City Escape Part 2
Shego could hear the sound of heels on the pavement as she leaned against the building, the hover car hidden perfectly as they waited. The streets were alive with multilingual conversations, passersby barely noticing her with all the other commotion. She jumped as an arm slipped through hers, nearly plasma blasting a tispy Adrena in doing so.
"Wow! Sheegs, it's just me," giggled Adrena. Shego narrowed her eyes.
"Yeah...that...no," she shook her head and pulled her arm from the woman. "Where are the other three?"
"Camille's pouting because Bonnie tried to eject her from the jet," shrugged Adrena. Shego snorted at the thought. "I don't see why they can't just...share Junior."
"Not everyone is as...unique as you," Shego rolled her eyes at Adrena. "Well Camille's the one giving us the location—"
"It's not funny!" Shego heard Camille's voice hiss from the shadows, the snickering of Bonnie and stifled laugh of Junior following her.
"Your eyes practically popped out of your face," came Bonnie. "Hey, if you can't take the heat—"
"Stay out of the vegetarian wok," finished Junior proudly. Shego rolled her eyes.
"I have never heard it put that way," blinked Bonnie. She grinned. "That is so cute!"
Camille rolled her eyes and walked past Shego.
"Heard you almost caught some fresh air," smirked Shego. Camille crossed her arms and frowned.
"Be careful... Your doctor is still in prison and I don't think those lines fix themselves," grinned Bonnie. Shego heard Adrena snort.
"Uhg, that was lame," Camille scoffed. Shego saw the flush to her face tell a different story. "Can we just get this done so we can actually have fun tonight?"
"Personally, I'm enjoying this," smiled Shego. Camille raised a brow at her before rolling her eyes. "Where's the target?"
"The Gera Wave and Anthony LeKing fashion show storage for next week is being held over in that building," Camille whispered and pointed to a dingy looking stone building. "Classic designer... Hide their treasure in trash. Brilliant."
"And you know this...how?" asked Bonnie. Junior gasped.
"Bonnie, my love, one never questions Camille's knowledge of fashion locations. She is close friends with the Fashionistas...and their word is of law in the design world," Junior preached. "They once saved me from making a paisley travesty."
"Oh no," gasped Bonnie. Junior nodded slowly.
"I was having a hard time—"
"Okay! Let's go before I scrap this whole weekend," Shego said, shaking her head with an exasperated sigh.
She continued along the busy street, mentally questioning her motives of socializing ever again with the company with her. She looked at them only to realize they were still talking across the way. Minus Adrena. Adrena was chatting with a woman in an evening gown who was clearly walking the opposite direction to some festival downtown. Shego wondered if walking back to the hover car and returning home was a better option. These thoughts were interrupted as the others soon joined her, Bonnie grabbing Adrena on the way.
"You didn't say we were going," said Junior. "I was finishing my story."
"Can we just...just do this?" grumbled Shego, muttering under her breath. "It's like working with my brothers and Drakken all in one, I swear."
"You have brothers?" gasped Adrena. "Are any of them single?"
"All their lives," muttered Shego. "The answer is no...you are never going to meet them."
"They were the ones in suits at the UN," said Camille. "The purple one is very rude."
Shego snickered as she used her plasma to take out an alarm pad—the only new thing on the broken-down building. Shego was relieved that the alarm didn't sound. Camille suddenly shifted her appearance to look like Bonnie. Shego shook her head and the Bonnie fake rolled her eyes and turned into a thin brunette with a completely different face. She cautiously walked ahead of them and Junior hastily reached in his pocket.
"Wait. I remembered to grab this from the jet." He handed a slender looking gun to Camille.
"Ew. I don't do guns," she squealed, and dropped it. A laser shot off in the direction of the street.
"Well so much for being cautious." Shego shoved them all inside and closed the door before anyone could look where the light came from. "It was a laser for the camera— Guess I'll do it."
Shego used her plasma to shoot out the cameras she knew were always in the corners and was hopeful they remained the only ones as Adrena turned on the lights. She was about to snap at her when the sight of multiple racks of clothes in garment bags distracted her, all with labels on them with sizes and the names of the models to wear them. It was more than just two designers' worth of clothing, no doubt. Camille let out a girlish squeal.
"We hit the mother-lode! This is fashion week's storage! So steamy!" She practically darted to the first rack. "How long does it take for us to get to Greece from here? We can't just...try on one... We need to experience the fashion."
"I agree," gasped Bonnie as she darted to another rack. "Junior. This is your size!"
He followed his girlfriend hastily.
"It's as if it was designed just for me," he practically wept.
Shego watched as the others began rifling through racks. Her eyes fell back to the now-closed door and she surveyed for more cameras. Something felt off; not the environment, but she felt a sense of unease... As if something was about to jump out at her. She double checked the surroundings but there was nothing out of place. The tension was still there as she began looking for sizes close to hers. She noticed her hands shook from whatever unease she was having. She wasn't even paying attention to the dramatic fashion show that had begun to take place on the runway mock up.
