Maslow
Ninnik Nishukan

Summary: What do you need? Different aspects of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs applied to Drakken and Shego's daily lives in no particular order. Add a spoonful of uncomfortable silences, and we're good to go.

Friendship, Part III

He was gone the next morning, and he'd taken her hover car, or rather his hover car, with him.

It was like a kick in the gut— and again, she knew what those felt like.

First, she'd just wandered around the tiny apartment in aimless circles, wondering if he'd just gone right down the street for groceries and that he'd be back soon. But no, he'd have probably left a note or something, then, right? And then she'd noticed that the hover car was gone—another hard blow.

She'd known that something had been wrong, that they were far from okay again, even if she'd gone to get him and even if she'd tried in her own, roundabout way to care for him, but she really hadn't imagined that he'd just leave.

Dr. D didn't do that. She did that.

Leaving people behind was almost like a way of life for her. It had started with her brothers. She'd gone on to ditch fellow villains, boyfriends, even Dr. D on occasion – but he didn't leave her.

It had been too easy to get him back, she realized. She should've known that it had been too easy, that it wouldn't last.

But if she had anything to say about this, it wouldn't end like this. Shego never gave up. Not like this. Not when her Dr. D was being silly. Hadn't he understood that she was sorry? Hadn't he gotten the point? She'd even given him her tears, however unintentionally— wasn't that enough? Didn't he understand what a privilege that was? No one ever saw or heard Shego cry.

Obviously not. So she needed to do more, even if it would be embarrassing and taxing for a person who very seldom tapped into that spectrum of her emotions. She'd never been good at being sensitive or apologizing, which was probably one of the great things about being a villain— villains didn't have to apologize. Except in some cases, they obviously had to. When they had sensitive employers with whom they had unusually close relationships, they had to.

It wouldn't be too easy to apologize to him, however, since part of her still felt that he should feel more than vindicated already after what he and his temporary sidekick had done to her, and didn't think he quite deserved to hear a 'sorry'. Whatever she'd end up saying to him, though, it was clear that she needed to talk to him.

So Shego locked up the small apartment and went out on a search, after jacking the fastest car she could find.

The only problem was that he had more hideouts and old lairs than he could keep track of, and he was always getting new ones.

It was probably going to take a while.

Drakken was whistling as he was busily welding away at one of the components of his latest experiment, which was hopefully going to be the intercontinental electro-magnetisizer when he was done with it.

Even after the Little Diablo fiasco, even after the whole ordeal with Warmonga and with Shego, he still wasn't giving up his life's dream. He'd had a temporary setback after the shock of losing even after all the security measures he'd taken the last time with keeping Kim Possible occupied and with how devious and well-executed his plot had been, but a couple of months in prison had given him plenty of time to think.
He wasn't giving up for anything, and especially not now, when his evil, creative inspiration was finally flowing freely again. Besides, in what other direction could one really move but forward?

Turning the welder off and putting it away, he took a quick bite out of the sandwich on the plate next to him, humming a little as he fumbled on the work bench for a wrench. He paused; where was it?

Blinking, he put the sandwich away and leaned forward, searching through the things on the bench. He could've sworn he'd put it right there just a few minutes ago—

"SHEGO! Shego, can you get me the—" Drakken froze as his own voice reverberated between the walls of his cavernous lab. Straightening his back, he slowly turned around, and was greeted by a vast, empty space. All the henchmen had gone home for the night, and he was alone in his lab. The eerie silence and the fact that the view of the lonely, empty lab was filtered through the purple lenses of his goggles didn't help any.

Pushing the goggles up onto his forehead, he frowned into the gloom of the large laboratory. He was standing in a solitary pool of light made by the lighting fixtures over his work bench, and was surrounded by shadowy corners and a high, dark ceiling.

He'd never been afraid of the dark, it wasn't that, but he rather...he didn't really like emptiness.

Right. Shego wasn't there, and she wouldn't be there tomorrow, either, or the next day or the day after that...

For just a second, he'd simply forgotten.

He swallowed slightly, a pressing sensation in his chest as he tried to not think about everything that had happened lately, what she'd done and what he'd done— he bit his lip as he tried not to wonder where she was and what she was doing and what she was thinking— was she angry? Was she— she couldn't be sad, could she?

