Caught in an Abyss - Chapter 7

Fic Info and Update:
Alright, I don't know how many of you have read my most recent journal update, but here's a quick recap; my computer (a desktop) is on its last legs and actually crashed on me some time ago. I just got my laptop, and so I can finally continue work on this god-forsaken fic. Anyway, for the real update, you are all probably going to hate me for this chapter, but I figured it was time I got some insight into Ron, Wade, and Drakken's partnership as well as include a few missing details about "The Spartan's Playground." I really hope that this chapter clears the air and I hope that you will all forgive me for not having as much kigo-y goodness in this chapter.

One quick question, though; I would like to ask a number of you what you think of this fanfiction. I can't help but feel as though, because of how things have been set up, the first six chapters may seem like smut rather than… well a respectable piece of written work. I'm afraid that I have made all of this seem to come off as either too convenient for this situation or that I have made it seem as though the only reason that Shego has slept with Kim was just to get rid of her little "ache" and not because she truly had feelings for her. If you could please give me your opinion on this, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you all for your patience. ^^

XxXxX

(Day Twenty - Evening)

"I can't believe that I have never heard of this place before!" Drakken bellowed loudly. He looked around at all of the wonderfully fantastic technologies that the United Nations Space Command, or UNSC, had horded away. "Oh all of the marvelous things I could steal from here..." He muttered under his breath.

"Try it and I promise that I'll be the first to hold a magnum to your head." Spartan K-2-1-5 said as she tried to usher Wade and Drakken both foreword. She rolled her eyes as she actually had to push Wade forward since he was so entranced by one of the other Spartan II's armor. Drakken also tried to protest, but Kris gave him one stern look and he shuffled on forward.

"I'm not giving you any free passes, Doctor Drakken." She drew out his title in mocking, knowing her was not worthy of it. "You're the one that tried to pilfer the plans for that armor, remember? It was Team Possible that had to retrieve it for us because we were all in the middle of an Insurrectionist attack."

"Wait, the Insurrectionists..." Ron muttered. "Were those the guys that were rebelling against the U.N.S.C. because they thought you were corrupt? ... Or something?"

"Exactly." K215 stated. "Though, everywhere you look, you'll find someone who doesn't agree with the way that a government works." She rolled her eyes and continued down the hall. "Anyway, as I was saying, since all the Spartan's were in the middle of a recon mission regarding the Insurrectionists, we ended up trying to contact another force that could help us. We couldn't spare any marines at the time either, so when we searched for help. Team Possible was the first one that was referenced."

"I remember that mission." Ron said and Wade had to just nod in agreement. He knew what they were talking about but he was too busy admiring the technological advancements on the armor and weapons that were carried within the facility. "The lair ended up exploding and Drakken and I found Shego holding onto Kim against a cliff."

"What do you mean buffoon?" Drakken scrutinized him. "Shego wouldn't be holding onto Kim Possible after my lair had just self destructed. That would mean that she had saved the girl!"

"She did Drakken." Ron spat at him. The Spartan laughed openly. "I mean, hello! It was obvious." Drakken began yelling loudly saying that his Shego would never do such a thing. Ron rolled his eyes and then looked at Wade; the teenager pulled out his Kimmunicator and showed it to Drakken. A video feed that had been streaming from Kim's Kimmunicator from years ago. It was blurred and difficult to discern for the most part, but it showed Kim's race to try and get to her objective, which turned out to be the main plans for the MJOLNR armor. The screen showed Kim reach her arm out towards the objective until something wrapped itself around her and the Kimmunicator's cam was pulled out of focus as it showed a green and black clad figure pulling Kimmie from the building that was about to explode. Once the jostling was over, the camera was panned up to see Shego's face looking to her hand as it smashed into the side of a cliff-face.

"I don't believe it!" He shouted. "Why would Shego save MY arch foe!? Why would she even think of such a thing!? There is no way that this could have been a real video! You made this video to try and confuse me even after I gave you the coordinates to my underwater lair! You are liars! And-!" Drakken was suddenly silenced as K215 brought her hand across the side of his head, holding the butt of her M6D magnum out from her palm so the blow would knock him out cold.

