The clang of metal against metal rang throughout the forest. Fire blazed, turning the muggy forest swamp into a sauna. The roar of hollow men seemed to be everywhere as Felix, Kim, and Gracie fought their way through the abandoned castle and out amongst the trees. Had it not been for the severe lack of tactical strategy all hollow men exhibited, the trio would've likely been dead long ago. But even so, it was a credit to the fighting skills of all three that they had remained standing and their swords remained swinging.

SMASH

CRUNCH

BANG

Kim drew her Bone smasher, a high caliber pistol designed specifically for combating hollow men. She parried a blow from a nearby zombie wannabe and planted the barrel directly to its temple, blowing the sucker apart. Using a newfound agility that Kim hadn't felt since her early days in world saving, she leapt around the crowd, slashing and shooting like she was at one of those old carnival arcades. She…she was almost having fun.

"ANY MINUTE NOW," Felix shouted over the roar of battle.

As if on cue, the world seemed to implode on itself. An invisible force seemed to yank Kim off her feet towards the epicenter, ceasing as soon as it began. Felix had warned the womenfolk this would happen when the villain boss would appear but it still caught the two off guard. Gracie! Kim immediately jumped back up, looking for her daughter. Gracie climbed to her feet, trying to regain her bearings and shaking the cobwebs out of her head. Felix himself was dragging himself to his feet, looking for his sword. Kim tightened her grip on her weapons, supremely thankful she'd managed to hold on to them. She was NOT going to blow it in the home stretch, not when they were so close to getting home. Shego…the twins…they'd been present in Kim's mind since they'd gotten into this game.

"Mom," Gracie darted over, getting under her mother's arm to give her support. "You still with us?"

"Still here Muffin," Kim grunted, patting her daughter on the shoulder.

The ground around them began to tremble, a hole forming a ten feet in front of them. "No rest for the weary," Felix ran up to the pair, sheathing his sword and drawing his own Bone Masher. "We don't have a lot of time. Now this guy's going to be capable of magic so swords are out. Strictly distance weapons from here on out." Felix looked towards the hole and cringed as he saw a decomposing armor clad arm reach out. "Okay…Kim, you've got a knack for magic wielding. Get somewhere high and start raining fire. Gracie, you and I need to remain mobile at all costs. No matter what happens, keep shooting and be elusive."

Kim was hesitant to let Gracie away from her side but Felix had yet to steer them wrong. She sheathed her weapons and took off for a forty foot evergreen, climbing as high as the branches would support her. Finding a good cross section of branches, she hunkered down and began focusing on the gauntlet on her right arm. When they got out, she'd really have to look into playing these Fable games. Hurling fire, lightning, and the rest of the elements? She kinda felt like Eme. She could feel the warmth surrounding her hand and looked back towards the clearing…and the seven foot tall armor clad monster that had emerged from the ground.

Kim's right hand was beginning to shake from the magic coursing through it. She took careful aim and loosed a ball of fire. Almost as if it were laser guided, the ball exploded against the hollow man, setting fire to the rags underneath his armor. Now she needed another charge. What she wouldn't give for a musket right now. Her gauntlet provided quite a punch but the recharge time to build up a fully charged shot was severely lacking. Fire, wait sixty seconds, and fire again. Meanwhile, Felix and Gracie were darting around the clearing, dodging magic swords and returning fire.

What seemed like twenty hours but was twenty minutes later, Gracie's bullet thudded through the hollow man's armor, forcing everything to become incredibly still. Pale blue light began cascading from that singular point, like the eye of a hurricane, spreading out and engulfing everything in the area. Without warning, beams shout out in three directions, each towards Gracie, Kim and Felix. Talk about bizarre. Gracie would almost FEEL the light engulfing her. This had to be it! They were going…before Gracie could finish that thought, everything went dark, losing all sense and consciousness.

KPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKP

Kim's heart sank as Eme relayed the events of the past few days leading up to her and Gracie's return. Kim had supported her wife's decision to leave the Shegophone behind so as not to worry or distract either party. Kim, Gracie, and Felix had enough to worry about and Eme needed a clear head to work; but this? This was the most heart wrenching thing Kimberly Anne Possible had heard in her entire life. And she was unable to do anything when her wife truly needed her.

"Eme, I…oh come here," Kim pulled her wife into an embrace on her hospital bed, pouring every positive feeling she possessed into it. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there." Tears streamed down Shego's face as she wept openly into her wife's shoulder. Ever since her reformation, Shego had never handled losing innocent bystanders well. There had been some difficult moments…but Kim had never seen her wife react like this. This had shaken Shego to her very core. "It's all going to be okay," Kim ran a soothing hand down her wife's back.

"She…she died in my arms and…I couldn't do anything…I…"

"Shhhhh, Shego, if it hadn't been for you…God knows what would've happened to her son if that bastard had succeeded in taking him," Kim snagged a tissue from the nightstand and began dabbing at her wife's tears. "Your first instinct was to help her. You…your first instinct is always to help, to protect the innocent. That's one of the many reasons I love you." Kim dabbed at the last of the tears, brushed a lock of shimmering black hair out of her face, and kissed her Eme on the forehead. "No matter what it takes, no matter how long, we're going to get through this."

Shego curled up next to her wife and dozed off. Kim could only hope that things looked better for her wife in the morning. So much had happened to Shego that Kim's head was spinning. But through it all, Kim's mind began to drift back to Elsa Laukkenen and her infant son. Little Nicholas now being an orphan, that really seemed to be weighing the heaviest on Shego. Kim…Kim shuddered to think about the girls ever having to grow up as orphans, having no one. Kim snagged her Kimmunicator and began scrolling through the GJ after action report and the profiles on all parties involved. Little Nicholas…he would suffer that fate. It looked like Elsa didn't have any living family…and whatever family this Mikko had were just as criminal as he was. From what Kim knew, the Scandinavian foster systems were little better than the American systems. God only knew how long Nicholas would spend in foster care before they found a permanent home for him.

You know what the right course of action is Possible, Kim thought to herself. She heaved a sigh and brought up the picture of Nicholas that was included in the file. Even in these awful circumstances, he looked so happy, so blissfully ignorant. You and Shego can spare him from that fate!

KPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKP

Where…where was she? She felt for her Bone Masher and sabre…night gown? Her explorer attire was gone and so were her weapons. Slowly Gracie's eyes began to creep open, blinking several times to get used to the bright light. She…was in a hospital…YES! They were out! This had to mean that they were out! Her muscles were screaming out in protest but she forced herself to sit up in her bed.

"Well look who's awake?"

Gracie's eyes darted to the door and spied Momma making an entrance. She made a move to climb out of bed but Momma rush forward, ushering her back down. Objecting muscles or no, Momma embraced her in a bear hug and Gracie squeezed just as hard. Gracie had no idea how long they were gone in the real world but from Gracie's perspective, it had been weeks since they'd been together. She'd seen and experienced more than any soldier would in their entire lives. There'd been moments when it looked as if they wouldn't all make it back but…Momma felt so good right now.

"I missed you so much Momma," Gracie rasped, still feeling the protests of her bodily aches and pains. Momma finally let go and Gracie looked her in the eye. Something…seemed different about her. The last Gracie had heard, Momma and Uncle Ron were hot on the trail of Dr. Drakken; somewhere in Finland if Gracie remembered correctly. Had Momma gotten her hands on him? What…what had gone on? "Momma…are you okay?"

"I'm gonna be sweetheart," Momma heaved a sigh and held her daughter's hand. "There's just a family matter that we need to discuss when you and your Mom are well enough to go home."

At this point, Shego was just relieved to be able to put her hands on her daughter. But the twins rushing in to check on big sis was a welcome distraction. Zoe and Emily climbed onto Gracie's hospital bed and locked big sis in an embrace, shouting about how they missed her and wanting to know about everything that she got to do. Shego had glossed over a few of the more dangerous details to keep the twins from having nightmares but the twins were convinced that Momma was holding something truly spankin back. Gracie's body still cried out in protest to their affections but she promised to tell them everything.

