When the DVD finished playing, Kim had hugged Hana and whispered something inaudible into the teen's ear. Hana nodded and kissed Kim on the cheek before leaving to go to bed. Shego caught her before she went up the stairs and ruffled her hair.

"Merry Christmas, Hana."

"You too, Shego." The teen hugged the older woman and mumbled, "Thanks for putting a smile on Kim's face again."

"Any time."

Kim watched the two from the hall as her mother approached. "They get along quite well," commented Anne.

Kim nodded as her mother put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about Hana, Kim. She's strong. Give her time." Anne squeezed her shoulder. "You too. We all miss them."

"Thanks, mom."

Shego was walking towards the two women and noticed the somber looks on their faces. She felt a bit helpless because she couldn't help them in any way, but when Kim smiled at her, she realised that the Possible family would overcome the grief in due time.

Kim took Shego's hand in hers and Anne bid them good night to join James with cleaning the living room. The presents were all placed under the tree now and even a plate of cookies and glass of milk was left out on the table closest to the tree.

Squeezing Kim's hand, Shego led them upstairs to Kim's loft. The redhead sat next to the window that overlooked her street. She pointed in the distance, "All the lights..."

Shego peered out the window and saw the rest of the neighbourhood illuminated in a haze of red, yellow, and green. "It's pretty," she commented. "My neighbourhood probably pales in comparison..."

"I never noticed the colours before... All the Christmases in the past were dull and boring, but this year, it's been different. You brought colour back into my life again... I can't thank you enough."

Shego cupped Kim's face and used her thumb to wipe the lone tear that fell. "I should be the one thanking you, Kim. If you had walked away, we wouldn't have this." She leaned in and smiled as their foreheads touched. "Merry Christmas, Kim."

The redhead smiled as warm lips touched her own.


Kim quietly tiptoed down the stairs as she made her way to the living room. The presents were still under the tree but she noticed that the glass of milk and cookies next to the tree were gone.

As she edged her way over to the tree, someone cleared their throat. Kim looked at the door frame and was surprised she didn't hear her girlfriend follow her downstairs.

"Really, Pumpkin, you should wait until the rest of the family's up before going through the presents."

Kim blushed as she smiled sheepishly. "Just wanted to see what you got me... But I should wait for everyone to wake up..."

Shego smirked. "Bad Kimmie, maybe I should just take your present back then."

Kim pouted, but then grinned. "It's ok, I already have the best present of all."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"You," said Kim as she planted a kiss on Shego, before realising they had an audience.

"Ugh, Kim, get a-"

"-room!" shouted the Dweebs as they stared in horror at their sister making out with her girlfriend.

"Now, boys, let then have their moment," laughed Anne as she picked up the empty glass and plate. "Although, this is what I did not expect to see when I came down for Christmas morning."

Kim and Shego blushed and then shuffled to the back of the room as Anne laughed.

"What's all this ruckus?" asked James as he entered the room. "All of you woke up early to open presents?"

Everyone in the room answered in unison, "Yes!"

James laughed. "I think Hana's still asleep, let's just have breakfast first before we open presents, ok?"

The twins groaned in disappointment as Kim and Shego followed Anne into the kitchen to help start breakfast.

"Kimmie, can you go set the table and wake Hana? Shego and I can handle the actual cooking," said Anne.

"Sure, mom," replied Kim as she took a stack of plates into the dining room.

"Shego, how do you fare with cooking scrambled eggs and pancakes?"

"Ok with the eggs, not so good with making pancakes..." replied Shego.

"If it's ok with you, can you start on the eggs? I'll show you the Possible secrets for making the perfect pancakes." Anne handed Shego an apron as the pale woman tied up her hair.

"Should I be flattered that I get to help out for breakfast?"

Anne smiled as she began mixing pancake batter. "Kimmie is clumsy in the kitchen, I think you know that, but her and making pancakes don't mix."

Shego chuckled. "She's getting better at cooking, I think. She made chicken pot pies one night when she got off work early."

"Oh? That's a big step from crying while cutting up onions..." Anne began pouring the batter onto the griddle as Shego stirred the eggs. "So how's everything going?"

Shego knew, in the back of her mind, that Anne was asking about the relationship, so she decided to be frank but subtle with the older Possible. "Everything's been going well, as long as Kim's happy, I'm happy."

Anne nodded as she dumped a stack of pancakes on a plate. "Happiness is like a warm blanket, it makes you feel good inside... I'm glad you both feel that way."

Shego chuckled. "Anne, did you just quote Peanuts?"

Anne smiled at Shego as more pancakes were flipped. "Yes, yes, I did."

"Schulz was profound in many ways. I particularly liked how he portrayed Charlie Brown's insecurities and self-doubts..."

