I don't own these characters; Disney does. I do own Trin, Shin (the non-cute one), and Tatsu. Shin (Kim and Shego's child) belongs to Blackbird. Ryuijin and Mirage are owned by YogurthFrost. This story is based on a concept and several pictures by YogurthFrost.

5.6: Revealing

"What makes you suddenly want to help us?" Wade asked Vivian, who was standing in his lab thanks to Kim bringing her by.

Kim had been going to get Shin from Jessie and Vivian had been walking along with her, but then Vivian expressed concern about helping Wade. Wade did not look happy about having the blond in his space. Kim ignored his frown, as did Vivian.

Vivian glanced at Kim. "There are any number of reasons, but one of the big ones is that my beloved is with you. The reason I hated Shego so much, enough to join Junior in the first place, was because I thought she killed Betty Director. I was wrong, very wrong. I have much to atone for, so I might as well start now."

"And Shego actually okayed this?" Wade asked incredulously, throwing his hands up. The question was rhetorical because he knew the answer to that.

"You were there," Kim replied, narrowing her gaze at him.

Wade frowned even deeper, obviously not moved by Vivian's sudden switch. Kim was not sure what to tell him to put him at ease. While Vivian's reasons made sense to her, they could not tell him that Jessie being her daughter was another factor in her change. He would work out that Jessie had been Junior's spy and then they would stop trusting Jessie, who was very much on their side.

So, instead of reasoning, Kim went with her old secret weapon. She threw the puppy-dog pout at Wade. He jumped back.

"No, no, no," the computer genius shook his head. "No!"

"Please, Wade," Kim implored him.

"That shouldn't still work," he huffed, making his hands into tight fists briefly.

"We need all of the help we can get and she has inside information. She also made the Bebes better, so she might be able to crack them. She's worked with Drakken before, so she might be able to work out how to stop his weapons. She's not going to go back to Junior or relay any of this information to him," Kim explained.

Vivian chimed in. "I'm done with Junior. I refuse to be a part of something that could ruin my family or cause me to lose people dear to me. I definitely can't be a part of something that might cause the death of my beloved."

"Betty really means that much to you?" Wade asked.

Vivian smiled softly, looking very much like the gentle woman that she once was, the woman that she would like to become once more. "She's the love of my life. She was my world before this began. Middleton was far from my family, who all thought I was crazy anyway to try to be a robotics engineer. She was the first person to take me seriously and she pushed me to follow my dream, even when Doctor Phen was taking credit for my work. She was my rock, my world as I said."

Wade sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Again his gaze went to Kim, who smiled at him and shrugged. He rolled his eyes and snorted.

"What do you want to work on?" Wade asked Vivian. There was the armor that they had taken from the clones and the information that he had on the Bebes as well as some parts to fallen Bebes.

"Let me look at the Bebes. Drakken hasn't worked on a robot in years, so I doubt he's gotten better," Vivian remarked. Wade chuckled a bit and Kim took that as her cue to leave.

-8-8-8-8-

"How the hell did you get Jack Hench to be your man on the inside?" Shego asked Doctor Director in disbelief. They were still sitting in the conference room.

"It was actually through my other man on the inside," Betty replied.

"And who is that? Although, I doubt you could shock me anymore than fucking Hench. I never would've thought that greedy bastard could be on the good side unless these was a profit in it."

"Well, there is something of a profit in it. Hench doesn't have the edge or prestige that he wants with Junior and he knows it'll only get worse if Junior wins. He doesn't get paid working for Junior and as the days past more and more of his people are becoming Junior's men. Once his teams are with Junior, Hench will be unnecessary and he will be lucky to come out of this a slave. His time is short and he knows it."

"What did he expect when he threw his hat in with a madman? So, who do you have that opened his eyes?"

"Will Du."

Shego's mouth dropped open. "Get out of town. Good to know he's still alive. What the hell is he doing with Hench?"

"You're not going to like it."

A frown conquered Shego's face. "He's a fucking member of one of Hench's team."

"Worse. He's Hyperion."

"What!" Shego jumped to her feet and put her fist through the table. "What the hell do you mean? How the hell did he become Hyperion and why the hell is he working for Hench?"

"As far as I know when the GJ agents took Will from you, they lost a lot of tech and equipment, so they took him to Hench to save his life. Hench had the best equipment to keep Will alive, but then something happened, probably an earthquake, and Will was about to die. They saved his life and used him as an experiment. For a while, he didn't know what was going on and basically did as ordered by the people that saved his life. His mind was in a fog, he said. He couldn't think or remember anything beyond flashes. We suspect that they were drugging him to keep him under control."

"How did he come out of his haze?"