"We need some music," laughed Junior as Camille struck a pose in a blue silken evening gown.
"It was the fashion world's loss," gasped Camille. "I'm a natural."
"You're not natural, anything," smirked Bonnie. Camille rolled her eyes but there was a hint of amusement in her expression. "Allow me to show you how it's done."
Bonnie did her own over the top runway walk in some sort of feathered gown. Shego smirked as Junior clapped excitedly. The adoring way he looked at Bonnie made Shego suddenly feel agitated. Her dramatically falling off the runway edge for him to catch her did little to soothe the feeling. It wasn't like Shego wanted that level of romance; it was young and childish, perfect for those two.
Be nice to be acknowledged...
She shook the thoughts from her head. She was supposed to be out and having fun, not thinking about whatever was or wasn't going on between she and Drakken. She pulled out a velvet blue dress and glared at its color, so close to Drakken's lab coat it nearly turned her off the whole dress 'shopping' they were doing. She felt Adrena next to her as laughing and praise came from the runway between the two lovebirds, Camille having returned blissfully to her own horde of outfits.
"You seem weirder than normal?" asked Adrena. "What's got you all wound up?"
Shego rolled her eyes for what felt like the hundredth time in the last hour. Adrena made a pouting face and leaned on the rack to look at her.
"You can tell me... I'm good with secrets... Well...kinda... I mean I try," shrugged Adrena. "Is it family?"
"No."
"New friends?" Adrena followed her from rack to rack.
"No."
"Drakken?" Adrena continued.
"...No," Shego hesitated. Adrena squinted her eyes and Shego hurriedly continued. "Since when do we talk about personal lives?"
Adrena seemed to think this over which gave Shego enough time to find a short green and black sweetheart dress that had multiple layers of black mesh to transition the color darker at the bottom. She slung it over her shoulder. Shego continued looking through the racks and Adrena had followed her yet again.
"Well...after the whole alien thing...I got to thinking," said Adrena. "Life's short."
"Mmhmm, even more in villainy." Shego noted the slight slur still in Adrena's voice.
"Uh huh. So we talk about villainy...because it's our personal and professional lives right?" asked Adrena. "But we go out...dance...have parties... So if talking about personal things isn't unusual... So why are you avoiding the question?"
Shego raised a brow at Adrena. The slight stumble she gave made it clear she had still had far too much, but the words were accurate. Whether she would remember them or not in the morning was highly debatable...but it wasn't new. Shego was just not used to it being...that personal. There was a very small part of her that wanted to talk about what was going on in her head, but the walls she'd been so comfortable with were well in place. She scoffed and tossed a random dress bag at Adrena.
"Just find a dress so we can kill the fashion show," she ordered.
"I think this is the one," said Camille. Shego looked to see her in a short pale gold fringed deep halter dress. "Yes. This is for sure steamy."
"I like it," said Bonnie. It was honest. "Don't forget to accessorize."
"Uhg. Of course," smirked Camille as she flitted off the stage.
"What do you think?" It was Junior's turn to show off.
Shego listened to Bonnie praise the outfit Junior wore. All black attire definitely worked for Junior. The button up shirt with the see through squares on the sleeve was a little off-putting in Shego's mind. But it clearly worked for Bonnie. It took Shego a moment to look at the dress Bonnie now wore. Layered bottom and fitted sequin top, the bottom a dark red and the top darker red with pale gold. It was far more mature than the dress she'd been wearing before. She watched the teen pick up a dress that fit into the just branching out of high school category the other one had.
"Bonnie...keep the one you have on. You're not in high school anymore," stated Shego as she walked by and grabbed the dress she'd been holding. "It's not a prom or pathetic party."
"Yeah!" came Adrena. "We're confident, sexy, villainesses... Gotta find your freaky bad girl side."
Adrena clearly had. The tailored sleeveless turtleneck dress she presently wore was adorned with zippers in random patterns along its black sheath. Shego raised a brow and Adrena shrugged as she moved past her towards Bonnie.
"Can we not corrupt my Bonnie... She is perfect the way she is," Junior chimed in and then hastily continued. "Unless she wishes to branch out which I would respect and admire equally."
"Uhg," groaned Camille. "Can you give mushy land a rest— What's that?"
There was a sound of footsteps in the distance. Shego listened and looked around them. She suddenly became aware of a swiveling white light blocked out by the actual lights. They'd tripped a silent alarm.
