One of my favourite quotes got me this title for the chapter.
Let's continue.
Chapter Nine:
A Comma, a Question mark or an Exclamation point
Shego glanced over. There was a man a bit taller than her standing by the table. He had short blond hair in a military cut and the slightest of accents in his voice, but Shego couldn't pinpoint. She wasn't sure how comfortable she was talking to him. She'd much rather go over the new information she had just learned about Kim.
"Depends on why she is."
"Come here alone, or did your date leave you here?"
"Neither."
He raised an eyebrow. "Would I be chased away if I sat down?"
"Probably."
"But not definitely." He sat, causing her to frown.
"I may not be here with a date, pretty boy, but I am here with someone. She's a lot more interesting than you."
He didn't take the hint. Instead, he introduced himself. "I'm Eric."
Had to be that name, didn't it? Screw you, universe. "I'm not interested."
"Aw, come on. I'm pretty nice." He leaned forward, elbow on the table.
"Yeah, well, I'm not." She glanced over to see Kim was no longer where she had been flirting with the woman. Kimmie, I could really use your help right about now...
"A pretty little thing like you? I doubt that."
She very nearly lit up her hand but remembered Ward's warning at the last moment. "Looks don't govern that. Just because I'm good looking doesn't mean I don't have a nasty temper. Which I do. Don't tempt me to use it."
"I just wanna talk," he answered. "And maybe later we can have a... more intimate conversation."
Shego scowled, but was saved from having to reply. "Shannen, is something wrong?"
Oh thank God, Kimmie. Perfect timing. She grinned, feeling Kim's presence beside her. "Hey, Pumpkin. Nothing is wrong, pretty boy here was just leaving."
He frowned, looking up at Kim. "Kim Possible..?"
She nodded, a friendly face covering any kind of threat she harbored. "In the flesh. And maybe you should leave my friend here alone." She set a hand on Shego's shoulder as she spoke, a kind of subconscious message she had learned to send long ago. Some men tended only to listen if the "territory" was "claimed".
He grumbled under his breath and left the two.
Shego let out a breath. "Thanks, Kimmie. He wasn't picking up on my hints."
"No problem." Kim smiled at her friend. "Should we look around now? I think it's been long enough, and they're going to start the speech about the exhibit."
"Perfect time to slip out." Shego stood. She led them towards the path she had chosen. Casually, she slipped her arm through Kim's, pulling her close enough to speak to her without others hearing. "Guards pass by every fifteen minutes. Last one was two minutes ago."
Kim nodded and followed the thief's lead. "Well, this is certainly a first," she whispered. "Purposely casing a place. I mean, we aren't stealing anything, but it still feels weird."
"It's fine, Princess. I've got your back. For now."
Kim grinned. "You so care." Only a grumble was the response received. "Wade gave me some micro cameras to place up. I've already put some around the room, just in case."
"How'd you find time to do that when you were flirting with that woman?" Shego smirked.
The hero rolled her eyes. "We need to get a few more up so Wade can monitor what's going on and get us here as early as possible when he catches something."
They turned the corner, now out of sight of anyone who was at the party. Shego released Kim's arm, though she was reluctant to. They kept their voices low as they worked.
Kim slipped two fingers under the edge of her dress at the side of her breast. She pulled out a small, nearly flat bag.
"Kimmie, that looks like you just pulled out drugs or a condom," Shego commented.
Kim rolled her eyes. "These are micro cameras."
The thief raised an eyebrow. "You stuck miniature cameras that the nerdlinger has a direct link to inside your bra?"
"I trust Wade!" Shego gave her a look. "And… I kept it on the outside of my bra."
"There's the truth." She gestured down the hall. "Come on. Quick and quiet."
They were just that as they went to work. Their focus was on the room the amethyst was to be moved to once the gala was over, but they expanded out to include the nearest skylights and emergency exits too. Within eight minutes, everything was set.
"We're done then?"
"Just let me double check with Wade and-"
The soft sound of foot steps echoed down the hall. Caramel met olive.
"Someone's coming," they both spoke at once. Their minds flew to the most logical conclusion: the museum guard. That was never good when it looked like they were casing the place.