"He ran into Jim and Tim of all people. He was about to kill them, but suddenly recognized them. He said it was like the fog had been lifted from his mind long enough for him to hold onto a memory and then he was able to form a thought. They probably didn't give him enough drugs that day. He talked to the twins to find out what was going on. They tried to turn him by showing him I was still alive and he was ready to join up with us right then and there, but I wanted him to stay with Hench and he's been sneaking us information and people to smuggle into your country."

Shego nodded. "I guess I understand that. How do you know he was being drugged?"

"Because they still try. He doesn't take them anymore. They told him it was to make sure his body was stable, but nothing has happened so far. We tried to hack his medical records to find out if that's true, but in the end, Hench was the only one that could access the files. Will made friends with Hench by being his personal bodyguard and here we are." Betty shrugged.

"Then, we need Hench to give us all his insider information and then Will has to get the hell out of there because we're taking Junior down. This ends now," the western ruler proclaimed.

"I suppose before I do that I should ask what are your plans once this is over. What happens when you're the most powerful person on Earth?" Betty inquired.

Shego scoffed. "Do you really think I want to rule the world? If I could take Shin and Kim and live in a cabin in the woods at this point, I would. I'm so tired, Bets. So tired."

"I know what you mean. With Vivian being alive and this kid that I need to know, I'm ready to just settle down with them and never get up. But, you have to give me something."

"I can't give you what I don't have. I don't know what the future holds. I don't know what I'm going to do. I just want this over, so I can enjoy my family. You should worry about the same. You've got a great daughter. She might be a little unconventional, but she's a good kid and she's actually a kid. She's a person, Bets. Accept her."

Betty sighed. "It's weird, so it takes time. Don't try to be my friend or therapist."

The pale woman snorted. "Fine, but I don't like seeing Jessie messed up. My kid really likes Jessie and I like Jessie too, but whatever. Contact Hench. Let's get this out of the way."

Betty did not say anything. She grabbed the nearby computer and hooked up a link from her wrist to the laptop. She worked on a small keypad on her wrist for a couple of minutes. An imaged obscured by static appeared or the computer screen.

"Now is not a good time," Hench growled, his voice quite clear despite the poor quality of the picture.

"It's never a good time. But, it's really not a bad time," Betty replied.

"Now's a time for you to get in with the winning team or you'll get bowled over just like your dickhead self-proclaimed emperor," Shego remarked.

"Shego?" Hench gasped.

"It ain't Wendell Willkie," Shego quipped. "We're in the last days, Hench. We're about to take Junior down. Are you helping us out or what?"

"Are you kidding me? I'll get killed just for talking with you," Hench hissed like a frightened little girl.

"You didn't tell me he was a pussy," Shego said to Betty.

"Oh, well, that's one of the reasons why he was easy to bring to our side. Huge pussy," Betty concurred. "Hench, how about you stop being a pussy and hear Shego out."

"Hench, this is it. We have the upper hand. You know we do. You've seen the shit we've done and we're going to do more. Even if we don't, are you going to keep hanging your hat with Junior knowing that at any moment he could snap and destroy you? Let's be serious. He's out of his fucking mind. We all know this. You probably know better because you're closer to him. How does this look to you?"

Hench was quiet briefly. "What do you want and what's in it for me?"

The quickness and ease with which he flipped almost scared Shego. She could only wonder what Hench had witnessed Junior do to barely fight giving her information. She put that out of her mind, though, and continued with what they needed.

"Everything you can get and I don't kill you once this all over. Better than you can get from Junior at this point. You know eventually he won't need you and he's going to kill you. That's a guarantee," Shego pointed out.

He was silent again. "What do you need immediately?"

"Layouts, defenses, codes, whatever you can get," Shego answered.

"That could be dangerous."

"Life is dangerous. These are dangerous times we live in. What are you going to do?" the western ruler inquired.

Hench sighed. "My time here is short. Most of my teams are loyal to the Emperor and he won't need to go through me to use them."

"And you without a talent in the world that doesn't involve money, which doesn't exist in New Rome anyway. You'll be useless. I get it. What the fuck can you do for us?" Shego demanded.

"I'll get you what I can, but I expect amnesty."

Shego snorted. "I can't make that promise. Contrary to popular belief, I rule by committee. I doubt they'll all just give you amnesty. After all, you have supplied Junior with the means to keep this war going. But, I can promise you won't be killed."

"Making it a better deal than you'll get with Junior," Betty chimed in.

No matter what Hench argued, there would always be the fact that Shego would not kill Hench. Junior was going to kill Hench once he was no use to the emperor. That was how Junior was, after all.

