Heist Part 5
Drakken's eyes flitted to the ring on the finger of the hand placed in his. The song was far longer than he'd thought it should be, and while he knew he should be focusing on the now seemingly translucent stone set in a metallic silver band...he kept glancing over towards his table. Every so often he caught a glimpse of Shego looking in his direction. He knew he needed to concentrate on being charming and polite, as to remain under the radar in his attempt to find an opening for their heist. The air of familiarity was a curse and a blessing, but if played perfectly...it could be flawless... If not... Who knew what enemy could be gained?
"So...Protonia?" asked Drakken as he realized Shawna had stopped talking. "Interesting family connection."
"Family of brilliant intelligence. Her brother seemed less...deviant, when I married him. That's a long story," she spoke quickly. "But, such are failed relationships. Long stories. Can't ever be short, can they?"
"Kind of bold to be...using her name, isn't it?" asked Drakken. He saw a flicker of light in the ring but it faded quickly.
"She'll never know," shrugged Shawna. "She's a recluse. You should know that. Besides. I spent years being the cooped-up trophy wife. It's nice to get out and play pretend. Don't you think?"
Drakken's brows narrowed slightly as he looked at her. A part of him wondered if she was more informed than she let on. He smiled and nodded, suddenly feeling very calm and relaxed. He didn't have to look at the ring to know she'd pushed something when her hand moved against his palm as they continued dancing. It was a fleeting feeling, which meant another bug in the ring they had forgotten. A person should not be aware of its influence.
Effect wears off quickly. Easily fightable.
He made the mental notes for later as he focused. Shawna was staring at him waiting as the conversation had moved to him. He felt a wave of affection come across him and he looked at the ring again. Shawna's grip lessened in his hand. She knew what he was looking at.
Play dumb.
"Why does that ring keep glowing?" he asked innocently. "It's rather distracting."
He saw a fleeting look of worry fly across her face before she let out an airy chuckle.
"Truthfully... Hmm, well. You're a scientist... Tech I assume?" asked Shawna. Drakken nodded. "It's a glitchy gift from an ex. It's supposed to help with unstable emotions. Honestly, it felt like he was testing it on me... But all it does is take away anxiety for a few moments at best and then...gone. But it's a nice relief."
"That hardly seems safe," Drakken responded.
He looked at the ring and began wondering about what she was saying. It could be she truthfully didn't know the ring affected others, or she was playing innocent. The fact she was using another person's name seemed to fall into the playing innocent column. Though it would explain whomever the scientist she was engaged to's claimed lack of knowledge about her... And it was in the realm of possibilities that said scientist would test the item on someone without them knowing. Her response was raising more questions and concerns, and as he looked at the ring she pulled her hand away.
"So, if I fiddle with the buttons...see like yellow. Yellow is happy." She smiled as it flickered yellow. Drakken felt a hint of euphoria and smiled himself as they began to leave the dance floor. "It's like those old school mood-rings back when we were kids. You know, all the girls had those big gaudy things."
"Interesting... Perhaps you'd let me take a look at it?" Drakken fought the ingenious smirk. "Could be temperamental or dangerous if there's something crossed or loose."
Shawna raised a brow but there was no suspicion in her expression. Her eyes glanced at the ring.
"Maybe," she whispered. Drakken changed the conversation before it could turn suspicious.
"So what does the bracelet do?" he asked casually.
"This thing... Honestly, it's not even my style... But it's more of a...prize I guess you could say." She shrugged as she began walking back to her table.
"Uh, Shawna..." Drakken stopped her and looked towards his table where Shego sat.
He froze as he looked at the table and then to Shawna's jewelry. If he took her to the table and at any point Motor Ed and company returned...he would walk her right into the middle of their unwanted competition for the very items the woman wore. His eyes drifted to Shego, who was staring at the tablecloth with an expressionless face. If he could get Shego's attention, there was a chance they could slip away to Shawna's table and avoid that very problem.
Yes, because they know we are all looking for the same person and Shego and I being chummy with a random woman wouldn't cause them to drift our way at all.
Drakken rolled his eyes at his own thought.
If Shego stays there...