Sometimes, if he wasn't paying attention, he remembered how her voice had sounded when he'd realized she'd actually been crying. Because of him.

And she'd had a point about how he'd treated her around Warmonga, it had been sort of— maybe she didn't reserve any more of his wrath—

But then his thoughts would wander further, and he would remember her cruel taunts or the way she'd been all clammed up, not able to apologize or to recognize his pain— whether she didn't want to or if she just didn't realize that he needed her to, he didn't know— even after everything...and then suddenly he'd remember why he'd made his decision to leave in the first place, and he wouldn't miss her after all.

Less, anyway.

He shouldn't have to remind himself to be angry, he thought worriedly as he stared down at his black work boots. He should just be angry. Well, he was angry at her sometimes, still, but mostly he just felt...strange. Like he didn't quite know what to feel. All he knew was that he didn't want to have to deal with her. Not now. Maybe never. Maybe.

It was almost frightening how easily her name had rolled off his tongue just now. Through the years, he'd gotten so accustomed to absently calling out for her, and it was a habit that was so deeply ingrained in him by now that it'd probably be a bit difficult to shake the urge to call her.

But it was peaceful here now, and he was free to work without anybody giving him sass. It was nice and...quiet.

Quiet was the key word, really. He'd noticed that he'd taken to talking to himself a whole lot more than he used to, and that was...not good. Talking excessively to yourself was only one step away from cackling, forgetting to shower for days and spouting things like 'Crazy! They all called me crazy! But I'll show them!', as far as he was concerned.

He was a mad scientist, but he didn't much like the prospect of actually going insane. There was a distinct difference there. Not that he thought he would go insane, but some company would be nice. Some company that wasn't a mass of dragging knuckles and bulky muscles wrapped in red suits, and who could actually contribute more to a conversation than 'Uhhh, yes, boss!'

Sometimes he wondered if his henchmen had been transported directly into his lair from some sort of bizarre dimension that was entirely populated by mobster goons from old forties Warner Brothers cartoons.

Other than the company, he'd never truly considered just how many parts Shego went out and bought or stole for him for whatever machine he was currently working on, either. Sure, often he provided the parts himself, but she really had done her share of work so he could concentrate on planning, experimenting, putting everything together and making sure everything worked. It was rather distracting, now, having to go out and get everything himself, or worse yet, sending his henchmen out to do it for him. It really slowed down the work process.

"I need a new assistant," He muttered as he shoved the goggles back into place and resumed his work.

After about twenty minutes, however, he gave up for the night and went to bed instead. It was already two am, anyway.

He decided to hire a new assistant as soon as he could. He needed more henchmen, too. Perhaps some that were actually competent.

After trying to call him up about a couple of dozen times, sending him at least twenty text messages and e-mails and after visiting seven different lairs in five different countries, Shego finally came to the right lair one Thursday evening.

After all this time— during which he'd obviously been ignoring her calls, e-mails and text messages— she was completely livid. She'd worked herself up into such a rage that she'd momentarily forgotten the guilt and the fear— now she was just focused on the anger and frustration over the long search she'd been through over the past week or two.

Which was why she nearly kicked down the door to the lab when she entered. Any henchmen who'd contemplated stopping her had quickly thought twice about it and deemed it a bad career move as they'd scurried out of her path.

"DRAKKEN!"

When her gaze finally met his dark eyes, where he stood with his goggles pushed up on his familiar, blue forehead as he leaned over his work bench, busily building something, a look of complete and utter surprise and shock on his face, the relief she felt almost overshadowed her anger, but only almost.

"Shego?" He asked in a puzzled tone, watching her panting angrily, her fists tightening. For a moment, seeing that familiar face, the black and green outfit and the long, flowing hair did something to him; it was as if something that had been wrong clicked back into place again, and his heart leapt briefly before he suddenly remembered again, he remembered—

"Drakken!" She roared. "Where have you been? I've tried contacting you millions of times!" She accused, striding over to him and grabbing him by the front of his coat.

"I know," he said simply. "I've changed my phone number and I've changed my e-mail address, too."

She froze for a second, and it almost looked as if she might've gasped if she hadn't caught herself. "What?" She demanded. "Why?"

"I wanted to be left alone," he said in the same even tones.