Shego wasn't sure what to do. Usually in such a situation, she'd find a spot out of sight, but she wasn't about to leave Kim out in the open like that. Her plan B was always knock whoever had the misfortune of discovering her out. Once again, Kim would try to keep that from happening. Shego couldn't believe that she didn't have a decent solution to their problem. Goddamnit, Kimmie! I'm blaming you for this.
Amongst her thoughts though, Shego didn't realize Kim had formulated her own solution. Kim caught Shego off guard and pushed her back against the wall. "Princ-" All thoughts stopped when Kim's lips crashed down onto Shego's neck. A gasp escaped from her lips, fireworks going off under the skin Kim had her mouth on. She froze up, not sure what to do. Green static traveled over her hands and up her arms as she fought to control it. For a split moment, green flashed were the warm brown of Shego's eyes should have been.
The kiss was broken just long enough for Kim to whisper, "Just play along."
Oh... Oh! Now Shego understood. She let her hands rest on Kim's waist as Kim's hands settled on her hips. Pink lips once again met the diluted umber skin that hid Shego's green hue as a man came around the corner. He wore a black tuxedo that had come unbuttoned and exposed a recently stained white undershirt. He was portly and had thick brown hair on his head. He was escorted by a woman in a light blue dress. She was taller than him, both naturally and with the help of her heels. She kept him from falling over; he was obviously drunk. (Shego applauded herself for making these observations when Kim was applying probably fake, but very convincing kisses to the base of her neck. Damn, could she kiss.)
"Not a guard," Shego murmured into Kim's ear.
"Oh, dear," the woman spoke, having noticed the two.
Kim broke away, a furious blush on her face. Apparently she had been affected by her distraction too. She gulped as she turned to them. "Sorry..." she said aloud. "We didn't think, uh, anyone would end up back here..."
The woman blushed. "Ah, no, we're sorry. We thought there might be an exit this way, so my husband here wouldn't get so embarrassed about leaving in this... state."
Shego cleared her throat and jerked a thumb towards the exit she and Kim had already checked out. "There's one that way."
"Ah, thanks," the woman replied. "Sorry for… interrupting." She guided her husband away.
"They got the right idea," he mumbled as he was brought away. "We should do that…"
"No, William, not now. You're drunk."
And like that, they were gone.
Kim let out a sigh as she turned to Shego. "Sorry. It was all I could think of."
Shego waved a hand as though clearing smoke from the air. "Caught me off guard there, Cupcake. But I guess I can't complain." She took a few steps back towards the party, a smirk on her face. At the last moment, she turned to Kim again. "And next time, Kimmie? I'm the one that does the pinning." She left with a wink, proud to have kept her composure after that.
Shego returned to the party, hand ghosting over the smudges of lipstick left behind by Kim's lips.
So that settles that. Kimmie plays for the other team, most likely. I'll have to double check that... Meanwhile I'm back and forth between teams and filling in where I find a spot and… Really thinking I wouldn't mind filling in next to Princess. But, for all I know, she still doesn't like me but does. I mean, I get that we're friends now, but has she actually forgiven me for all that shit? For Eric? I didn't know about him, it was one of Drakken's only decent plans. Really fucking horrible at the end, but still.
Shego's hand followed back to where her scars were just barely hid. She was pretty close to those. Let's hope she doesn't see 'em, eh? I'm not sure how that would go down. A sigh escaped the woman as she returned to her seat. So she might like ladies. But do I have any chance? ...I was really hoping she'd be straight so I could just forget it. She repressed a frustrated growl. Women are so confusing.
She grabbed a glass of champagne off of the passing waiter's tray and downed it. She really didn't want to think about Kim or dating or anything that threatened to overcome her thoughts. So she focused on their job. It would've worked, if not for Kim being her partner for the job. Fuck...
Kim, meanwhile, was where Shego had left her. Her face still burned red, but she had a job to do. She couldn't just stand around and think about how much she had enjoyed her solution to their temporary problem. "Wade," she spoke, lifting her wrist to see the kimmunicator watch.
"Yeah, Kim?" The boy's image appeared and he gave her a curious look. "You okay? You look a little flushed."
"Fine. We were almost caught is all."
"And that made you blush?"
"Wade, are the cameras all set?" Kim deadpanned, avoiding the mention of how they had gotten out of their situation.
"Uh, yeah," he replied. "All are functional. Minimal audio, but that's because they're fairly small."
