now and again. "Besides, I was actually talking about Ron, Doc, and Terra. They've been down by the shore for half the day."
"Huh, I wonder why," Shego questioned dryly, not at all surprised the three stooges were off on some random adventure of their own design. Kim laughed, whispering so only Shego could hear.
"Twenty bucks says they're hiding from you." Shego just rolled her eyes.
"Oh, come on, they aren't that terrified of me." They should be though, if the- Ron ever thinks of raising his voice to me again! "I mean, yeah, maybe Ron and definitely Drakken, but Terra? I don't even tease her, why would she be scared of me?"
"Well then take the bet if you're so cocky," Kim retorted, grabbing Shego's hand and tugging her towards the elevator. Waking up next to her emerald enchantress had put Kim in the sort of mood she didn't think even possible: absolute bliss. For the moment, she could stoutly ignore the thoughts of what would eventually come, the eventual good bye, because she still had Shego next to her. I almost wish I do die like Raven says. I couldn't imagine going back to life before this... God, I sound like some obsessed lovesick school girl... I better snap out of it soon, I am not going to die here. Shego seemed reluctant to take the bait, so Kim pressed on with a smug smirk to her lips. "In fact, how about instead of twenty bucks, we raise the stakes? If I'm wrong, you don't owe me anymore and the score's back to three-nil. But if I'm right, you owe me another one. How's that?"
When did Princess become such a gambler? Must be the alter ego; after all, what does a girl who saves the world on a weekly basis do for kicks? "Princess, you'll always owe me at least one. But fine, let's go find them and prove that they're probably just staring at their reflections or something stupid like that."
"By the way, congratulations, Beastboy and Raven!" Kim flashed the two a brilliant smile, one they'd only seen while the duo had been out kicking ass in the city. Shego offered her own form of congratulations.
"I already feel sorry for you. Your kid will either be able to change into any animal at will or blow shit up when he's hungry. The 'terrible two's' will take on a whole new meaning."
"Shego, be nice!" Kim admonished, slipping her hand in the older woman's and giving it a light squeeze. It was strange, the sensations such a simple gesture could engender but neither party wanted it to end. As the doors closed behind the two, the remaining Titans in the common room exchanged slightly triumphant grins. Cyborg suddenly started rubbing his hands together gleefully.
"How mad do you think they'll get if I start callin' them 'Sweet and Sour'?"
Beastboy instantly spoke up, eliciting stifled laughter from the Cyborg, Jinx, and Robin, leaving Starfire and Kid Flash slightly confused. "So long as you don't imply that you're hungry for Chinese, you might survive."
~At the Water's Edge~
"You know, I think if Shego was going to come after us, she'd have been here by now," Terra stretched her arms out, suddenly missing the comfy chairs of the common room or her own beanbag chair. Rocks were awesome for many things but they didn't make for the most comfortable seating.
"Oh, you don't know Shego," Drakken warned, crossing his arms while looking across the bay. "That woman can hold a grudge like no other!"
"Yeah! And she's mean too!" Ron childishly added, trying to skip a rock across the water's surface. He wasn't very good at it, but with Terra helping him, he seemed pleased with his sudden prowess. "I'm sure if we just hang out here a little-"
"HEY, YOU THREE!" Shego's voice suddenly cut across the calm air like a machete. Rather, more like the pistol at the beginning of the one hundred meter breaststroke as both Ron and Drakken dove into the water and started swimming as fast as possible. Terra just stayed where she was, opting to take her chances with the plasma wielding woman. With any luck, she was still in Kim's body and thus the blonde haired girl would miss the fiery death. "Where the Hell are they going?" The emerald woman walked to the edge of the water and crossed her arms, glaring at the two figures speeding away. There went Terra's hope of a plasma free death.
"Hoping to die mercifully at the tentacles of a giant squid rather than a slow fiery one," Terra sighed and stood up, raising her hands in the gesture of surrender. "In my defense, I told them to talk to you two. I never, ever told them to lecture you or barge in when they weren't wanted."
"So you're the reason why we got those friendly little chats?" Kim suddenly appeared, a wide grin on her face while looking at Shego. "Seems you owe me one... and dinner."
"Whoa, Princess, I never agreed to that second bet," Shego instantly countered, turning to face the redhead in question. Terra was slightly taken aback by the glint of mirth in both sets of green orbs. Obviously, she missed something. "But, I could take you to dinner and leave our score at three to one. You know I like to stay on top."
"And you know I'm much better at it," Kim winked, turning back towards the Tower to hide the slight blush creeping into her cheeks. Shego blinked a few times, then chuckled and started after her, stopping a second as she remembered why they'd come down in the first place.
"By the way, dinner is ready, so when tweedle dee and tweedle dumb are done being morons, let them know." Terra watched as Shego ran back up the path to Kim, hurling rather lewd comments back and forth in a teasing fashion. The blonde girl just waited until she was completely sure they were out of earshot before sighing happily, a smile on her face.
"Titans' Tower: all the drama of High School with all the libido of College. Why did I ever leave this place?"
~Across the Bay~
The binoculars lowered slowly, a wide grin on the lips of their owner. It was good to see that, after a very troubling experience, the Titans were close to acting normal. Tolerance of such disturbing events was a trademark of the Teen Titans and this reaction was anticipated. She hadn't anticipated Shego and Kim becoming closer but, if that kiss at the door leading into the Tower meant anything, their budding relationship would only serve to make her job easier. She had counted on the severe attachments of the Titans to make her ultimate plan work- Robin and Starfire, Beastboy and Raven, Jinx and Kid Flash, even Ron and Terra, and now with Kim and Shego, it just left one slightly weaker link with Cyborg and Doc. She had no doubts that their friendship was strong though; they would trust each other just like any of the other pairs but she would take caution not to put too much on them. It wouldn't help her mission at all if the bonds were broken. That just wouldn't do.
"War. Come in. Your visual feed is unavailable. Explain." Commando groaned, wishing for a brief moment she had completely deactivated the Collective. Having someone talking inside her head was no way to improve her mood.
"Calm down, Death. I'm sure it's just a glitch. My feeds have been deactivated for a while and your tampering with them hasn't helped any. What with trying to install the feed into Pestilence as well, it's probably just an overload. Easy fix. I'll take a look at them once I'm back."
"These Human expressions are unbecoming. Don't forget-"
"Don't you forget who's really in charge, Death. Your protocols require you to listen and obey my orders, and my orders are to drop this subject. Now, do you have anything of relevance to add?" A brief moment of silence followed before Death accepted her orders and complied.
"When will we begin the assault? The sooner we have the fourth horseman, and however many more we can collect, the sooner we can comply with our primary objective."
"Patience, Death. We need time to replace the workers lost during your attack." Commando smirked; hazel eyes shimmering as she stealthily left her observation point. "Besides, they don't know where we are. We have all the time in the world."
"As you say, War."
Continued in Chapter 8: Doubting Your Demons (or Assault on the Bowels of Hell)
Author's Note: I'll be honest, I ran out of steam here towards the end. I know it's stress from, well, my job that's getting to me and I know it won't be going away any time soon, so the next update might take a little longer than I'd like. I'm really sorry for the quality of these last few chapters; hopefully I'll get settled in soon and can get back into the full swing. Also, I managed to trade the headache of switch bodied characters for the annoyance of the Collective (which is almost like telepathy… or instant messaging, depending on how you look at it). Oy vey.
Additional Disclaimer: I also don't own She's The Man. If you haven't seen it, it's based off Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night. I found myself randomly adding movie quotes and song lyrics to this chapter… Don't ask why…