"Why? I thought—" Her lip curled with a snarl. "Who do you think you are? You can't do that to me!"

His only response was a long, piercing look, and she sagged just a little, letting go of his lab coat. Right, she thought absently, the pot calling the kettle black. I get it.

"Is this just— exactly how long are you going to want to be 'left alone'?" She demanded, trying a new approach, but her voice was a bit softer now.

For as long as you don't apologize and for as long as you don't show me somehow that you understand, he thought, but didn't say it. "I…don't know," he said feebly, and he could see her patience snap a second time, fire igniting within the depths of her eyes.

"Well— well, figure it out, for crying out loud! I want to come back to work! I'm not just going to wait around while you sulk!" She exploded. "I'm getting sick of this 'I'm so wounded' routine of yours!"

He could feel his body quivering with sudden, barely suppressed rage; she had all the tact of an elephant in a porcelain shop. What the hell was wrong with her? How could she think she could just come here and make demands from him? He was the one in the position to make demands! Was she really that insensitive or was she just being stubborn? Was she really that bad at handling things like this that the only approach she could take was an aggressive one? He decided right then and there that he would make her understand once and for all.

"Shego, it's not that easy. " He sighed. "I've already hired someone else."

Hearing that, it was as if the bottom dropped out of the world. It was as if her mind went into slow motion.

"…what?" She asked faintly.

"I'm sorry," Drakken said, shaking his head, "but I can't keep having you do this."

"Oh, come on…!" Shego rallied, scoffing. "You can't be serious! Don't you think this has gone on long enough? We're even now, okay? So just…stop acting all offended and hire me back, already!"

This didn't seem to impress Drakken, however. "I'm not naïve, Shego. " He continued sincerely. "When I started in this business, I knew I'd be meeting a lot of untrustworthy people. Before you, I worked with Dementor, and the guy ended up stealing my things and taking off."

That gave her pause; sometimes she almost forgot the fact that not only was he significantly older than her, but that he also had a few more years of experience with working as a villain. "You worked with Dementor?"

"Why do you think we're rivals?" Drakken said flatly, shrugging. "I'm used to betrayals, Shego, it's just that I guess I thought…I didn't think that you…"

She swallowed heavily, her mind momentarily waving away the word 'betrayals' for reasons of self-preservation. "Who did you hire?" She asked, changing the subject.

Drakken's eyes widened. "Well, uh, I don't think you know him—"

"Who?" She pressed.

"Um, just some guy—" He replied evasively.

"Where is he?"

"Shego, you can't—"

"I'm better than him, I'll prove it!"She told him fiercely as she took off for the training room.

"Shego!" Drakken called after her desperately before he wrenched the goggles off of his head, throwing them on the work bench and sprinting after her.

She looked around with a wild-eyed glare as she entered the training room, and just by the stare, several henchmen scattered, staying out of her path. Henchman, henchman, henchman, her mind raced as she went through the crowd of red-clad men— finally, her gaze fell on a tall, dark-haired, muscular-looking man dressed in casual clothing, and she immediately bore down on him, causing more henchmen to hurry away from her.

The stranger's face looked shocked as he caught sight of her, a woman who looked just about ready to kill, and he didn't stand a chance. He dodged the first kick with a lucky move, but she countered by grabbing his arm, pulling him off kilter and finally bringing him down with a low, sweeping kick and a loud thud. He was knocked unconscious, and he looked like he might be out for a while.

Turning around, she saw Drakken standing a few feet away amongst a mass of gaping henchmen. He looked every bit as flabbergasted as them.

"See? See?" She said vehemently, pointing at the fallen stranger. "I took him out in three seconds! Three! One, two, three! You can't get anyone better than me! No one!"

"That's not what it's about, Shego!" Drakken objected, exasperated.

"Oh, yeah? Then who's gonna fight the Princess for you now if he can't even beat me? Who's gonna put up with your rants and your karaoke and—"

"It's NOT ABOUT THAT, SHEGO!" Drakken repeated, his voice quickly rising in volume. Why wouldn't she listen?

Shego snapped for air, obviously worked up. "Then— then tell me what—"

"I don't want you working for me again because I can't trust you!" He blurted out, the blunt statement ringing out in the large room, echoing.