Next in was Grandma Possible and Abby. Grandma was pleased to report that Mom was awake and was quite irate at the fact that a certain set of twins weren't there to pay attention to her. Both girls "eeped" at Grandma's implied warning, kissed their big sister, and ran off with Grandma to visit Mom, leaving Shego and Abby alone with Gracie. Something…something had definitely happened while she and Mom were gone. Abby kept looking at Momma, treating her as if she were wearing kid gloves. Did something happen to Momma in Finland? Did Gracie even really want to know what happened to Drakken when Momma got her hands on him?

KPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKP

Other than being thoroughly exhausted, the hospital thankfully found nothing wrong with Kim, Gracie, or Felix. Monique had burst into Felix's hospital room and had there not been company, Kim suspected that her best friend would've jumped him right there. Monique was so thrilled that her hesitance at the beginning of this whole ordeal was forgotten in an instant. Without warning, Felix was clued into the fact that he was going to be a Dad. And just when nobody thought Felix's face could get any more priceless. He looked as if somebody had just cold cocked him on the head…and then the room was filled with joyous laughter. He yanked Monique onto the hospital bed and began kissing her for all he was worth.

Sure that all parties involved were in fine health, only needing a solid meal, the Possible family rejoiced as Kim pulled the Chevy Traverse to a halt in front of the Palace. It had been little more than a week. But…it really seemed like the family was whole again, whole after a great deal of time apart. Doors swung open and the girls piled out and into the house. Kim immediately sidled up to her wife, clasping her hand as the two followed the younger set inside. After they passed through the threshold, Shego brought her wife up short and planted a kiss on her wife's beautiful red lips.

"What was that for?"

"I think you know," Shego smiled and hugged Kim. "With Elsa and Nicholas…everything that happened…" Shego hugged her wife even tighter. "Thank you. Now we just need to break it to the girls."

Shego was absolutely right. No matter what, they were a family and this was something that affected them all. More than likely, the twins would be on board. It was their chance to escape the bottom of the pecking order. Gracie…Gracie was very much a teenager but was still one of the kindest people Kim had ever known at that age and a true nurturer at heart. Shego plopped down onto the sofa while Kim headed to the bottom of the stairs. Before they did any of that though, Mothers Possible had a little matter to discuss with their eldest bundle of joy.

"Gracie? Could you come down here please?"

Gracie descended the staircase and halted under the eagle eyed gaze of her parents. Good Grief; WHERE did parents learn that penetrating gaze? It just seemed to bore right into you, making you completely unable to move. Man, she felt like a deer in the headlights. And she had a sinking feeling that she knew what was coming. Hope springs eternal…but now she had to face the executioner, at least the social life executioner.

"I…guess it's too much to ask that you forgot about my little…violation?" She cringed, knowing the answer already.

"Oh, indeed it is Grace Anne Possible," Shego leveled her gaze. "Consider yourself grounded for two weeks.

"TWO weeks?"

"DON'T take that tone with us young lady," Kim sat up and intensified her gaze. "You disobeyed me and put yourself in incredible danger.

Argh…that icy look, and from TWO angles! What remained of Gracie's will disintegrated, forcing her to bow out. She HAD royally screwed up…and two weeks really WASN'T that big a deal in the grand scheme of things. "Yes ma'am," All of a sudden, the carpet looked very interesting. "Is…is there anything else?"

That was the opening Kim and Shego needed. "Yes, there is. Could you please bring your sisters down here? Momma and I have a family announcement that we'd like to discuss."

Okay…this was the moment of truth. Kim and Shego had already clued Abby into the events and had her full support. Kim had thought the tale tore at HER heartstrings? Together, she and her wife had witnessed a hardened former secret service and Global Justice operative break down into tears. Had Kim and Shego not already been planning on adopting little Nicholas, Kim expected she and Seamus would be having a long talk. The pair was already tiptoeing around the idea of maybe finally tying the knot after ten years and both Kim and Shego desperately prayed for Abby to have the chance at children of her own.