"You know, Shego, James and I are beginning to think you would've been successful at any field you studied. You just seem so knowledgeable about, well, everything," chuckled Anne. "Kimmie's got quite the catch."

Shego blushed. "I just really liked reading as a child... I've probably read through all the books in my father's study twice or thrice. And I indulged in comic strips every now and then... Particularly the slice-of-life ones. There's a certain grain of truth in the ridiculousness in some of the situations the characters are in... Like Charlie Brown constantly failing. It just makes me feel like I can always be a better person, if I tried."

"Don't try to change yourself just because you feel like we, or other people, won't accept you, Shego," commented Anne as she now started making the pancake syrup. "I honestly think you're a great person, despite the fact that this is our second meeting. Charlie Brown's constant failures are just for comic relief purposes, regardless of how Schulz claimed that the character is a self-portrait of himself."

She rummaged through a cabinet and found the vanilla extract. "We all have had our failures, whether they are academic, work-related, or romantic in nature, Shego. We just have to learn to live with them and just move on. It doesn't mean you have to change as a whole. Just be yourself. Don't turn into someone you're not just because you don't fit into someone else's ideals."

Shego turned off the stove since she was done with the eggs. Noticing that Anne had laid out bread on plates, she began to put them into the toaster. "Heh, I wish my brother understood that." Noticing the confusion on Anne's face, she added, "My oldest brother, Horace, doesn't approve of my lifestyle and, uh, sexual preferences. I'm just hoping he won't cause a scene because Kim will be there."

The toaster dinged and Shego put in the next batch. "At first, his reaction was funny, but it's now just a nuisance."

"He must really not approve of your lifestyle."

"It's none of his business, really, but he makes it his business."

"Perhaps you should look at it in a different light, Shego," said Anne as she stirred the syrup. "He's probably just looking out for you...?" The grim look on Shego's face told her otherwise.

"No, he grew up in a world of black and white, that's all. Horace is one of a kind," chuckled Shego. "Sadly, I have to bear the brunt of his remarks every time I visit Go City." Shego laughed bitterly. "My parents have tried to stop him, but he has no filter. I just don't want him giving Kim a hard time."

The toaster dinged again and Shego put in the last batch of bread.

"Kim's handled much worse, so she should be able to handle your brother..." remarked Anne as she took a spoonful of syrup and offered it to Shego. "Taste test."

Shego nodded. "This is great. Hana also made something similar but yours has an extra kick to it... It can't be the vanilla...?"

Anne winked. "Possible family secret. Though, I'll send you the recipe in an email later."

"Sure, that'll be great."


"Hana." Kim gently tapped the sleeping teen on the shoulder. She had knocked before entering. Not hearing a response, she open the door and sat on the edge of the bed. It had been maybe half a year since she had been inside Hana's room in the house. She looked around and smiled.

The teen had posters of her favourite rock bands, chefs, and television shows plastered on the wall. On her bedside table were two photographs: a Stoppable family portrait and a picture of her, Ron, Rufus, and Kim. The picture of the four was taken some time after Hana's parents died. Kim picked up the photograph and ran her fingers over Ron's smiling face.

They had just began working at the Middleton Daily and Hana just started high school. The picture was taken after an impromptu trip to the Stoppable cottage, where happy memories were made in Hana's youth. They had gone back there again to hold a vigil and to take Hana away from all the negativity in the Stoppable house. Everything there remained Hana of how she was helpless to do anything about the car accident. The cottage, on the other hand, reminded both Stoppable children of their most cherished childhood summer memories: fishing at the lake, camping outside and drinking their mother's homemade hot chocolate. Ron had asked Kim to come along on the trip, knowing that the redhead had a closer relationship to his sister and did a much better job at comforting the teen.

I've been there from the start to now, Kim thought. How much more pain does Hana have to go through before she's at peace?

She ran a hand through Hana's hair as the teen slept. She continued looking at the Stoppable family portrait as more memories flooded her thoughts.

Kim remembered that day when Ron wouldn't stop complaining about how his parents forced him into a rental tux for the photo. Hana had worn an elegant red dress for the photo, but her hair was much longer than it was at present. She had cut it shortly after going to France, so when she came back for a visit, the Possibles couldn't recognise her at the airport.

Kim studied Hana's features as she gave her sister more time for shut-eye. Life worked out in strange ways, she knew, but she truly wished nothing else would happen to the teen. Despite her carefree demeanour, Hana was very fragile. While the redhead did not know what Hana's life was in Paris, she honestly hoped she was happier there since there was no constant reminder of her family's passing.

The Possible house was decorated with photos from both families, but Kim knew that it didn't make it easy for Hana to move on. She knew her parents had the best intentions to keep the Stoppables alive in memory, but it just made things difficult. Even for her, her own apartment was not adorned with photos of the past. There was maybe a handful photos of her childhood and teenage years that the redhead kept lying around: everything else was packed in a box in her closet. Shego had asked her about it once and all the redhead could do was just shrug and tell her girlfriend not to dwell on the past.