She fell silent, giving him a long, long, vacant stare before, to his great dismay, he noticed that tears were suddenly flowing down her cheeks. The odd thing was that Shego wasn't wailing or sobbing or making much of any sound at all, actually, except for maybe some sniffling that seemed to be the result of her trying to contain herself. He'd never seen anybody cry like that before; as if somebody had turned on a faucet, tears had simply started running down her face in great excess, and it didn't seem like they were going to stop soon.

"Shego!" He exclaimed as he approached her, shocked and discomfited, yet concerned.

"D-don't look at me!" She snapped, wiping furiously at her face with her hands, her face tightening with a painful grimace as she tried futilely to stem the flow.

"But Shego—"

She wasn't stupid; she knew she wasn't always a very trustworthy person, so that comment hadn't really cut her all that deep. What made her cry was the sudden full realization of the reality of his decision. She felt as if she'd tried everything, but nothing worked. He was still firing her, he was still saying goodbye— he really, really was, and she hadn't realized it until now, when it was too late. Not completely; she'd just hoped that—

"GET OUT OF HERE, YOU MORONS!" Drakken barked at the henchmen, who were all standing around, gawking dumbly at Shego in disbelief, and he sounded just irritated and upset enough to send them all practically stumbling over each other in their race to get to the door first. Soon, the training room was deserted, save for himself and Shego, and the passed out man on the floor.

"Shego?" Drakken asked softly as he stepped slowly towards her, reaching out a hesitant hand. She wasn't bawling openly, she just stood there silently with her back turned to him, her shoulders hunched and her hands covering her face.

When he finally dared to touch her shoulder, she spun around, startled, glaring at him through red-rimmed eyes.

"Shego, I—" He attempted, but she wouldn't let him speak, as she rushed at him abruptly, fists raised.

He jumped in fear, bracing himself for the impact—

—but the pain never came.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that she was leaning on his chest, slugging at his arm with all the strength of a kitten.

"What the heck do you want? We were even! I thought we were okay, I thought we'd made up again!" She accused angrily, pounding his chest weakly with her fists, "And then you just— you left!"

"Now I guess you know what it feels like." He said quietly, and watched her eyes widen fractionally as she lifted her face to look at him. She knew.

"You never actually hired anybody else, did you?" She paused, sniffling a little before she suddenly clutched the front of his coat in her fists, leaning her forehead against his chest and dampening the front of his lab coat with her tears, not hugging him but simply holding onto his coat and leaning on him. "If you did all this just to teach me a lesson, I'm gonna kill you," she muttered, burrowing her crying face into the fabric of his coat. "That's the most evil thing I've ever heard."

"And did it work?" He asked seriously, looking down at her sniffling, clinging form.

"Yes, it worked, you jerk." She gave a harsh, short laugh as she looked up at him, and he could tell there was a not insignificant amount of newfound respect in her tearful eyes.

"So, are you going to say the S-word?" He asked, patting her back slightly in answer to her emotional outburst, and couldn't keep a bit of humour from creeping into his voice, his mouth barely keeping from shaping itself into a grin. He'd never been very good at not acting it out when he felt self-satisfied.

She quirked an eyebrow. "Are you looking to rob me of all my dignity?"

"Maybe." He replied innocently.

She gave him another one of those endless looks before she cracked a small grin. "Fine. I'm sorry. Really." She told him, sounding earnest as she dabbed a bit self-consciously at her wet cheeks with the back of her sleeve.

"Good. And…um, I guess I'm sort of sorry for that whole mess with…Warmonga and all." Drakken confessed, slightly uncomfortable and reluctant. "I'm not sorry for what I did today, though." He added honestly.

The amused grin stayed in place, but turned lopsided. "No, I suppose you're just very, very smug."

A tiny, answering grin flitted across his face. "A little bit, yes."

"You bitch." Shego sighed happily as she pinched his cheek hard.

"Oww…!" Drakken complained, but there was no real reproach behind it.

It was odd, Drakken thought as he rubbed his slightly stinging cheek; if he'd done something this sneaky and manipulate against anybody else, they would've never wanted to speak to him again, but when it came to Shego, it only made her like him better. These were things she understood and respected. She only admired the fact that he'd displayed an ability to trick someone with as sharp a mind as herself if he really wanted to, though— if he'd actually hurt her with it, she wouldn't have been quite as lenient.