Gracie trekked back down the stairs with the twins in tow and the trio took the seats offered to them on the opposite couch.

"Okay girls. Mom and I have something we'd really like to talk to you about," Kim began.

"Are we in trouble?" Emily piped up, looking from parent to parent.

"No, not at all," Shego promised quickly. "But something happened when your Momma went with Uncle Ron to Finland. You see…Momma and Uncle Ron made a new friend. Her name was Elsa. But…some very bad people hurt her and…and now she can't take care of her baby, a little boy named Nicholas."

"Momma and I talked about it and because Nicholas doesn't have anyone to take care of him…we want to make Nicholas part of our family," Kim explained, holding her wife's hand.

"You mean adopt him?" Gracie asked.

"Exactly," Kim nodded. "But we're a family. This is a decision we need to make as a family. So…what do you girls think?"

Okay…the invention of the awkward silence was definitely on one of God's off days. Each of the girls seemed to be mulling the proposal over in their little craniums. All three girls looked at each other, seeming to have whole conversations with their eyes alone. Both Kim and Shego were near experts at reading people and Shego's heart jumped when she saw her three daughters join hands and rise, smiles plastered over their faces.

"We want a baby brother," Zoe stated, oh so matter-of-factly.

Shego's breath caught. They…her girls wanted…this meant so much to her. They…they were going to have to build on another room. They could paint it green, fill it with stuffed animals. Shego could maybe even coach his little league team one day and…

Kim had to suppress a laugh as her wife was quite obviously in her own fantasy world, dreaming about little Nicholas growing up and…she really was completely out to lunch. She reached up and snapped her fingers to bring her wife out of her little revere. Kim was excited too but Zoe could get a little petulant when she thought she was being ignored.

"Excuse me Mrs. Possible," Kim laughed, rattled her wife's head around. "Your daughters are asking if they can see any pictures of their baby brother."

KPKPKPKPKPKPKPKP

Okay…they could do this! She just had to keep repeating over and over again! Aunt Monique and now Uncle Felix had gotten through their part. But right now, as they climbed onto the stage, Gracie's stomach felt like it was trying to leap out of her chest and start dancing. They could DO this! The gang got up behind her and began getting their equipment ready. But Gracie had nothing to prepare to keep her mind focused. She'd never been this nervous.

"Uhhhh…hi everybody," Gracie stuttered, taking the microphone and calling attention to everyone in the reception hall. Oh man…those were a LOT of eyes staring back at her. "I'm…I'm Gracie Possible, one of the bride's maids. My band and I would like to dedicate this song to my Aunt Monique and her new husband Uncle Felix. We are The Gang from Galway and this is Caledonia."

Mary and Billy struck up their notes; the moments leading to the lyrics dragged out for what seemed like an eternity. Here…here it comes; time to sink or swim.

I don't know if you can see

The changes that have come over me

These last few days I've been afraid

That I might drift away

She…she was doing it! She was actually singing in front of a crowd of people.

I've been telling stories, singing songs

That make me think about where I come from

That's the reason why I seem

So far away today

Aunt Monique and Uncle Felix moved out onto the dance floor where Aunt Monique sat on Uncle Felix's lap, slowly spinning in his wheelchair, their style of slow dancing. Mom and Momma weren't far behind. Gracie looked closely and could see tears in both her parents' eyes.

Let me tell you that I love you

That I think about you all the time

Caledonia, you're calling me

Now I'm going home

But if I should become a stranger

Know that it would make me more than sad

Caledonia's been everything I've ever had

Slowly, more and more couples began making their way out onto the dance floor. Emily and Zoe were cheering their heads off from the closest kids table. Those who weren't dancing eventually began clapping along with the tune. This…this was so indescribable!