"I hardly think it's dwelling if you keep more photos around," Shego said.

"You don't think it would be?"

"You'll just be reminded of good times, but you won't be fixated on changing history... Would you?"

"Sometimes I do, even without the pictures," murmured Kim.

Shego rolled on her side and placed a hand on Kim's shoulder. "Sorry, it was out of my place to make a comment about it... I understand how it would make you feel. Sorry."

Kim snuggled closer to Shego on the bed. "It's fine. I'm more worried about Hana staying at my parents' house. It's decorated with photos."

"It's not always a bad thing to remember them. But if Hana's really troubled about them, she should tell your parents... I'm sure they'd understand."

Kim shook her head. "She's only really back in Middleton for Christmas and summer break... But most of the time, she'll just end up staying with me."

"I guess you can just stick with whatever photos you have then..."

"What about you, Shego? I've only really seen photos of the Wegos... Not your other brothers and parents."

Shego let out a chuckle. "You're very observant."

"I studied journalism and wanted to do some reporting work..."

"Sharp eye... Well, you know how much I dislike Hego. If I had pictures of Mego, he'd just go on and on about how I should have more of him whenever he visits - which is maybe once a year. I'd rather not give him the pleasure of letting him talk about himself more."

"And your parents?"

"They actually haven't visited me since I moved to Middleton... It's not that they don't want to, they're pretty busy and they know I just wanted some space away from Go City when I moved." Shego sighed, "Away from them too. Just temporarily. I visit for their birthdays and other family gatherings though."

"Ah, I see..."

"Not having pictures of my parents in the apartment doesn't make me a bad person, right?" asked the older woman.

"No, it doesn't. It just surprised me a little since you seem to be on good terms with both of them - you said that they were supportive and everything..."

"I don't know how to describe it... I mean, I have pictures of me as a kid with them in my room-"

"-You do?"

"Er, in my desk drawer. I'll show you next time. But, it's just that when I came out here, I wanted a life of my own. I didn't need reminders of what life in Go City was like back then... Besides, the pictures of me with the twins were taken at your house at Thanksgiving."

"That's true... I didn't realise that."

"Kim, whatever happens with Hana, just know I'm here to help you too."

"I know."


Kim was pulled out of her thoughts when Hana yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Kim?"

"Hey, just stopped by your room to wake you up. It's time for breakfast."

"Ok..." The teen noticed that Kim was gazing at the Stoppable family photograph. "I had a dream about them... They told me not to worry... And that I shouldn't be so sad."

"Oh, Hana," murmured Kim before enveloping the teen in a hug. "I'm sure that's what they want you to be: happier." She felt Hana nod, so she patted the teen's back. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and we'll have breakfast and then open presents, ok?"

"Ok."


"Oh. My. God."

"Hana's in shock," laughed Jim.

"Just look at her face," chuckled Tim.

Anne and James merely laughed as the teen made indiscernible sounds after she had unwrapped her Christmas present from Shego and Kim.

"Ah... uh... THANK YOU SO MUCH!" shouted the teen when she recovered from the shock. The couple had managed to get Hana a Chef Morimoto cooking set and Chef Hanson set of cutting knives. The Morimoto set was a collection of high-end pots, pans, and other utensils used by celebrity chefs around the world. The knives were famous for their versatility and light weight: perfect for any chef in any kind of kitchen. The total value of both sets was a considerable sum of money, something a working student could not afford, so Hana was just in awe.

Shego ruffled the teen's hair. "I'd better expect a feast from you when you come back in the summer."

Hana startled the older woman by giving her a bear hug as Kim watched on affectionately.

"Thank you, thank you!" mumbled Hana after she let go of Shego.

"Don't thank me, it was all Kim's idea," laughed Shego.

The teen then proceeded to bear hug her sister, who merely laughed. "It was all Shego... She managed to get all of the sets even when the store said they were out of them."

Shego shrugged. "I just know people."

Hana smiled. "I'll make sure to put them in good use when I'm back in Paris."

More presents were unwrapped: Tim and Jim got limited editions of Feynman lectures, Anne got a Wonders of Neuroscience anthology, and James nearly squealed out in delight when he unwrapped a pristine copy of Kepler's Somnium. From the twins, Kim got a handmade snow globe that featured the Daily Middleton in the background and the colours and precipitation type changed according to miniscule changes in room temperature. Shego had received a handmade miniature replica of a cyclotron particle accelerator, complete with buckyball magnets that mimicked the movement of charged particles in the accelerator. Hana had gotten a Jim and Tim Possible (copyright and patent pending) portable convection oven, and the Doctors Possible had received matching scrubs and lab coats that changed colours according to the atmospheric pressure and humidity levels in their workplaces.