He fought the whine that wanted to escape his lips as he glanced at the ring again. He knew he couldn't do that, because Shego had already seemed to not get the pleasant attitude he was using with Shawna to instill false security to get the ring.
You called her your partner.
His thoughts fell back to her raised brows when he'd said it, and the way she'd stepped away from him. He'd thought she'd simply read the intent, but now he wasn't sure.
"Are you joining me?" asked Shawna as she gestured to her table. Her eyes looked towards Shego. "Did you want your lab partner to join us?"
Drakken felt a sour feeling swirl inside him at Shawna's words. He had to stop himself from correcting her assessment of he and Shego's partnership, but he didn't. A year ago, even a few months ago...the sour feeling would have been nothing more than annoyance and a swallow of personal emotions. Now... The feeling was because he wanted nothing more than to smugly and proudly boast that Shego and he were together.
It was a new feeling, and it suddenly dawned on him... He hadn't exactly told anyone. His mind began racing at how many ways he could let everyone he knew find out...without being overly smug to the point of being childish. Another thought came flopping over that one as he looked at Shego as she seemed to be searching the dance floor now. He watched as her hands tugged at the ends of her curled hair as she did so. Drakken had sudden regret over not simply letting the authorities get the ring for him, instead of...infringing on Shego's gift... Her expression told him that the idea of the heist was less appealing than it had been that morning.
"Actually," Drakken sighed, "would you care to join us? I did promise a few dances to Sheila."
"Oh, of course." It had been the right response because Shawna looked almost relieved. "Do you often go as each other's date to these things?"
"Actually, we rarely have time," Drakken said casually. "We're only here because I gave her the tickets as a gift."
Shawna's expression seemed to soften even more.
"Oh, how nice," Shawna smiled and then raised a brow. "Are you two close?"
Drakken fought the urge to blurt out that she was his significant other and they were on a date. He barely suppressed the grin spreading across his face at the idea of being able to tell people this. He reminded himself that he needed to focus on getting the ring and then he could boast all he wanted. He regretted not rubbing their new status in his cousin's face, but knowing they would all be at the same table...he was glad he'd missed the opportunity.
"Yes." He did his best to sound casual, but even he could hear the giddiness in his undertone. "I mean...we are best friends."
Drakken cringed internally at his words. Despite the truth of it, it only made him wish the night would end sooner so he could not only get out of the makeup, but begin working on his new project. And return to a place where he didn't have to go back to pretending that Shego was only a friend... The idea felt just like the poison taste of the crush that had started it all years prior.
The soft melody of the waltz made Shego's eyes grow heavy. The idea of taking the hover car and heading back to their lair had been playing through her mind. Though it would mean leaving Drakken dancing with a childhood crush... Her brows furrowed at this thought.
Did he like her then?
Drakken had never actually said he had... But Shego wasn't blind and neither was Drakken. The woman he was dancing with was more than just pretty. It was lucky for her and the patrons around that she was both neutral now...and feeling more sorry for herself than letting the jealousy bubble upwards. It was a very thin layer stopping it, but it was there. The second song starting and Drakken not returning to the table was pushing everyone's luck, and she could feel her hands tingle at the slow rage building.
She'd also toyed with the idea of burning the ring to smithereens just to end any and all distractions. Rational thoughts had actually prevailed over that thought, just barely. The idea of destroying it out of petty anger had been halted at the idea of deliberately causing Drakken stress over the small thing. It didn't mean she didn't let the thought dance around her mind... But it would not solve the emotions swirling around her head. She spun a leftover spoon on the table and smirked to herself.
"Well, there you go... Some personal growth." She snorted in contempt.
Drakken's voice cut her from further musings.
"Sheila..." She looked over her shoulder. "I've asked Shawna to join our table. You don't mind, do you?"
Shego looked over his shoulder at the woman's pleasant grin. Shego wanted to say some choice words but forced a smile onto her face instead.
"Why not?" she breathed as she looked at the table again, downing the last of her water glass. "Where's the waiter around here with the drinks?"