"So all that stuff with Dementor…?" She asked, laughter in her voice. He'd really gone out of his way to fool her, hadn't he?

"No, that was all true." He shook his head.

Her smile faded, the light-hearted atmosphere disintegrating as she quickly remembered that it wasn't all just fun and games— there was a very good reason why he'd done all this.

"Shego, you have to understand that at first, I didn't…it wasn't my intention to trick you like this to teach you a lesson. I actually…I really didn't know if I wanted to work with you again. I thought I didn't want you around anymore. That's why I left." He looked down at her feet. "But then you showed up, and…"

"I'm gonna work with you again, okay?" She said in a soft, yet defiant voice. "It didn't work out with those other guys."

"Why did you…?" He began to ask, almost afraid to hear the answer.

She just bit her lip and looked at him, and he shook his head dismissively. "You don't have to answer that."

The relief he sensed rolling off of her then was almost tangible. "Thanks." She muttered.

There was a faint groan behind them, and they both turned to see the man on the floor slowly regaining his senses.

"Who is that guy I just beat up, by the way?" Shego asked, curious.

"Huh? Oh, that's one of my new henchmen." Drakken flapped a hand in an uncertain way. "Um…Simmons or something."

"Oh," Shego grinned sheepishly, "but he wasn't wearing a uniform or anything…?"

"That's because he hadn't been fitted for one yet. They were just showing him the ropes today." Drakken informed her, shrugging as he looked up into the ceiling, "Y'know, don't fall in the shark pit," He began, gesturing vaguely. "Beware of teenaged redheads, don't touch any big, red buttons on the control panels, yadda, yadda, yadda…"

Shego laughed in disbelief. "So it was even his first day on the job, huh?"

"Well…yes." Drakken grinned crookedly as he realized the hilarity of it all. "Huh. I guess if he still comes back after that, he's a keeper, right?"

"Well, either that, or just too dumb to leave." She remarked, smirking.

"Actually, I hired this guy because he seemed like he was a bit brighter than the average henchman." Drakken said, crossing his fingers. "Let's hope I was right."

"Yeah, well, good luck," Shego grinned, shaking her head. "So, uh…what was the deal with you and Dementor, anyway?"

"Oh, it was just the strain of two super villains working under the same roof, you know how it is." Drakken shrugged, grimacing briefly. "Both are evil geniuses, both have big plans, neither are willing to compromise, and certainly not to be the sidekick…to tell you the truth, I would've probably done the same to him if he hadn't done it first. We weren't exactly close. We only worked together for a couple of months or so, and things were never good between us."

"I see." She said, nodding. There wasn't much else to say about that.

"Um, Shego…just wondering…" He began tentatively, shifting his weight from foot to foot a little. "Are you staying here tonight?"

Shego blinked, staring at him as a small patch of warmth began to bloom in her chest. Even if things seemed to be getting back to normal, she honestly hadn't expected him to invite her to live with him again that soon. "Uh…s-sure." She stuttered slightly before clearing her throat harshly; what was wrong with her? "I mean, yes. I mean, uh…is my stuff still here? I thought maybe you'd—"

"It's— everything is still where you left it." He said hastily, not wanting to get into an awkward conversation about whether he'd been so mad at her he'd taken an annihilation ray to her room or something. He'd thought about it, sure, but he hadn't been able to bring himself to do it. "You should have everything you need."

"Oh." Again, she felt the need to clear her throat, but softer this time. "Okay, good. That's just…okay. Great." She babbled slightly, the feeling of warmth doubling in her chest. He hadn't gotten rid of her things. Whatever the reason for it, whether he'd expected or wanted her to come back or whether he just hadn't had the heart to throw them away, it still made her feel…she didn't quite know what.

"Yes. Um, it's getting late." He said, glancing at her, "I'm going to stay up for a while in my lab, but if you want to…get reacquainted with your room or whatever, just…"

Shego nodded quickly, understanding his need to be alone for a bit after all the awkwardness. "Yeah, I think I'll just go and…yeah…good night, Dr. D." She said, and turned to go, when Drakken suddenly reached out and stopped her by the arm. Blinking, she turned her head.