"Hench, you have to know this is serious. I'm sitting with Shego. A huge piece of Junior's war machine has been destroyed. Do you honestly believe Junior's going to make a comeback with Drakken's Bebes? With those clones?" Betty inquired.

"This is a hopeless situation," Hench sighed.

"It's been hopeless for a while. Hench, what're you going to do? We're coming. Simple as that. We have the power and we're coming," Shego informed him.

"I understand that. I'll see what I can get you and send it to Doctor Director," Hench decided.

"All right," both women agreed and the communication was cut.

"I'll contact Will and let him know it's time for him to come home," Betty said.

"How long have you had Hench in your pocket?" Shego asked.

"Not very long. Will was drugged up until a couple of years ago. So, where's our first attack going to be?"

Shego shook her head. "We have to see what everybody comes up with. But, I'm thinking we take out Hench's city first because that's Junior's brain trust now. If anything's going to save Junior, it'll be them. He'll have to stick with whatever weapons and tech he has."

"You don't want to rush Drakken for the clones?"

"As much as I would like to, I have to consider what's best for us. The clones aren't as much of a threat as all of those scientists and engineers working under Hench."

Betty nodded. "I guess you're not the self-righteous bitch I had you pegged as. What should we do now?"

"You go tell the Possible twins to help Wade if they're in this. Stopping those Bebes and getting past the clones' armor is important."

"You're right."

-8-8-8-8-

Kim finally found Jessie and Shin. They were in a park, which she expected. She was surprised to see that they were with her brothers, though. They seemed to be speaking amicably with Jessie and Shin. Kim was shocked that Jim was even around.

"Hey, what are you two doing here?" Kim asked curiously as she closed the distance.

Jim jumped and actually stepped away from Shin. The little girl's face lit up when she saw her mom and she charged over to Kim for a hug. Kim smiled, too, and embraced her child while keeping her eye on her brothers.

"We just happened by and I wanted to get to know Shin a bit. She's a smart kid and she loves talking about her moms," Tim reported with a smile.

"My moms are the best," Shin proclaimed.

Kim nodded and then turned to Jim. "And you? You just happened by or were you with Tim?"

Jim sniffed and looked off to the side. "I was talking with Tim and we happened by. I was being nice."

"Were you?" Kim pressed. She glared at him, daring him to be any less than cordial to her daughter.

Jim's eyes still did not meet the redhead's gaze. "Yes."

"He was," Tim assured their sister. He smiled, too, which comforted her. She suspected that something had finally broken within Jim and Tim was picking up the pieces with his twin.

"So, Shin, did you have fun with your uncles Tim and Jim?" Kim asked her child.

"Yes, ma'am. They told me about you when you were my age and they told me about them at my age," Shin reported with a grin.

Kim nodded. "Jessie, could you take Shin for a treat while I talk to my brothers?"

"Sure," Jessie chirped. "I could go for a milkshake."

"Oh! Milkshake." Shin rushed over to take Jessie's hand. "We'll be right back, but bye for now." Everyone laughed and Jessie led the little girl away.

"Okay, talk fast, Jim. Why the sudden change?" Kim demanded.

"Sudden?" Jim scoffed and shook his head. "It's far from sudden considering Tim abandoned me days ago and I was left alone to realize how I would be if I were truly alone. I took him for granted, I took you for granted, I took Trin and Joss for granted, and I don't want to be alone. We lost Mom and Dad. We lost Uncle Slim and everybody else in some horrible way. I'd die if I lost you guys, especially through my own stubbornness. I kept thinking about if something happened to us and I felt it like that, I'd feel worse than I do now. Being alone sucks."

Tim offered Kim a smirk as if he had set their brother up, but she supposed he did. Tim knew Jim better than anyone on Earth, so he more than likely knew exactly what to do to get to Jim. There was actually a look of fear in Jim's eyes, as if being alone was a fate worth than death.

"You're not alone," Kim said, patting her brother on the shoulder.

Jim's eyes watered. "I'm sorry for acting like that. We're all that's left and I was only making it worse and you were all going to leave me behind." He sniffled.

Kim locked Jim into an embrace and he wept, openly sobbed on his sister's shoulder. Tim joined in to let his twin know that he was not alone. They were still a family.

"I'm sure Mom and Dad are happy wherever they are," Kim whispered.

Tim nodded. "We're going to make it, Jim," he vowed.

Jim cried on and his siblings held him together. After almost a minute, Jim was able to get himself together. He stepped away to wipe his face. His siblings had the decency to look away. Once he cleared his throat, he turned back to them and smiled.

"I need some time, but I'm get better," Jim promised.

