Disclaimer: I do not own Kim Possible. She is owned by Disney and Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley. Any original characters shown or mentioned belong to me and cannot be used without permission. Got it?

Maternal Instinct: Spotlight

Chapter 14: Jade II-Opening Up

Deep within the hidden compound of the Worldwide Evil Empire, their agents trained to keep not only their minds but also their bodies in top form. To help with this goal they were provided with a start-of-the-art work out center that contained weight lifting machines, rock climbing walls, treadmills, stationary bikes, mats for sparing matches and of course punching bags. One of the heavier ones was currently being used by one of their new, yet highly ranked, agents; Jade.

The Shego clone was dressed much more causally than usual. In place of her black body suit and green business half jacket, she was wearing a black tank top and green sweat pants as well as a pair of thick, red boxing gloves to protect her hands. Her eCapsule Micro was tucked inside her right pocket with the ear buds firmly planted in her ears, drowning out the sounds of clanking weights. Her only focus was the target in front of her. Not on the punching bag itself but rather the picture she had pinned to it. A picture of a pale green skinned woman with long black hair and a smirk of superiority that let everyone know she was in charge.

Those who didn't know any better would swear the picture was of Jade herself. But instead it was a picture of the woman she was cloned after: Shego. The woman she was designed to be like. The woman everyone expected her to be. The woman whose very existence seemed to irritate the hell out of her! They hadn't even met and already she hated her more than anyone else she knew. She knew that they'd meet eventually and then, then, she'd make her pay for...everything!

Jade was so caught up in her anger that she barely noticed a new song had started playing on her eCapsule even as she started to punch in rhythm to the music.

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)

With every note and punch her anger seethed more and more. It always did when she thought about Shego. It was like the rest of the world faded away and all she was left with was a burning anger that blocked everything else out. An anger that just left her feeling so...empty.

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more awareI'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

She gritted her teeth together tightly as she forced the tears away from her eyes. She hated this feeling! This feeling that she was never going to be anything more than a Shego clone. That no matter what she did in life she'd always been considered just a copy of someone else. It was especially hard since that's exactly what everyone wanted her to be.

Gemini wanted her to be like Shego so she could be his second-in-command like Shego use to be for Drakken. Never mind the fact that she always made snarky remarks that usually put down Drakken's "brilliant plans". No really what Gemini wanted was someone who would be loyal to him for a decent paycheck. Much to her chagrin, that's pretty much what she wanted up doing anyway. So that just brought on another round of self loathing.

What was really annoying though was Kim's reaction when they had first met. Her and her own clone "Anna". Both of them wanted to follow in Shego's footsteps as well and become some goodie two shoes, prissy hero. Just because she had Shego's memories of being in Team Go and her pregnancy didn't mean she had that change of heart as well. But they kept pressing that whole time they were suppose to be fighting. It didn't sway her and in fact all it did was remind her of how she'd always be in Shego's shadow.

Can't you see that you're smothering me
Holding too tightly afraid to lose control
Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take

Her right fist lashed out and struck the picture right in it's smirking mouth. Oooh how she hated that smirk! It haunted her at night. Especially since she saw it nearly every time she looked in the mirror! She had worn that very smirk hundreds of times and when she thought about it nearly drove her insane! In fact the whole situation was enough to make a person crazy. Every decision she made, every thought she had, every move she made could be seen as Shego's instead of her own. In fact did she even have any thoughts of her own?

The whole thing was overwhelming and gave her a migraine almost everyday. It was why she drank as much as she did, to help drown out all those thoughts. She would never admit that to anyone of course but it was the only way she could think to deal with it. To drink and drink until she couldn't think of anything at all and the pain was just numbed away.

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

The times she wasn't trying to drink herself stupid, she was doing all she could to differentiate herself from Shego. It was task much easier said than done. Mostly because she was aware that every instinct she had was more or less the same as Shego's so she had to go against them if she really wanted to make herself known. The problem was she actually liked some of those instincts. She loved being the snarky bitch that put down people for being stupid. Yes, it was definitely a Shego thing but damn if it wasn't fun! There really was nothing that said she couldn't be a smart ass, she'd just have to be a different kind of one from Shego.

Course that pretty much summed up her whole existence. Trying to break out of Shego's shadow. She wasn't doing a very good job of it so far. But she'd find a way, some way. Eventually.

And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you

The ironic thing about the whole situation was that getting out of someone else's shadow was exactly what Shego did when she left her overbearing family. She'd probably react the same way they did, disappointed and disgusted. But that was just fine with Jade. Let Shego be pissed at her for staying evil and making all the "wrong decisions". It was just proved she was doing something right by not being like her. Besides, who the hell was she to have a holier than thou attitude?! If it wasn't for her then Jade wouldn't have these feelings at all.