"God, he never shuts up, does he?" She looked at the crumpled form of Dr. D on the floor and then motioned for two Marines to bring a stretcher from the medical ward.

"Nope." Wade said with a laugh. He was a little shocked to see such an outburst of violence from an old friend, but it still amused him to see that the act had indeed shut the blue-skinned man up. "He usually tends to ramble on and on about his plans when he has Kim and Ron tied up." Ron only nodded in agreement with a snicker as he nudged Drakken with his foot.

"This idiot will learn his place eventually I guess..." She muttered under her breath. The two marines brought a rolling stretcher and hoisted the blue man onto it. With that, Spartan K-2-1-5 dismissed them and she began to pull the stretcher around by the foot of the device, not bothering to watch if bumped into anything. "How did you two end up getting teamed together, anyway? Was this some sort of weird Global Justice mission that forced Drakken to work with you in order to get him parole or something?"

"No actually." Wade answered again. "GJ wanted nothing to do with this mission. They said that they don't have the funds for it." The tone in his voice was clipped and it showed that he was very annoyed.

"Well, lucky for you, we owe you a favor. We don't really have the funds for it either as you can see. We've had to make a number of budget cuts just to keep this sector open. We can hardly afford the rounds we need for our weapons." She grimaced at the thought of it. "But, I've heard rumors about energy based weapons being researched and created in order to be more efficient."

"Really?" Wade's eyes then lit up in curiosity. "You know, if you ever need any help with tha-"

"Sorry, Mr. Lode. No can do. Top secret." At this, the teen sighed. "I'll put in the good word, though." She smiled at him and this caused Drakken to slam into a wall because of the way that her body had turned. Ron snickered. "Anyway, so what really did happen to get you three paired together?"

"Well, it worked out like this-" Ron started to relay the story.

XxXxX

(Nearly a week and a half prior)

It was dark outside and the wind whipped against the trees, causing the windows to creak. It wasn't a wind that would howl insistently, but instead it was the sort of wind that one could listen to in the dead of night and know that it was just the wonders of nature at play.

Ron laid in bed in a deep sleep. On most nights, the young man wouldn't stir if the strongest of earthquakes were to overtake the city of Middleton. However this night was extremely different. In an instant, the sound of the tapping branches against the window turned into a loud THUD! against the glass. Ron shot from his bed, screaming in a high-pitched voice and looking around frantically for Rufus who had been flung from his resting place atop Ron's chest.

"Rufus! Buddy! Are you okay?" He shouted and the small creature merely responded by rubbing his head and squeaked under his breath. Ron grumbled as he looked around his room for what could have woken him. After a moment, he decided that a little fresh air would calm his nerves. He stood from the bed and walked over to the window, carefully gripping the bottom. The window dind't budge, so he hefted with more force. Without warning, he clumsily lost his footing at the window suddenly opened and he fell to the floor.

"I hate this window..." He muttered quietly before he stood up with his quirky smile. He took in a breath of fresh air with his eyes closed. Slowly he opened them, still tired from his sudden wake up. As he opened his eyes, he screamed and just backwards, hitting his back against the wall. He scurried to find his utility belt or some other device that he may be able to ward off his intruder.

Before him stood Doctor Drakken, sneering and scowling in a manner that would normally never strike fear into the heart of any child simply because this man's incompetence radiated off of his like the heat from the sun.

"Buffoon, would you quit stumbling around the floor!"

"Hey!" Ron shot up from where he was laying on the floor, still attempting to find his belt. "For the last time, my name is not 'Buffoon!' It's Stoppable! Ron Stoppable!"

"Yes, yes, let's cut out the formalities, Stooptassl," Drakken mispronounced.

"Stoppable."

"Whatever." He said dryly. He saw no need to actually learn the name of this incapable person. "Now would you just listen to me for a moment before you go to you communication device and call Kim Possible!?"

The mere mention of his old friend's name shot a strong pulsing pain through his body and he nearly doubled over from its intensity. He looked at Drakken with a look that could kill. The blue-skinned man actually flinched and he took a short step back.