She felt Drakken's hand slide over hers beneath the table and she had to stop herself from yanking her hand away. She didn't return the squeeze he gave her as her mind focused on the familiar song she remembered from the last ball. Drakken's hand fell away as he went back to his conversation with Shawna. She shook off her emotions and focused on the dynamic Drakken had pushed them back into and smiled at Shawna while moving her chair slightly away from Drakken.
"So, Shawna... Is there a reason for living double lives...? Running from something, or just fun?" asked Shego.
Guess I have less control than I thought.
She glanced at Drakken, whom she expected a glare from, but instead she saw a faint smirking twitch to his mouth.
"A little of both really," chuckled Shawna. Shego felt more agitation at her casual demeanor. "As I told Drewie...had a messy divorce... And since my ex-sister-in-law is not using her name or notoriety...why not. Before you joined us, he was telling me you've been his lab partner for years?"
Shego inhaled deeply and nodded.
"Oh yes... Been picking up and cleaning up after him for four years," Shego replied. She saw Drakken raise his brow out of the corner of her eye.
"Cleaned?" he snorted. "I— Oh."
Shego looked to see that Motor Ed and Cleopatra had decided to return to the table. Shego glared at Drakken, who'd clearly overlooked leading the prey to the vultures. She glanced over to the table where Shawna had been sitting, devising that the best thing would have been for Drakken to stay over there and separate himself from her to swipe the ring from Shawna. Both of them around the same woman would clue in the others...
What was he thinking!
Shego looked at Shawna again.
Probably that I'd throw him from the hover car.
"Seriously Cuz, I have been—who's this?" asked Motor Ed as he grabbed his forgotten glass.
Shego watched his eyes dart to the bracelet just as Cleopatra appeared at his side, a smug smirk on her face at half their task being completed by someone else.
"Shawna, you remember Eddie," sighed Drakken.
The look of confusion that flew across Motor Ed and Cleopatra's face was almost amusing.
"Shawna? Who the—"
"Oh my gosh, Hot Wheels!" Shawna looked comically delighted. "Well this night keeps getting better. Both the Lipsky guys in the same place."
Motor Ed blinked before something like a look of childish delight took over.
"Oh, no way...whoa... Seriously... We get Sticky Steve back here and the whole gang is back," laughed Motor Ed as he hugged the woman. Shego noted the agitation flying across Cleopatra's features, which made her feel a little better.
Shego mouthed 'Sticky Steve' to Drakken, who shook his head in horror. Shego nodded and returned to the conversation.
"'Hot Wheels'?" asked Shego as she glanced around for a drink-delivering waiter.
"Yeah, seriously. Because even as a kid, I always had the sweetest rides," smirked Motor Ed confidently.
"Hah, okay," snorted Shawna as she found her seat now in between Motor Ed and Drakken. "He had training wheels till he was almost ten."
Shego snorted at the look of annoyance on Motor Ed's face and the soft nod Drakken gave.
"Oh, I want more of those stories," smirked Shego. She elbowed Drakken. "How come I don't get those stories from you, huh? You know I love fuel like that."
"That's because Drew knows I know some seriously embarrassing tales about him," Motor Ed said, narrowing his eyes at Drakken. Drakken leaned over to Shego.
"Eddie once laughed so hard he got sick all over the girl he was crushing on while at the movies," he said stone-faced as he pulled away from Shego and grinning at Motor Ed.
"Aww, my poor darling," said Cleopatra as she patted Motor Ed's shoulder.
"It wasn't darling running to the bathroom with it in your lap," grimaced Shawna. Shego watched as Cleopatra's eyes narrowed and then looked at Shego.
The exchanged look was one of solidarity which lasted through the next several stories and a small argument among the three reunited individuals. Shego began musing over the odds of the evening as a whole... The fact they would run into an old friend of the two, the strange coincidence of Maisy being there...the table. She felt an air of unease at this; too many coincidences at once. She knew stranger things had happened without a doubt, and perhaps she was just being paranoid—she looked to see Shawna's hand on Drakken's shoulder—and clearly hostilely jealous.
"Shego." It was a whisper in her ear that nearly made her hit Drakken with her head she turned so fast.