So yeah it all came down to being Shego's fault! She was the one Jade was cloned after her. She was the one that decided to go goodie goodie just cause she had a kid. She was the one who would be more judgmental. It was her memories that kept Jade up at night. It all went back to Shego! It was all just too damn much!

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you

Jade ground her teeth together as her punches became stronger and stronger, moving the heavy bag on it's chain and crumpling the picture taped onto it. She didn't care what she looked or sounded like at the moment. It felt good to let loose and get all this out. She continued to punch in time with the song, her fists feeling the impact even though the thick boxing gloves. She stopped punching just a bit to add a few kicks in every few seconds. With every punch and kick she delivered she could feel her anger getting hotter and hotter until it seemed to reach its boiling point.

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I've become so numb I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be

As the song wound itself down, Jade cocked her right arm back as far as she could to throw one last, devastating punch. The fist she threw forward seemed to carry with it all her anger and hatred towards Shego and her whole miserable existence. The anger she felt was so great that she inadvertently ignited her plasma powers. The boxing glove only lasted a few seconds before it was vaporized in a cloud of green fire. It evaporated just in time for her flared up fist to punch not only through the remnants of the picture but also the bag itself.

She stood still for a few seconds and breathed heavily as sweat poured down her face. When she regained her composure she pulled her fist out and watched for a second as sand started pulling out of the gapping hole she had left. She turned off her eCapsule and as she took out the ear buds she turned to notice that everyone in the immediate area was staring at her in shock.

"What?!" she snarled.

When no one said anything she merely let out an annoyed "hmpf" before she ripped off the remaining boxing glove as she walked towards the women's locker room. It seemed to be empty, which she was thankful for as she really didn't feel like dealing with anyone at the moment. She stopped in front of the locker she had claimed awhile ago and placed her left hand on combination lock. She paused when she brought her right hand up to inspect it. It tingled a bit but didn't seem to have any serious burns on it. Thankfully it seemed she was mostly immune to her own plasma and she did heal fast so it wouldn't be much of a problem.

She flexed her fingers a bit just to make sure and when she was satisfied it was fine she quickly dialed in the combination to open the lock. She wound the headphone wires around the eCapsule itself then carefully set it inside the locker before she quickly shed her clothes and placed them inside as well. She grabbed the towel off the hook then shut the door and made her way over to the large, multi headed shower stall. She left her towel on one of the hooks as she stepped inside the stall and went over to one of the heads in the corner. She turned on the shower and let out a slight shriek as the cold water hit her first but she quickly adjusted them to a more comfortable setting. She let out a content sigh and leaned her head against the wall as she let the mildly hot water wash over her body and sooth out all her knots. She ran a hand through her long, wet hair to get it out of her face and stared down at her feet.

Despite the rather therapeutic workout session she still wasn't really sure how to handle her conflicting emotions. Course it's not like she could really go talk to someone about it cause honestly who could even begin to understand what she felt like? Only Anna and there was no way she was talking to that stuck up bitch. So she was just gonna have to deal with it. Somehow.

Jade's head snapped up when she heard the loud squeak of shower nobs turning and looked over to see another women using the showerhead right beside her. Like most of WEE agents she was trim and had a nice athletic body topped with shoulder length strawberry blonde hair. And, Jade noticed, as fairly nice set of medium sized breasts. She tried not to stare too long as she was still trying to keep her sexuality a secret among the organization. Not that she was ashamed of it she just didn't feel like dealing with most of the comments she'd probably get from everyone. It'd just be too much trouble to kick that much ass practically everyday.

She moved her eyes away from the woman's body just in time to inadvertently lock gazes with a pair of baby blue eyes. Jade blushed dark green for a second before she turned her head away in hopes of avoiding any uncomfortable questions.

"Did I interrupt something?" the woman asked in a teasing voice.

"Uh no I was just...uh..." Jade stammered.

"Right."

There was a long pause between the two before the blonde spoke up again.

"So...I would ask you if you're really Jade but I already know that," she confused.

The pale green woman arched an eyebrow at that remark. "You do?"

"Yeah. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a...fan of yours."

"A fan? Isn't that a bit...unprofessional?"

"A bit, but a lot of the women here feel the same way."

"Really?" Jade asked, sounding honestly surprised.

"Yeah. Most of us respect that fact that a woman holds such a high position in WEE. Of course some are upset that you were just handed that job but everyone know exactly why it was handed to you."

"Wow," Jade muttered. "That's kinda...flattering." She then coughed and straightened her stance a bit. "Course I can understand why everyone would look up to me. I am really kick ass after all."

"And so modest too," the other woman smirked.

"Yeah and that's not a cliche at all."

"Alright you caught me, but you have to admit it worked."