"Shego," he began, clasping her left hand between his own hands as he looked at her imploringly, his voice steady and serious and just slightly strict. "You're not going to do this anymore, right?"

Her mind swam in confusion as she tried to figure out what he meant, but it was like lightning striking when she got it. He was asking her if she was going to stop abandoning him, to stop teaming up with other villains and—

—well, she'd tried it, and it hadn't worked out, so what reason did she really have for leaving him again, anyway? At least she knew she could trust him—

Then again, she wasn't the kind of person who could be tied down like that, who could be controlled, who—

Who could belong…

"I won't, Doc." She shook her head.

"Really, Shego?" He sounded more skeptical and mildly reprimanding than needy or whiny, his voice deep and serious, and she wondered if maybe he didn't know her better than she thought.

Her mouth tried to twitch into a disarming grin, but couldn't. "Wasn't planning on it, no…" She mumbled, looking down.

Drakken slowly let go of her hand as he realized what she was saying. She knew she couldn't promise anything, but she would try. He supposed he should feel grateful for that at least; he couldn't imagine that Shego had given any amount of loyalty even resembling this to anyone else.

"Thanks," he said, trying to meet her gaze, which was avoiding his.

Shego just nodded, shrugging.

Drakken smiled slightly as he walked past her to fetch the henchmen again so they could take care of his newest employee, who was still groaning on the floor.

Shego's eyes widened as, just for a moment, Drakken fingers squeezed her shoulder before patting it briefly. "Good night, Shego."

"Hmm, night…" She mumbled absently as a reply, not sure what she was supposed to feel about what he'd just done. On the one hand, she was happy that he wasn't angry at her anymore, but on the other hand, his gesture intimidated her because it had felt like he'd decided to dismiss her recent betrayals as simply something to do with her personality, as if it was just some silly, exasperating, yet charming flaw she had, but that she would never truly leave him, that she would always return…

It created a dent in her tough exterior, and she wasn't sure if she liked it. Apparently now he was convinced that she would stick with him, and she was going to try, but it made her squirm that he'd seen her like this today; that he'd seen her cry, that he now knew—

Somehow, she got the feeling that he'd believed deep down that she would have come for him eventually.

She didn't quite know how to feel about that.

Food, Part III, or; Somebody's Jealin'

Drakken hadn't been able to sleep well that night, and around four am, he felt the urge for a snack.

When he walked into the kitchen in slippers and pajamas, he saw her outlined in the light from the fridge in her robe, her hair sticking out slightly in all directions as if she'd just gotten out of bed without brushing her hair. When she heard him approach, she glanced around, a small container of yoghurt in her hand.

"Uhh...hi," He said tryingly, pointing slightly at the fridge. "I was just going to..."

"You too, huh?" Shego mumbled softly, a small, sheepish grin on her face as she moved aside so he could get to the fridge, her hand making an attempt at smoothing down her hair in a somewhat embarrassed kind of way.

"Yes," he said simply before he started going through the fridge. None of them mentioned the fact that neither of them were able to sleep at such a late— or early— time, but the words hung silently over their heads in large, blinking neon letters, asking for attention. There was a reason and they both knew it, but it was not to be addressed. For now, there was only this ridiculous politeness.

It was strange to be back together like this, Drakken thought. He'd spent a longer while than usual in prison this time, and he needed a few days or at least a few hours to readjust himself to living with Shego again, especially now after everything that had happened. There was a new tension between them because they hadn't really settled again after all the drama. Drakken hadn't had many friends when growing up, but he could imagine that this was what it might've felt like if his friends in college had ever apologized to him after they'd laughed at him for the whole Bebe incident. It would've been a while until he'd been fully comfortable with them again, and there would've been a small tear in his trust for them that might not ever be mended.

Drakken found himself some milk, some carrot sticks and some leftover chicken, and when he stood back up and closed the fridge door, he saw that Shego was standing at the counter, cutting up a green apple into little boat-shaped slices.

Clearing his throat softly, he sat down at the kitchen table and started on his snack.

There was a pause in the sound of the knife going through the apple, and Shego took a small breath. "Was Warmonga really better than me?"

A piece of chicken halted halfway to his mouth as he stared at her; he put the chicken down again. He hadn't expected that question. "Um, well..."

"Was she?" She repeated, putting down the knife.