Now I'm sitting here, before the fire

The empty room, the forest choir

The flames have cooled, don't get any higher

They've withered, now they've gone

But I'm steady thinking, my way is clear

And I know what I will do tomorrow

When hands have shaken, and kisses float

Then I will disappear

Gracie held the last note and the room erupted into applause. Her heart…oh man, it was going to thump right out of her chest. She chanced a look back at the gang. She wasn't an expert like Mom or Momma but they looked to be feeling the same way she did right now! Billy locked eyes with her, unslung the guitar, and ran up and embraced her. Jimmy and Mary were right behind and the embrace became a four way group hug.

"ENCORE!" Aunt Monique's voice was clearly recognizable over the applause.

"Thank…thank you," Gracie released her friends and stepped up to the microphone. "Thank you very much. We'd like to play another for you. This is Marie's Wedding. We hope you enjoy."

KPKPKPKPKPKPKPKPKP

Summer was coming to an end. Tourist season was in its last throes. But Shego was pleased to see that Helsinki hadn't changed much in the seven weeks since she and Ron had returned to Middleton. It was a wonderful sunny August day as the Possible clan piled out of the people mover and onto the sidewalk in front of Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs. Shego felt downright euphoric as she and Kim lead the girls inside. They were greeted by a cheery receptionist and directed to the upper levels to meet with their adoption agent.

Thank God for Global Justice! Adoptions by American parents were incredibly rare in Finland. Something like five in the last ten or so years if Shego remembered correctly. Under normal circumstances, it could've taken her and Kim months to officially get custody of Nicholas. But hey…rid the nation of a few dozen scumbags waiting just in sight of your capital city and have the might of an international military and espionage operation behind your back and bureaucracy didn't really stand much of a chance. The moment Kim and Shego got the official nod that the paperwork had gone through, everybody was on the first available international flight.

The family exited the elevator and was quickly flagged down by the very person they were looking for. "You must be the Possible family. I'm Dr. Dina Pajari." She offered a handshake to each of the parents and smiled down at the girls. "Now are you three ready to meet your little brother?"

Shego had to suppress a laugh. As excited as she was feeling, it didn't appear to hold a candle to the Gracie and the twins. Shego hadn't seen Gracie actually act "giddy" for lack of a better word since she was the twins' age. Dr. Pajari led everyone down the corridor and ushered them into the nursery at the end. There were several infant children in cribs around the room but Shego's eyes instantly landed on her son. Whoa…that thought sent a joyous chill down her spine; HER son! She and her glorious wife had a son!

Nicholas sensed the activity in the room and looked out through the bars, laughing at what he saw. Shego approached, walking on pins and needles, and smiled back at him. "Hey little guy; are…are you ready to go home?" Nicholas continued to laugh and reached up towards Shego, snagging her finger.

Elsa…I'm so deeply sorry for what happened, Shego looked into those piercing green eyes and…and all she could see was Elsa. I…I'll never be the mother that you were. You…you deserved to be there…for everything, his first steps, his first words. But I swear to you, Kim and I will give him the best home that we can. His sisters will adore him and will always watch out for him. So help me…we will NEVER let anything bad happen to him.

Shego leaned down and hefted Nicholas up into her arms. "Nicholas James Possible," Kim had approached and put slid her arm around her wife. She leaned in and planted a kiss on her wife and her new son. Gracie and the twins ran up, followed by Abby, and joined the ensuing family hug. "Welcome to the family."

Author's Notes:

And thus ends Game On! I know I decided to take the story in a slightly different direction when writing Shego's part. Shego and Kim were already proven to be phenomenal parents, both through Poetheather1's writing and hopefully my own, and ever since I finished writing Siblings, I felt that it would be interesting to explore Kim and Shego possibly adopting a son. My uncle was the youngest of seven with six older sisters so I think it's going to prove quite interesting for young Nicholas James Possible in the future.

The song "Caledonia" is the copyrighted property of Manhattan Records and is the intellectual property of Celtic Woman, arguably my favorite Celtic music group currently in existence. It is used without permission but for non-profit entertainment purposes.