"Okay. I'm gonna go back to the party. All we have to do now is wait for the thief."
Silence hung between Kim and Shego until they reached the hotel room.
Kim was the first to speak. "Shego, I'm sorry I did that back there."
Shego shrugged. "What's that phrase you say? Oh yeah. It was "no big"." She moved to her suitcase, retrieving a change of clothes. "But you do know what that means, right?" She slipped the sub-rosa from her wrist and her tanned skin returned to the pale ivory green she was used to.
Kim paled. "... What?"
Shego grinned. "I have to get you back for it, of course." I could do it now. Change right here. Take off my dress and slip on my pajamas… But it'd be too soon. I have to catch her off guard. But if I do it right now, maybe… No, no. Not following that path. Too tempting.
"Shit."
With a chuckle, Shego walked towards the bathroom. "Goodnight, Kimmie."
"Cool! A hologram Pearl!"
"Aw, geez…"
Kim watched the screen, a small smile on her face. Kids cartoons were one of her guilty pleasures. Wade had hooked her up with the english version on the tv instead of the french dub that would be playing.
The door opened, allowing Shego inside. Her eyes drifted to the television.
"Do you wish to engage in combat?"
"What're you watching?" she asked, a skeptical eyebrow raised.
"Let this be the perfect battle."
"Steven Universe."
Shego watched the scene play out, her arms crossed.
"You've already made a mistake by challenging me!" spoke a translucent character in a robotic tone.
A woman with the same look, but more emotion and less translucency replied. "Ha ha! We shall let our swords decide."
To the side, a shorter woman with a purple skin tone yelled at the two. "Neeeerd!" She was shushed by the woman and boy beside her.
Shego let out a chuckle. "I like the purple one."
"Me too," was all Kim replied.
"Is this all you've done today?" The thief asked, stepping partially in front of the television.
"Yes, and can you move, I haven't seen this one," Kim complained before adding in a hasty "please and thank you".
Shego grinned. "Why, Princess, it's like you're not happy to see me!"
"Shego!" came a whine. Kim looked up at her friend. "Please? I haven't seen this one and it's hard to catch up..."
Shego stood firm between the redhead and the television. "Why should I?"
Kim dug deep and pulled out her trump card. "Pleeeease?" Her pout was in full force and incredibly effective.
"Match set."
"Shit. Fine, Pumpkin, finish up your show and get ready for the gym. I'm keeping my promise from yesterday."
"Challenger wins!"
Kim smiled and nodded. "Got it!"
Shego stomped away, grumbling. She dug into her suitcase and pulled out her workout clothes. She went for a simple grey tanktop and well fitted shorts. She stepped into the bathroom to change and pulled her hair up and out of the way while she was at it.
It was a few minutes before she stepped out. Kim had yet to move farther than grabbing her own change of clothes. Her eyes were still glued to the television.
"Almost done, Cupcake?"
Kim nodded, not really paying attention to Shego. "Yeah, yeah, hold on…"
The thief humphed and sat down on the side of her bed. When the episode ended (Finally…), Kim jumped off the bed and changed quickly into her clothes. She wore a dark green sports bra, her midriff exposed. She had a pair of black shorts as her bottoms. Shego's eyes lingered on the exposed skin for half a moment before she stood.
"So, kids cartoons?"
Kim pursed her lips. "I like watching them."
"Little baby Kimmie, just the same." She crossed her arms. "Let's go. I plan on kicking your ass."
"So not gonna happen."
A pained cry sounded, traveling through the thin walls. Those that heard didn't care, and those that cared were long gone.
Standing above, past the observation glass, stood a figure. Her cruel eyes, a monotone grew with the slightest hint of red around the pupil, focused on the subject below.
"Stop."
After a moment, the scream stopped, leaving the subject alive, but only just.
"Results?"
"Transformation on thirty percent of extremities. Heartbeat at seventy per minute. Vitals are slowly returning to normal."
The woman smiled, a certain heartlessness showing through. "Perform same experiment on subjects two twenty seven, three fifteen, and four eighteen through four thirty. Engage control systems. And have First Officer Seido report to me."
"Yes, sir."
"I believe it's time to do inventory."
The sole reason I updated a bit early is a friend of mine mentioned I should.
I hope you enjoyed. Shego certainly did.
Thank you for reading and reviewing!