"I, uh...she was a very good warrior, I have to admit. And she did give me all that highly advanced alien technology." He sighed. "Pity about losing all that, really."

There was a small pocket of uncomfortable silence before Shego started cutting up the apple again. "Right." She said, and her voice sounded tight with suppressed emotion.

Feeling like he definitely needed to elaborate, Drakken went on. "But she...she was only loyal to me because she thought I was that Great Blue whatever, and I suppose she was a bit too...literal at times."

"Uh huh…" Shego said noncommittally, and he gave an inward sigh. It looked like she wasn't going to contribute to the conversation and that he would have to figure out what she wanted to hear by himself.

"Like, um…well, when she threw you through the door when I told her to make you exit through the door. I didn't actually mean it that way." He rolled his eyes. "Sorry about that."

"I've had worse," she replied shortly, shrugging.

"Right." He agreed vaguely, nodding.

"So…I guess if you could still keep her around…" She began nonchalantly, but it was obvious to him that she actually cared about the answer.

"Shego," Drakken leaned forward, frowning at her. "She only worked for me under false pretenses, anyway— she ditched me the second she found out I wasn't who I said I was. I've realized later that I wouldn't have won, because ultimately, she would have found out. I had to trick her to get her to work for me at all. Having a nine foot Amazon alien around might've come in handy, and it was nice to get some actual support for once, but…she still wasn't you."

"Got that right." She said firmly, scoffing. He was amazed to see a tiny grin curling her lips as she ducked her head. That was strange.

"I mean, we have a lot of history together, Shego, and it's just…you know, I'm used to you." He cleared his throat, directing his gaze to his meal, which he'd barely even started on. "You know when to tell me I'm being silly, you don't just follow me blindly, and while the direct approach might be effective sometimes, I think that maybe Warmonga wouldn't have been much good at the subtler things like infiltration and theft and, um…general sneaking about."

"Yeah, 'cause of, you know, the whole thing with the ground shaking every time she took a step." Shego commented sarcastically, looking slightly smug. He did need her, she thought, smiling inside. She wasn't that easily replaceable, and not just because of her skills. No, because she was…she, and that mattered to him, apparently.

She had been jealous in a way, he realized then. She'd come back only to find herself replaced as his right hand woman, and she'd felt threatened. That was why she'd stopped Warmonga in the first place. Slowly, he felt himself able to retrieve the evasive sense of affection and companionship he'd felt for her before the whole thing. She did care, it seemed, and he finally felt himself forgiving her properly.

"Shego—" He began, but she beat him to it.

"Doc?"

"Hmm?"

Glancing at him, she stuck out her hand for him to shake.

He only stared at it, confused.

"Okay?" She asked slightly nervously, and he seemed to understand, then.

"Okay." He agreed, taking her hand and shaking it firmly.

"Okay." She smiled a little before digging into her yoghurt. "So, what's the newest evil plot, Dr. D?"

He grinned suddenly, brightening up at her display of interest. "Well, it's still at the planning stage, mostly, though I have started building some of the components." He gave a secretive, somewhat goofy smirk, "You'll just have to wait and see, won't you?"

Shego found herself smirking back. "Okay, Doc, I'll hold you to that, so it better be good." She challenged playfully.

"Oh, it will be," Drakken promised confidently before starting in on his snack again.

Shego glanced at him with a small smile, shaking her head a little as she idly swirled her spoon around in the yoghurt. She should've known he wouldn't give up, even after something like that.

Dr. D never gave up. It was like a law of Nature or something. He never quit.

She should've known.

"Silly me," Shego muttered to herself.

"Hmmph?" Drakken looked up quizzically, his mouth full of carrot.

"Oh, nothing…"

TBC.

Author's note: I just made that whole Dementor thing up. Why not? I like Dementor, really. It was just for the sake of the story.

EDIT (14.08.08): I've also rewritten this chapter slightly to make it in accordance with the rewritten version of the previous chapter.

Thanks again to my wonderful beta, Zoza, and also thanks to Teh Dipstick, who helped us in our time of need, when all means of communication were down. You can find his D/S fics, Taking a Break and Jail Break in my list of favourites.

Friendship, Part III and Food, Part III, or; Somebody's Jealin' are obviously set after Mad Dogs and Aliens.