A wave of utter panic ran through Shego she couldn't place. Her eyes fell to an opposite door and she ran, not bothering to say a word but she could hear the others behind her as she shot a blast at its seal. The cool night air hit her in a very tiny alleyway that barely let the door open at all. She had to wait for the others to get out to even close the door so they could escape. She shot a haphazard blast near the door in hopes of jamming it as they hastily escaped. The sound of sirens roared closer as they reached the actual street, Junior barely fitting through the narrow space between the buildings.
"Come on," hissed Shego as she took the chance and sprinted through the busy streets. No one seemed fazed by the action as she did so.
Shego's heart had barely stopped pounding through the entire flight to Greece. She was glad she had her own ride just to be able to calm down...and change. She'd apparently taken the black and green dress in the escape. They'd arrived at the fancy club adorned in gold and pillars a short while later and rejoined their 'friends' from earlier.
Still. The unease as Shego danced hadn't faded. The music still made her nerves twist. She felt...off. It wasn't a foreign feeling but it wasn't common... Like she'd forgotten something or left something somewhere. She hadn't. Had she? The several drinks she'd consumed between dancing with Midas and Sal were not helpful. They had not calmed her nerves. It was near three in the morning when she decided that perhaps taking a break and sitting for a bit might calm her tension.
She focused on the smooth slow medley of the club. She leaned back against the plush bench seat near a window and watched as a few couples slow-danced. Junior and Bonnie were practically unmoving in their dance, rather just swaying in a tight embrace. She felt a smile flicker across her face. She was happy for her friends...she truly was. The drink she finished did little to dissipate the jealousy that bubbled right under the happy feeling. Her feet had started to ache from dancing but it wasn't what pained her. She closed her eyes as she leaned her head back.
In that moment as she settled down...it raced back to her. The blasting of the door...the sneaking into the building...the very dress she wore. The police sirens rang through her head and she finally realized what it was.
Guilt. Fear. Regret.
Drakken.
She could have cost him everything.
She opened her eyes and looked down at the dress. Imagining...again...if they'd been caught what would have happened. It wasn't like she wasn't known in some way now because of Drakken and the UN footage. While she knew Drakken had been joking about the bail money...if it had happened... Her caught stealing from a high level designer's private collection... Thousands of dollars or more... It wouldn't have been jail. And somehow the media would tie it to Drakken.
Could they revoke a pardon?
She didn't know and she didn't want to find out. They'd both been given a do-over and Drakken was making the most of it... And she...had been doing nothing. She'd been so caught up in the aftermath of everything that she was neglecting the fact...she could have whatever she wanted. No strings attached. She could lay in the sun and travel the world... She was no longer a wanted felon. She could relax in the comfort of her Grecian home...have spa days she'd always had to just squeeze in.
No.
Instead she'd gotten upset over something she could have easily voiced, and nearly tossed that all out the window. It wasn't even like they were heroes... Drakken didn't want to be a hero... He wanted to be 'neutral' as he called it...and just be able to create the things he'd always wanted. He'd even told her she could still be a villain if she wanted... Had chosen the lair...for her.
Her thoughts paused as she sat up and pulled out her phone to look at the text again. He hadn't called to tell her this...which he normally did. It was sent around the exact time she'd left even. Had he seen her leave...? She'd not gone down to say she was leaving...something she'd always done even if it had just been a wave.
Is he upset?
Her finger ghosted over the call button but she didn't push it. She recalled his slight expression of unease as she'd been telling him her plans to test the waters... The sudden appearance of her evening's dance partner slightly stumbling as he sat next to her stopped her from pushing the button. The smell of rum was overwhelming as he handed her another glass of something that probably cost more than her heels alone...and that was saying something. She put the glass down on the table and had no intention of consuming it. She was already unfocused and thinking too much; she didn't need more in her system to result in a very concerning intoxicated call to Drakken. She was just starting to feel the effects dwindle slightly and welcomed the faded buzz on its way. The arm around her shoulders aided in the buzz fading.
"Ohm, excuse me," scoffed Shego as she removed Sal's arm from her shoulder. "Yeah, that's not happening."
"Got it," Sal tipsily held his hands up in defense. "So... Shego... What are your plans the rest of the weekend?"
"Unscheduled," smirked Shego.
"Well then...how about I book an appointment?" he snickered. "Pencil me in. You know...we're headed to Morocco in the morning."
"Hmm, tempting," smirked Shego lazily. "I'll think about it."
"You know...I was thinking about this...all night," slurred Sal. "You're the same Shego...who was with the blue guy who saved us from...you know aliens... Plants right?"
Shego nodded and suddenly found her hair fascinating.
"You guys are...were villains...right?" he asked. "How much money did you make working with him...or do you make?"
Shego wasn't sure where the questioning was going but she narrowed her eyes.
"As his assistant...his side-kick...or his partner?" she asked. "Made most as side-kick. Not a dime as partner."
"How much would it cost for me to employ you?" Sal sat up a little straighter. Shego sat back a little from him and tried to read him clearer.