"Well, I need you to get better fast. Shin's my daughter with Shego. We're a family and Shego's my partner," Kim proclaimed.

"Partner?" Tim echoed.

"Partner, yes. Look, I have incredibly deep feelings for Shego. I want a life with her, a love life. We're a package," Kim informed her brothers.

The twins were quiet, considering that. And then they smiled at Kim, their blue eyes shining. They grabbed her into a hug.

"Sis, with you by her side, we doubt Shego could take over the world, even if she wanted to," Tim commented.

Kim chuckled. "Believe me, she doesn't want to. She just wants to help. Give her a chance and you'll see, especially once we defeat Junior. She wants to stop him, not take his place. You can hold me to that."

"I hope you're right," Jim sighed.

"Trust me. Shego does not want to rule the world, but people might ask her to do it once this over. People love her. She's not bad. But, let's not think about that. Let's think about taking Junior down," Kim declared.

"Do you really think we can do it?" Tim asked curiously.

"Come on, Tim. Anything's possible for a Possible. We've got Junior on the ropes. He doesn't have topnotch Bebes anymore. Shego and Doctor Director have some plans in the works. We can do this!" Kim grinned. She was almost giddy.

The twins grinned, too. Shortly after, Jessie returned with Shin. The child was eating cotton candy and smiling brightly. Jessie held two milkshakes. Shin ran over to her mother and hugged her around the waist. Kim automatically hugged back.

"Want some?" Shin offered everyone around her.

Everyone declined and Shin merrily ate her cotton candy and then took her milkshake from Jessie. Kim took charge of her daughter, so Jessie went off to meet with Ryujin while they had time to spend together. The twins left after being called by Doctor Director.

"So, what should we do before we go home?" Kim asked with a smile.

"I wanna see Momma. Let's just go home, please," Shin requested.

"Of course. We should spend some time as a family," Kim agreed. Who knows how much free time we'll have left to do this until we stop Junior. Taking Shin's hand, the pair walked off for home, hoping to find Shego there.

-8-8-8-8-

The Possible twins met up with Doctor Director back at the conference room where she was still sitting. They sat down across from her in the empty room.

"We're going to help Shego," Betty stated plainly.

"We figured that would be the case. Shego has something special going on here. Something that could put an end to Junior's reign of terror," Tim replied with a shrug.

Betty glanced at Jim. "Are you all right with this? No outburst?"

Jim sighed, shaking his head. "You're going to do it, no matter what I think. Besides, you're right. Shego has the means to defeat Junior. We have to help that effort or we can't even claim to want to help. Have you spoken to Shego about her plans for the world after the defeat of Junior?"

"She claims she doesn't know what she's going to do. I can't begin to guess," Betty admitted.

"Kim assures us that Shego doesn't want to rule the world, but even if we push for elections, the people will probably vote Shego in," Tim pointed out.

Betty nodded. "I know, but maybe the people will wake up if she acts out of line. And your sister is there to keep her in line." They nodded in agreement with that.

"What do you need us to do?" Tim asked.

"Everyone is working on weapons or training. You two can do the same. You used to work well with Wade, right? Go see if he'll accept your help again," Betty suggested. The twins nodded and Tim pulled out his communication device.

"Hey, Wade," Tim said. "Do you need any help with anything?"

"Tons of stuff! You want to help then get down to my lab," Wade ordered.

"You have to give us directions."

Wade gave them directions and they all left for the lab. Doctor Director just wanted to see what Wade was working on. She was surprised to find Vivian there.

"What are you doing here?" Betty asked her beloved.

"Trying to help Doctor Load come up with a way to stop the new Bebes. From the pieces that they picked up, I'm sure we'll be able to come up with something," Vivian answered.

"You're not working on your mech suits?" Tim asked with a chuckle, sort of teasing Wade.

"We'll get to it. I gave Tatsu first crack at the armor," Wade replied.

Tim's face twisted. "What armor? What are you talking about?"

"Last time we were able to upgrade the Paladins, it was through the armor we took off Shin. So, we're going to try that again," Wade explained.

"I could help with that," Vivian said and all eyes went to her. "I designed the Emperor's – Junior's – armor. He continues to use it to this day."

"What? Doctor Porter, that's really important. Can you upload the specs?" Wade requested, moving to point out a port for her to use.

"Yes, of course," Vivian replied.

Vivian's finger opened up, reminding everyone that she was more machine than human in body. She used her finger to download information into the computer. It took a few minutes.

"I've put the specs for his armor and basically any other projects that I've worked on for him. I might be able to hack Junior's computers," Vivian offered.