"I don't have to admit anything," Jade smirked back. "So what's your name anyway?"

"Agent Theta Gamma Delta reporting," the blonde fired back with a sharp salute. "Which ironically was my sorority house."

"Huh, weird how that works out. So when you're not dressed in one of those ridiculous uniforms what do you call yourself?"

"Amy," she replied as she held out her hand.

"Of course you know who I am," Jade remarked as she shook the offered hand.

"Of course," Amy nodded.

The sounds of running water soon filled the stall was another bout of silence passed between them. Jade continued to brush her hair away from her face as Amy used a bar of soap to wash away the stink of sweat from her body. After a moment of the silence Jade looked over to the other woman again.

"So...when you said that a lot of the women here hold me in a high regard...what exactly did you mean by that?" she asked.

"Just what I said," Amy replied. "I mean it's not easy for a woman to advance in an organization like this so seeing one in one of the top spots is a bit of an inspiration. Plus, personally a lot of us are...well... I guess you could say we're fans of yours."

"Fans?"

"Yeah," the blonde confessed with a bit of a blush. "In fact some of use get together every so often for a poker game to talk about how things are going and your name comes up a lot."

"That's...a little creepy."

"I guess it is. Sorry I don't mean to come off as some kind of stalker or crazy fan girl or anything. Just saying a lot of us look up to you. In fact, I'm sure they'd enjoy it if you showed up at one of the games."

Jade was taken by surprise by the request and quickly turned her head back towards the wall.

"I...don't think so," she said.

"Okay I admit that asking you in the shower probably isn't the best way to go about it, but it's nothing like...that."

"Like what?"

"Well...you know..." Amy hesitated to just come out and say it.

"What?" Jade insisted.

"It's not like I'm asking you out or anything. I mean I like you but not in that way."

"Good! Cause it's not like I'm like that either!"

"Not what I hear," Amy muttered.

"WHAT?!" the pale green woman snarled.

The blonde took a step back and held up her hands defensively.

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it there are just some...stories going around."

"What kind of stories?!"

"Some very...interesting ones from your trip to Komchoka," Amy revealed.

"Oh you are kidding me!" Jade screamed as she laid her head against the wall again. "And I thought I was so careful about that."

"So...it's true?"

"Yes it's true! I'm a lesbian! Got a problem with it?!"

"No of course not. There are plenty of rumors about some of the other women and even some of the guys. It's not a big deal."

Jade turned her head towards Amy while still keeping it press to the wall. "Really?"

"Yeah. So don't worry about it."

"That's helps a bit. But if Gemini finds out about it he probably won't be too happy."

"Oh don't worry about that. No one tells him anything, they're too afraid of falling through some hole in the floor if they do."

"Yeah I've always wondered about that. Mostly how he built all those damn things. Or where they go."

"I don't think I want to find out," Amy remarked.

"No kidding," Jade chuckled.

"Wait, was that a laugh?"

"Maybe."

"So you can have a good time after all," the blonde teased with a smirk.

"Of course I can. It just takes the right environment."

"Like said a small room with cards, poker chips, light snacks and some alcohol?"

That last item really caught Jade's attention and her eyes sparkled a bit at the thought.

"Wait, you have booze there?"

"Most of the time, yeah."

"Hmmm..." the pale woman mused as she rubbed her chin in thought.

She then reached over to turn off the shower then started to walk out of the stall. Amy watched her as she went, afraid she might have said something wrong.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

Jade stopped and looked over her shoulder at her. "To go study up on my poker skills. Figured I'd freshen up for the next session," she explained with a small smile.

She noticed that Amy smiled back and she gave the blonde a quick nod before she grabbed the towel and wrapped it around herself. She grabbed another one near by and used it to start drying her hair as she thought over what had just happened. She came into the gym to work out some of her frustrations and ended up being invited to a poker game with a bunch of women who apparently looked up to her.

Funny how things work out, she thought with a slightly confused smirk.

The End.

Author's Notes: Alright there's another one down! Still took me a bit longer than I'd like but I'm starting to get my groove back. This is one of those fics I've had in my head for awhile cause...well honestly I just thought that song fit Jade very well and I loved the image of her burning away the boxing glove. Kinda wish I could see it animated. Oh well maybe someday.

Now as for this poker game and what's going on with her and Amy and this little group? Well that will come into play later. Yeah I know I'm a bit of tease not showing it now but I like ending it here. It's Jade opening up right away but it's a step in the right direction which is why she really needs. As you can probably tell by now she's got a lot of things to work though. A lot.

Perhaps someday she'll find someone that will truly get her to open up and love her and help her fill the void in her life. Actually I'd say that's quite likely. As for who and when...well...that might be awhile.

Hope you all enjoyed the story and I'll see ya next time!