"You know very well that I can't do that you moron!" Ron shouted, not caring that he had probably woken up half of his apartment complex. "You know that she was trapped in your stupid underwater lair with that-... That-! Green-skinned harpy!"

"Don't you dare address my poor, sweet Shego as such!" He shouted back at the blond man. This only made Ron laugh and step closer to Drakken.

"Your Shego?" He asked with a rather twisted smirk on his features.

"Yes, MY Shego!"

"Shego was never be interested in you. In fact, if she and Kim as still alive, by some godly miracle-" Ron emphasized the word with a gesture of his hands. "...Then I can guaran-damn-tee that Shego is definitely not yours." A sense of pride seemed to cover the young man's words as he looked at Drakken with even more ferocity. The scientist actually looked pained by what Ron has said. He balled his tiny hands into fists and seemed to growl in the back of his throat.

"Why don't we put these..." He fought for the polite and proper terms to use considering the situation. "Minor differences... aside for just a moment..." Drakken spoke through his teeth and fought the urge to use what little strength he did have to drive his fist into Stoppable's face.

"What are you even talking about, you lunatic?" Ron crossed his arms as a rather angry mole rat climbed up the side of his shirt and perched himself on Ron's shoulder, mimicking his posture.

"Apparently , you are in the same situation that I am..." Doctor Drakken dropped the "lunatic" comment. "And because of that, I'm sure that you're trying to find a way to save Kim Possible."

"How did you-"

"I may be a world conqueror with many failed attempts, buy my IQ still far surpasses yours. It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if your best friend and the nerd's good friend are in trouble, you would jump at any chance you had to try an save her." Drakken had cut Ron off and spat the words in his face.

"Ah..." Was Ron's meager response.

"Now, if I may continue..." Ron reluctantly motioned for Drakken to do so. "If the two of them are still alive, which is a considerably high possibility, then I know exactly where they are and how long they have to survive down there."

Ron listened rather intently as Drakken began to explain the layout of his underwater lair and, though it was hidden to his visitor, his heart sang with rejuvenation as he found a small ray of hope lining this desperate situation. In turn Drakken listened to Ron, surprisingly quietly, as he explained the last video footage that Wade has received from the Kimmunicator. He also covered Global Justice's unwillingness to help.

"How do you expect to get the resources you need then?"

XxXxX

"Ron! What the hell is he doing here!?" Wade hollered. The teen looked at Drakken with a scowl and pointed an intimidating looking ray gun at him.

"Wade, just calm down. I know you blame Drakken for what happened-" Ron attempted to calm his friend down, but Wade wasn't listening.

"So did you! What's wrong with you, Ron!?" The teenager flicked a switch on the gun with his thumb and his stance grew even more angered.

"I wouldn't change my mind on something like this unless I had a good reason for it, Wade!" Ron shouted back. He looked at his old friend for a moment longer, his eyes intense yet caring. After a moment of looking to the young man, Wade sighed and flicked the small switch back before placing the ray gun back on his over-sized desk, next to his equally over-sized keyboard.

"You're right..." He muttered softly. He looked back up, taking his hand off of the weapon. He was staring daggers at Drakken and the scared doctor hid behind Ron for safety. "Now... what is he doing here?" Wade asked, more civilly.

"He's here-" Drakken pushed his human shield aside and took a proud stance in order to take the spot light.

"I'm here to give you the coordinates you need as well as some reassurance that Kim possible and my Shego are alive." Wade looked at Drakken with disgust more than anger and it appeared as though he was growling when he spoke.

"I was asking Ron, Drew. Not you." Drakken shrunk back again at the harsh tone that the young teenager was taking with him. Ron chimed in by shoving Drakken partially outside of Wade's room.

"And for the last time, Shego will never be yours. It's just sick and wrong!" The blond actually seemed horrified by the idea, and the disgruntled face on Drakken amused Wade to no end.

"Alright, give us the coordinates." Wade said, gesturing for Drakken to do as he asked.

"Actually... funny thing about that..." He muttered.

"And what would that be." Ron groaned.

"I don't have them with me." Both of the hero's looked at the "doctor" in irritation.