"No!" Betty spoke up. "That's too dangerous and you don't know what new defenses Junior might have put up since you've been gone. You don't have to prove yourself. You've done more than enough." She reached out for Vivian's arm, unsure if the scientist could feel it, but needing that connection.

Vivian shook her head. "I can never do enough. Jessie was right when she told me I was helping a man who was evil. I pretended I was justified because I lost you, but how many lovers did I help separate? How many families did I help destroy? Even the people here, standing before me …" She looked at Wade and the Possible twins. "Although it won't do any good, I'm so sorry for all the pain I've caused you. I can't make up for that, but I can help you stop this evil man."

Wade nodded. "None of us are angels, so I can't say I forgive you, but I can accept your help. We can bring Junior down with all of your inside information. Defeating Junior is the most important thing of this day and age."

The twins, not nearly as magnanimous, scowled at Vivian, but dared not say anything because Wade was right. Vivian gave their side a huge advantage over Junior. They bit the bullet and nodded their agreement with the chief engineer.

"Taking out Junior is the top priority," Tim managed to utter. He could not believe that such a true statement tasted so sour.

Vivian seemed to sense the reserve. "I'll do all that I can," she vowed. It was all she could do and they all knew that it would never be enough.

-8-8-8-8-

Nighttime fell and most of the Elect and their new allies were still hard at work. Usually, Shego would have been right in the thick of things, but there was a little one to make sure was bathed and ready for bed. There were stories to be read as said little one was tucked in and everyone understood that. In fact, some people took to reminding Shego that it was getting late and she should go home.

"Shadow Hand practically threw me out of the damned Dark Room," Shego told Kim as they settled on the sofa.

Kim laughed. "I'm glad Ron's making sure you spend time with Shin."

"It's not just Shin he told me to go home to," Shego admitted in a whisper. Emerald eyes glanced down at Kim's lips.

Kim smiled. "You can kiss me whenever you want, Shego."

The pale woman did not need to be told twice. She scooped Kim into her arms and let her lips move passionately against the redhead's mouth. Kim made sweet little noises that Shego just wanted to devour. She wanted to consume Kim as the hero had done to her. Pulling Kim closer, her hands frantically moved against the redhead until she pulled away. A whine escaped the western ruler.

"Shego, I'm not going anywhere, so calm down," Kim whispered. "I'm here forever. You can take your time. We can take our time."

"Intellectually, I know that, but you have to understand, Princess, you were just a dream to me for damn near twenty-five years. You were taken from me just as these emotions were starting to develop. On the inside, I'm boiling over because you're here now, with me. But, what if this is all a dream? What if I've hit my head, I'm lying on a battlefield, near death, and all of this is some dream to help me deal with that?" Shego asked and the haunted look in her eyes showed that she was serious.

Kim leaned in and gave Shego a peck on the lips. "I'm here, love, and I'm not going anywhere."

Shego's body relaxed and Kim gave her another soft kiss. Shego buried her face in Kim's neck and nuzzled her, softly crying. Kim cradled Shego's head to her.

"I'm sorry," Shego muttered and she did not bother to explain what the apology was for.

"Please, stop tormenting yourself," Kim said and she kissed the top of her lover's head. "Come, let's go to bed. You need rest."

Shego did not have it in her to argue. She did not seem to have anything left in her. Kim led her by the hand, like a child, to the redhead's bedroom. Shego was set to mount on last protest, but Kim silenced her with a kiss.

"Think of this as our bedroom now and a place for you to sleep. A sanctuary from all of the troubles the world throws your way. A shelter that lets you see that I'm not a dream and I want to be with you. This is an oasis in the desert of war, work, and death. Your troubles stay outside that door," Kim told Shego, who only nodded.

Shego allowed Kim to lay her down and put the blanket over her. Kim held Shego against her. The room was silent for a moment.

"I think I'm feeling anxious because this is really it. We're about to eat Junior alive and it'll be over. This has been my life and reality for twenty-five years. What will I do once this is over?"

"Live your life. Enjoy our daughter. Raise her with me. Love me and let me love you," Kim replied.

Shego smiled a bit. "I'd like that. We could have a little house. I'd like to stay in the city. I like being around people. Reminds me that the apocalypse failed. Shin could bring friends home and I could cook them dinner while you help with schoolwork …"

"Sounds wonderful, sweetheart," Kim said.

They both knew that was the real dream. Shego's work would never be done; Kim would end up the same way as that was just her nature. They would be needed when the world healed. But, it was nice to dream.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: choice moments before the soldiers going marching off.

Check out this cool picture by Philipster: (h t t p) : / / phlipster. deviantart. (com/) art/Era-of-the-Warring-States-329946616 (Take out the spaces or just use the link at the bottom of my profile.)