"I'm not in the market for a job, thanks," she said calmly.
"I can pay you more than he does," said Sal. "Did?"
"I seriously doubt that," snorted Shego. "I'm not—"
Shego's words were cut off as Sal's lips smacked into hers. Her eyes shot open and every inch of her skin crawled as she felt his tongue slide along her lips, the smell of rum nearly making her gag at such close range. She could have simply pushed him away but instead her hands flared and the shove was more of a slap. She was aware it was too much as Sal yelped and jumped away in fear. Some bystanders had glanced their way but seemed unfazed and continued dancing. The feeling of nausea in her stomach at the remaining tingle of lips on hers made her turn quickly. She didn't say anything and sped out through the giant doors to get air. The warm evening air hit her lungs and she was aware her heart was racing.
"Shego?" came Junior's voice at the sound of the heavy door opening. "Shego. Is everything all right?"
Shego looked to see he and Bonnie had been hot on her tail.
"Do you need to drop that guy into a river or something...or is it more a beat with a heel thing?" asked Bonnie quickly.
"Bonnie, my love... Such villainous behavior." Shego saw the smirk tug at the corner of Junior's lips.
"Junior. This isn't villainy, this is seriously just girl stuff," declared Bonnie. "I can go hit him right now and pretend it was Camille."
"That's villain talk," smirked Shego, her heart still pounding. "I'm fine... Needed some air... Too many drinks."
"Are you sure?" asked Bonnie. Shego could tell she really wanted to find a way to blame Camille for something. "I can do it."
"Do you want us to leave?" asked Junior. "We could go enjoy time at one of my father's and I's villas."
"The one in France?" asked Bonnie quickly. She grinned. "We should differently do that."
Shego crossed her arms and forced an amused expression on her face as the last of the unease left her. She debated on the villa, and the thought of shopping in Paris in the morning was extremely tempting... But the swirl in the pit of her stomach and the sound of the nearby waves catching her ears...settled her mind on something different.
"I'm calling it an early weekend," stated Shego. "I'm just not feeling it right now."
"I thought you said Drakken asked you to leave for the weekend?" asked Junior. Shego felt a pang at his reminder but she scoffed.
"Since when do I listen to Dr. D.?" she snorted. "I'll catch you guys later."
Shego departed and watched as Bonnie and Junior shrugged before heading back inside to finish enjoying their evening. The moment she was out of eyesight she let out a shudder of disgust and wiped her mouth, the emotions not fading from the short-lived kiss and instead replaced by anger.
"Who does that?" She shook her head as she got to the hover car.
It wasn't going to be a long flight back as the lair itself was just on the other side of the waters. A short ten minute flight at most... But twenty minutes later she was hovering slowly over the water. She was debating on going home and simply acting like she'd gotten bored and was uninterested...but she was worried Drakken would tease her... Which she normally would snap back at if he dared do it. Another part of her just wanted to get the taste of rum and stupidity off her lips and she was certain Drakken wouldn't question a return kiss.
That doesn't help anything...
She knew what she wanted was to know where he stood...and what his intentions were. Did he view her as just a partner he didn't want to leave, or a romantic partner he actually...wanted?
She let out a frustrated growl and slumped back in the hover car seat. She pulled out her phone again and looked at the text. She blinked. She'd missed another one at some point that evening. She clicked on it and smiled before shaking her head. 'Sunday? Dinner? Or Not?' She tossed the phone on the seat and sat up to put the hover car into gear. She began giving herself a speech internally the whole rest of the flight back. She needed to simply demand clarification... She could roll with whatever he said, but she needed to ask...even if it meant hearing something she didn't want to.
When she rounded the corner she could see that all the lights but those in the lab were off and even those were dimmed. The fragrant floral smell caught her nose before she could see the movement of the flowers in the moonlight. She silently landed the hover car and was instantly greeted by the vines swarming around. She paused for a moment as she watched them glide along the metal and a few reach for her.
"No," she said calmly, and smirked as they gave her space.
Shego had expected to have to head to the lab but was startled as Drakken opened the door to the deck, clearly in his pajamas, the dim light from inside showing he'd been watching a movie. She didn't register his words or the confused expression on his face as she stormed over to him. Mid-sentence, she pulled his collar to end his words with her lips against his. There was no shocked hesitation as his arms wrapped tightly around her and he deepened the kiss hastily. Shego almost forgot the speech she'd been practicing as her hand slid into his hair, content to just let the uncomfortable feeling of that drunken man's lips on hers...vanish.
But she regained her thoughts as she pulled away from him, the focused look on her face melting away the elation that had been on it from their kiss. For a brief moment she was about to ask about the project and avoid the topic, but she took a deep breath and took a step back. She watched the nerves flutter on his face in the moonlight. She spoke firmly.
"We need to talk."