"What do you mean you don't have them with you?" Ron and Wade said in unison.

"Well, I left them in the time-share lair. And its Professor Dementor's turn to use it..."

"And this means...?" Wade asked, pressing his finger and thumb to the bridge of his nose.

"We won't have access to them for another week."

"You idiot!" Wade shouted, stepping towards Drakken. "Kim and Shego could be dead within the next few minutes if not already and you're saying that we have to wait a week before we can even have access to where they might be!?" The teenage brought his fist back, ready to throw a punch directly into the scientists jaw.

"Wade! Calm down! Just listen to what he had to say!" Ron was barely able to catch Wade's fist in time before it impacted with Drakken's cowering face.

Peering through his fingers, at the arguing heroes, the "doctor" wondered if this was really the best idea, seeking help from these two. However, he knew that it was the only way that he might even possibly see Shego again and he was willing to go through whatever these two might dish out before he would give up on his employee.

"Fine..." Wade sighed before he spoke again. "What makes you think that we can even wait a week before we go try to rescue the girls?" once again, he had toned his voice down to a more civil manner.

"Well..." Drakken went into extreme detail about the layout of the lair starting from one side and working his way to the other. As he spoke, he pushed Ron and Wade out of his way numerous times before he sat in the teen's computer chair. Wade yelled at him again, telling him first to get the hell out of his chair and then for him to get to his main point. Cowering once again, Drakken continued by explaining that there were certain parts of the lair that were built to be water tight should there ever be an accident resembling the one that had occurred. Drakken's room happened to be one of them. There were also extra amenities added to the room, such as a small kitchen stocked with a month's worth of food, a bathroom, even a few other luxuries that people in their position wouldn't be afforded. He also explained their ingenuity, how they might possibly procure more food, should they run out, as well as possible ways to get into the room without hurting the two of them.

"The only thing I can't seem to figure out is why the homing beacon in the lair hadn't gone off when it flooded...;" Drakken sighed but when he looked up at the footage that Wade was playing from the Kimmunicator to confirm what the doctor was saying, Drakken realized that it was Shego's impact through the main computer that had caused all of the damage and the computer to malfunction.

"Now there's only one thing left to do..." Wade muttered under his breath.

XxXxX

"So that's when you called us?" K-2-1-5 laughed, as she had throughout the story. The stretcher that Drakken was on bumped into another wall and he groaned in his gun-to-the-head induced sleep. "Well, despite the unfortunate circumstances, I am actually glad that we're able to help you out."

Just as Kris spoke, a large door in front of them opened to a massive research facility that was quite a few miles below sea level. There were scientists everywhere, walking from in one direction or another, stopping at computers to consult with other researchers. There were Marines scattered around the floor, guarding pieces of equipment or escorting research subjects, even helping the scientists with their research. However, upon closer inspection, many of the Marines were taller, more alert, and significantly more involved with the other than others.

"Hey, Zero-Six-four!" Kris shouted from across the facility. She got a number of irritated glances thrown her way, so she made her to make her way over to where she needed to be before she spoke again. The Spartan tapped a towering man on the shoulder and he turned around with a smile. On the front of his uniform was a strange insignia depicting an eagle holding three arrows in its right foot and a lightning bolt in its left. Under it were the numbers 0-6-4.

"Kris! It's good to see you back on the playground." He said with a gracious smile. Compared to the other strong and bulky looking Marines, this man was the biggest. Ron and Wade found themselves dwarfed in contrast. "What brings you by?" He ran a gargantuan hand through his shaggy, red hair that was about four inches too long to have been cut to military regulations.

"Actually, I have a mission for us, Jimmy. Approved by Halsey." Spartan K215 seemed to beam at the mention of the mission.

"And what about the civilians? And... The stiff?" He motioned to Ron and Wade first and then Drakken, who was still laying motionless on the gurney.

"They're the ones that requested the mission." Kris motioned them forward. Both of them stood to attention, much to their own surprise, and saluted out of respect. This caused 0-6-4 to smile brighter. "Ron is the blond and Wade is the teen."