From the Doctors Possibles, the twins were given a set of keys: the parents had paid the down payment for an apartment closer to campus. They now had a place for themselves, instead of renting rooms in the graduate house, that was big enough for them to build gadgets and other contraptions without overtaking their peers' lab spaces at the university. For Hana, they had given her another Morimoto product: an ice cream maker. For Kim, the doctors gave her a Cooking 101 guidebook, complete with instructional videos and the Possible family's "secret" recipes. When Hana saw the present, she merely chuckled and patted Kim on the arm. For Shego, the doctors had thought about it long and hard and had decided to give her tickets to a prestigious design and art show in Upperton.

"Why does it seem like I got the shorter end of the stick?" groaned Kim as she flipped through her present.

"It's now or never, Kimmie-cub," laughed James. "I'm sure Shego can help you out with learning how to cook... Otherwise, we could still send you off to France to learn."

Shego smiled warmly at James' remark. She had decided to stick with her original plan. She cleared her throat and handed Kim an envelope.

"What's this? Shego, you didn't have to..."

The older woman shrugged as she watched Kim open the envelope carefully.

Kim blinked, stared at the contents of the envelope and then stared at Shego. "You can't be serious."

"What is it?" asked the twins.

Kim handed the present to the twins who took one look and said, "Whoa! Isn't he-"

"My favourite chef in the world, yes." Kim stared wide-eyed at her girlfriend. "How did you-"

Shego shrugged. "I know people."

The twins handed the envelope to the doctors who smiled. "Private couple cooking lessons with Chef Abe Morimoto... That is several steps above our gift," laughed Anne.

"I didn't mean to- I mean, it was just a coincidence that I, uh, got these..." stuttered Shego. She did not have any intention to make the doctors look bad in front of their daughter.

"Don't worry about it, Shego," laughed Anne. "If anything, she can train herself and practice before meeting Chef Morimoto."

Tim snickered. "Pressure's-"

"-on!" completed Jim.

"Maybe we should have also gotten her a pressure cooker," mused Hana.

Kim shook her head. "I'm going to need maybe a lot of time to practice... This is insane! How did you manage to get these?"

"My parents are friends with the mayor of Go City, who is a friend of Chef Morimoto," replied Shego.

"So you've met him before?"

"Uh, maybe once or twice back in college..."

"That's so cool! Aw... My present isn't as great as yours," said the redhead as she handed Shego a small package.

Unwrapping the gift slowly, Shego noticed that Kim was actually nervous. When the wrapping paper was put to the side, Shego took a good look: there was a catalogue of some sort and a green beret. Shego carefully flipped through the catalogue and commented, "This is... a travel brochure for Paris?"

Kim nodded. "Check the back."

Shego flipped to the back and two plane tickets fell out. "Departing on January 5th and returning on January 20th... Wait, don't we have work?"

Kim shook her head. "I finally took my vacation days." Before Shego could get a word in, Kim also added, "And I spoke to Betty about giving you a break too."

"Wow, this is actually the best gift I've ever gotten. Not having to deal with Betty about holidays and I get to spend time with you... In France, of all places!" laughed Shego. She gave Kim a hug and peck on the cheek. "So Bonnie's running the show until you get back?"

"Yup, and Betty said she'd figure out things."

"Speaking of whom, these are from her..." Shego pulled two presents that were hidden under a pile of crumpled wrapping paper. She handed Kim one and slowly began to open hers.

"Wow, this is a very nice pashmina scarf," said Kim as she pulled out an emerald scarf that matched her eyes.

Shego nodded as she took out a similar scarf in maroon. "Hey, there's a card. 'Shego, have fun during your time off - paint the town red!'" She chuckled. "Betty is so witty..."

Kim laughed and rummaged through her package. "Oh, hey, there's a travel guide in mine... Oh, she even wrote a note inside. 'Kim, take care of Shego - make sure she comes back well-educated about art and cultured. Bon voyage!'"

"Psh, well-educated, my a-" Shego bit her tongue after realising the doctors Possible were in the room. She laughed sheepishly before clearing her throat. "I'm cultured..."

"Time to be even more cultured," laughed Kim.

Hana suddenly realised something. "Hey! What flight number is your ticket? We're leaving the same day!"

"I booked it so we'd be on the same row.. So yes, Hana, we're on the same flight."

"Sweet!" Hana fist-pumped. "I'll show you guys around! It's going to be awesome!"

Shego ruffled the teen's hair. "It will be... I hope."


Author's Notes: A plane ride with Hana might be very annoying. We'll see. Shego has to survive the holidays with her family before that happens.

I'm drawing this story out over so many chapters that I'm beginning to think it might never end. =_=

Chapter title is from "Christmastime Is Here" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. Yes, more Peanuts references.