Shego was nervous. Very rarely did she have to meet the parents of the people she dated; even when she did, she would put on an act of nonchalance and charm them in her own ways. However, with Kim's family, she wasn't too sure what would happen.

She was nervous to the point where she had asked Betty about the Possibles.

"Yo."

"Shego, haven't you heard of knocking? I closed my door for a reason: I didn't want to be disturbed."

"I need some help."

Betty put down her fashion magazines and stared at Shego. Very rarely did her friend directly ask for help; usually she'd beat around the bush or act all tough when she realised she was helpless. "What for?"

"Have you ever met the Possibles?"

Betty simply stared at Shego.

"What? Have you?"

Betty shook her head. "Why are you meeting them?"

Shego crossed her arms as she took a seat. "Thanksgiving."

"Ah," realised Betty. "For a second there, I got worried you were going to ask them for your blessing or something."

"Isn't that the same thing? Meeting them? They'll probably either approve or not, but I think Kim values their opinions."

"I haven't met them, no, but I know of them. Doctor Possible is a neurosurgeon and Doctor Possible is a rocket scientist."

"That much, I do know," retorted Shego. "You're not being very helpful here, Bets."

"You're the one asking for my help," quipped Betty. "What do you want to know about them?"

"Tell me whatever you know?"

"What ever happened to respecting Kim's privacy?"

"This has nothing to do with her ex, does it?"

"Believe me when I say that Doctor Possible flipped his shit when her ex started spreading lies."

"Oh."

"You're worried about making a good impression, aren't you?"

"Yeah..."

"Don't. Just be yourself."

"Being myself got me in more messes I could handle. You should know that."

"I do, but you've moved on. Trust me, the Possibles will appreciate your honesty. Don't be an ass to them, or Doctor Possible might just strap you onto the next rocket into space."

"That serious, eh?"

"No joke, Shego. He wasn't exactly impressed with Kim afterwards. The man can be such a klutz and goof, but if you mess with his family, he's just plain scary. Possibly crazy," laughed Betty.

Shego sighed. "You know, she sort of was expecting me to not go with her, but I said yes anyway."

"Because she might just need you for support, Shego," Betty said solemnly. "You know, she was so devastated and broken after what her ex did to her. I know you want to hear it from Kim herself, but since you're meeting her parents, you should at least know the premise of what happened."

Shego made no gesture for Betty to stop, nor did she prompt her boss to continue.

"He basically blacklisted her from all of her former connections, took what he could of her - even from the Middleton Daily. If it weren't for the Seniors and Bonnie, Kim would've ended up broke, and the paper would've declared bankruptcy. It's always the charming bastards who ruin everything."

Shego remained silent for a moment before speaking. "That's sort of like what happened with me..."

"It's an uncanny parallel, yes," Betty replied. "But Morgan didn't spread lies about you, especially through the media. With all his money and financial backing from his father, he could've done much worse to Kim. Yet, she's risen from the ashes and here she is, rebuilding the paper."

"Like a phoenix."

"She certainly has the hair colour for a phoenix," mused Betty. "I personally think the city never really believed the lies, but the social elite will always be scornful of her. I suppose it's a money thing - her money is 'new' compared to those who settled here during the homestead days. His money is old and probably filthy, but everyone thought they were a match made in heaven."

Shego shook her head. "You know, I always felt like crap after Morgan left me... And cheated on me. I can't really imagine how Kim must've felt. It must've been a million times worse."

"People are fools when they're in love, but even if they know that, they're still willing to take the gamble, Shego."

"Spoken like the true old woman you are."

A magazine was thrown at Shego's head, but it missed on purpose. "Very funny," Betty said dryly. "I think that just sums it up."

Shego sighed. "Drama and baggage, great." She rolled her eyes. She really didn't want to deal with parents who might send her off into space.

"Don't think that it's a bad thing. Look where you are right now. I think you're happy, and that's all that matters."

"I thought I was happy with Morgan, where did I end up after?" scoffed Shego.

"You took the gamble, only to be used," commented Betty. She shook her head. "I know you're still somewhat afraid of commitment after what happened-"

"Six years of my life wasted, Betty. And she took everything - the car, the house - anything she could get hold of, all the while I was supporting her through medical school. So saying that I'm afraid of commitment is wrong. I'm fucking terrified of commitment."

"Yet, you're in a situation where you now have to meet the parents."

"Yes..."

"Don't bail on her, Shego. You're both good for each other."

"How? So we can just end up wallowing in our own sadness and wonder why our lives were so fucked up?" seethed Shego.

"You care about her a lot. Everyone can see that. You've been happier since you've met her - this is the old Shego I knew back in college, not the one who wasted away drinking and reminiscing about lies that were fed to you by that low-life." Betty stared hard at Shego, making the pale woman squirm in her seat.

Sighing, Betty shook her head. "What are you afraid of, Shego?"

"I just don't want to be hurt again, but I know I won't be able to avoid it."

"I hardly think Kim would hurt you - remember, she's probably just as skeptical as you are. You both just have to move past your fears and just be happy. Hell, I like you a lot more when you're happy."

"Happiness often comes with a price, Bets."

"You've paid your dues, just do what your heart tells you."

"That sounds so cheesy," laughed Shego.

"It is, but isn't it the truth? Some of our best judgments are made when we don't think, but do."

Shego rubbed her hands; they were surprisingly clammy. "Thanks, Betty. I really do appreciate the pep talk."

"Just be yourself, I'm sure they'll like you for who you are."

Shego simply nodded as she walked out of Betty's office. When she was out of earshot, she mumbled to herself, "I just don't know who I am anymore sometimes."

Author's Notes: Betty's a caring sister...

Chapter title is from "Rumour Has It" by Adele.