"Wade! As in Wade Lode of Team Possible?" The young man's eyes widened and he nodded his head. "I've heard so much about your work!" Jimmy smiled and held out his hand as a greeting gesture. Wade gratefully took it and smiled in return.

"Really?" He asked.

"Yes. I must say that your work on-"

"Alright, alright, enough chatter. We really don't have enough time for pleasantries." Kris decided to cut in, knowing that Jimmy would certainly peak Wade's interest. The large man complied, noting the military officer-like tone in Kris' voice. "The reason you're the one I want for this mission, zero-six-four, is because you're the only one that can actually drive that-" She pointed floor to ceiling pane of glass at the far end of the room. The reinforced glass stood one hundred feet up and three hundred across. Behind the glass was the expanse of the ocean as well as a enormous submerged vehicle.

"Ah, so what you really need is old Trigger." Jimmy laughed and started walking towards the glass wall.

"And her equipment." Ron said out of nowhere. K-2-1-5 was surprised, but 0-6-4 just laughed to himself.

"Of course." He said. Jimmy then looked at Kris as they showed the Marine guards their identification. Those guards immediately saluted and allowed them access to the door they were guarding.

"So what is this mission?" He asked, opening a hatch that led directly into the large vehicle that they had seen from behind the glass.

Kris smiled and she turned to Ron for him to explain it as she hoisted Drakken over her shoulder and threw him on one of the bunks in the back of the vehicle. Both Ron and Wade began to relay their story as Jimmy entered in the coordinates. Only for a moment did he interrupt, getting the clearance he needed for departure.

Soon, they were off to the intended coordinates. All Ron and Wade could do at this point was pray that they were able to make it in time...

As unlikely as it all seemed.

XxXxX

(Day Twenty - Evening)

Shego moaned softly and she shifted in her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes to see the dimming lights in the apartment-like room that she had been subject to for the past three weeks. She smiled and shifted again, feeling that her movement was restricted. Not much, but enough to let her know that her Kimmie was still laying next to her. She looked down at her chest to see that Kim was indeed lying on top of her. The redhead had her head placed atop Shego's breasts, using them as makeshift pillows. This caused the thief to laugh.

Throughout the day, the two had just decided to stay in bed without really consulting the other, but neither of them minded. After their night and continued activities once they had recovered, if only for a little while, they figured that they could both use a good night's sleep. That night ended up turning into a full day.

Shego peered over at the clock, careful not to disturb her princess. It read 6 o'clock in the evening. Never in her life would the thief have imagined that she would actually sleep past 8 o'clock in the morning. It didn't bother her, though. She simply smiled as she leaned down and kissed the top of Kim's head.

This caused the young woman to stir and she slowly moved her head to look up at Shego. She smiled sleepily and gently lifted her arm so she could caress Shego's cheek softly. Carefully she leaned up to steal a long, loving kiss from her lover and the both of them smiled into it before breaking the kiss to giggle lightly.

"Morning breath?" Kim chuckled a little as she spoke.

"Yeah." They chuckled quietly to themselves until everyhting settle back into a calm quiet. Although the thief didn't particularly want her own enjoyment to end, she gently moved Kim to the side only to hear a whimper in protest.

"I'll cut you a deal, Princess." She said, starting to move to get out of the bed.

"What kind of deal?" The redhead leaned up on her elbows to look at her companion.

"Let me brush my teeth and get dressed and then you can get cleaned up while I make dinner." She stood up and stretched, attempting to make her voice sound as casual as possible rather than letting the joyous emotion she felt leak through.

"I have a better idea..." Kim said, startling Shego as she gently kissed the woman's neck, wrapping her arms around her from behind. The thief hadn't been expecting Kim to have gotten up so quickly and the feeling of the young woman placing her lips against Shego's neck sent a shiver down her spine.

"Oh...?" She muttered softly.

"How about we both take a shower... and then you can make something to eat..." Kim gently dragged her bottom lip over Shego's jaw. The pale-skinned woman could feel herself flush and her cheeks began to burn.

"I like the way you think Kimmie." Shego smirked and grabbed Kimmie's wrist, pulling her to the bathroom and causing the young woman to giggle she they did so.

XxXxX

The shower had been enjoyable for many reasons, but the girls were happy to finally get some food. Each of them conversed easily. They were surprised to see how easy things were between them as they talked. Considering their pasts as well as their reputations, they figured that they would have a hard time converting from their "arch-nemesis" ways to how they were now. But the two of them were so much alike and had strangely enough in common that their relationship was easy.

Occasionally throughout the meal, Shego would unknowingly take Kim's hand in hers. Kim would blush, still not used to this side of her former enemy. Sometimes the redhead would smile for no reason as she watched while Shego cooked or watched her, wondering what the thief was thinking. Sometimes she couldn't even help but bite her lip as she watched the woman because of how a smile graced her features.

They loved this feeling. And they never wanted such euphoria to stop.

XxXxX

"That's it!" Drakken bellowed. "That's my lair!" he practically hopped with excitement of being able to rescue Shego.

"Calm yourself, blue-boy..." Jimmy muttered as he went back and forth between controls. "Now where is this room and what is the safest entry point?" Drakken went through the blueprints of the lair in his mind, thinking of all of the possible entry points. After a moment as the ship continued to descend, Drakken smiled to himself.

"Right there..." He muttered.

XxXxX

Shego was sitting on the couch, reading a book while Kim had her head placed in Shego's lap. They had been sitting like this for about an hour, Shego reading out loud to herself quietly while her pumpkin drifted in and out of consciousness listening to the little murmurs that her love was unconsciously making as she read.

Both of them jumped off of the couch, facing each other in a defensive stance when they heard an unexpected noise surrounding the entire room. They looked at each other before another loud, thunderous sound reverberated through the walls and the ceiling.

"What the hell was that?" Shego said to no one in particular. Kimmie shook her head in response, not knowing the answer. Suddenly an earsplitting screech sounded throughout the room and both of them covered their ear and gritted their teeth. The noise was growing louder from the door to their prison.

The two women moved to the door and stood a few feet from it, cautiously taking their stances.

"What do you think it is...?" Kim said.

"I don't know... But it's not the room collapsing, I know that much..." The thief said and Kim nodded. Just as suddenly as the horrid screeching had started, it stopped. Loud thuds and crashing-like sounds continued to come from the door. Both women tightened their stances, prepared to jump at anything that came through the door. They were both, however, terrified of the possibility of water crashing through and filling the room.

The door began to glow a hot red, a bright white mark moving across the bottom of the door and turning a corner each time it was about to reach the wall. Closer and closer it got to its finishing point, slowly increasing the fear that each woman had for the possible outcome until a loud explosion was heard and the door was blasted out of the way. Kim and Shego jumped out of the way in time before it impacted upon them both. Smoke covered the area and they coughed for a moment before looking at each other to make sure that they were okay. Quickly they stood and took their stances once more. As the smoke cleared, however... Both women were stunned and shocked at what they saw.

"Ron! Wade!" Kim shouted with a smile on her face and tears of happiness running down her cheeks. She rushed at the two of them who were stepping through the ruined doorway.

"Shego!" Drakken yelled as he pushed the heroes out of the way. He practically bounded over to Shego and wrapped his arms around the stunned woman. So stunned was she that the thought to strike her boss never entered her mind.

She looked through the door, seeing an odd underwater vehicle that had sealed its hatch water tight around that of the outer door. She looked at Kim who was happily rejoining her friends and then noticed the two other people who were dressed in military uniform. She looked at Drakken who had finally released her and who was babbling about some inane plan that he had concocted in order to save her, but she wasn't listening.

As much as her mind protested such thoughts, her face was twisted into one of horror. She was terrified, though no one seemed to notice, not even Kim who was so preoccupied with being reunited with her friends. Shego knew what this meant. She knew what Drakken being here meant. She knew what was going to happen. She knew that she was going to lose her Kimmie.

And there was nothing she could do about it...

XxXxX

To be continued in Ch. 8

Next time: Kim and Shego have been rescued but what's going to happen now? Not a day earlier had Shego realized that she has actually fallen in love with Kim and now they get ripped apart by reality and their former lives. How will they begin to handle it?