She knew he was trying to convey something by his look, but she wasn't picking up on it. His eyes darted to Shawna and then back towards the door. She wondered if he was suggesting that she lure the woman and jump her in the hall. She knew it was wrong, but she really hoped it was what he was saying. His hand found hers again and this time she did pull her hand away as she was far more focused on the signal he was trying to give. She saw Drakken's eyes flare for a second before a furrowed expression ghosted over his face and he stood up.
"Excuse me for a moment," said Drakken. Before anyone could say anything, he'd already maneuvered through tables and was out the hallway door.
Shego looked from the crowd back to the table. Shego told herself to play nice, which meant not saying anything in Drakken's absence. If she was lucky, she could pawn off the woman's interest on Motor Ed... Shego looked at Cleopatra, whose face held a forced calm expression. Shego scoffed slightly under her breath at the internal concerns over a stranger being entombed. She pursed her lips, slightly agitated how much the being neutral thing was affecting her conscience.
She did steal— Oh worse.
Shego physically shook the thought from her head. The thought of trying to justify a punishment for actions she herself would have done less than a few months ago was hitting dangerously close to Team Go logic. Instead she focused on the ring and bracelet flashing on the animatedly gesturing hand of Shawna. She was telling a story or reminiscing. She didn't care. She was back to wondering about the ramifications of just yanking the ring off the woman and booking it. Drakken seemed to have gone towards the bathroom; an easy detour route.
Shego saw a waiter go by with drinks and chanced a quick exit to grab one. It was a bold move, considering the other members of the table were being left alone with the target... But since Motor Ed seemed to be getting his ego stroked about a tale of him climbing a tree for something...she felt she was safe. No sooner had her hand touched the drink than another drink was taken next to hers, bracelet and ring in sight.
"You know, you'd think they'd bring these to the table," came Shawna's voice right next to her.
"Preventing over-indulgence," shrugged Shego. "I could have brought you one—"
"I prefer to get my own," Shawna cut in. There was something in her tone that Shego couldn't place. "But thank you.
It was a sweet smile, and something about the demeanor change put Shego on edge. Something about it was causing Shego's flags to raise. Whether it was from simply a misunderstanding, her own agitation at Drakken's attention to the woman, or something else...Shego wasn't sure.
"Smart," Shego simply stated, hoping the woman would move away from her.
"You know, something I find very interesting..." said Shawna as she sipped her wine, making no movement to return to the table watching them.
"Do tell," Shego downed her glass quickly.
"More a question for you," Shawna sighed and took another sip of her glass.
"Ask away," Shego shrugged.
She mentally prepared herself for the woman to ask questions about Drakken that Shego frankly would probably exaggerate in a negative fashion...if only for her own sanity.
"Can you tell me why someone who simply works with a tech scientist...was sprinting after a hit-woman in the middle of a ball?" Shawna's expression was unreadable
Shego nearly choked on her drink but regained her composure.
Her mind spun swiftly to a conclusion. Shawna had obviously seen Shego sprint after Maisy... And seeing as the woman looked very much alive, she'd not drank her wine glass from the table. Shego crossed her arms and smirked.
"Why's a divorced housewife have a hit-woman after her?" Shego raised her own brow.
"Never been in a messy divorce?" asked Shawna. Shego snorted.
"Pfft, no and never going to," snickered Shego. "If I got married...I'd take 'till death do us part'...very seriously. More of a sworn agreement than a vow."
"Then you should understand," stated Shawna. Shego raised a brow.
"I was catching up with an old friend," Shego stated casually. "Clearly, you're not buying I'm Drew's lab partner, are you?"
"Well, obviously," snorted Shawna. Shego opened her mouth to inquire, when Shawna continued. "You're his bodyguard, obviously. I assume you recognized the woman from prior incidents?"
Shego closed her mouth and smiled.
"Sure," Shego nodded. "Small world... Or cheap enemies."
"Cheap enemies sounds right," sighed Shawna. "I'm slightly relieved. You two kept exchanging looks like you were planning something... Now I know you were trying to tell him about a previous issue."
"Yes, that's what was being conveyed." Shego raised a brow at the woman. She seemed to genuinely believe what she was saying, or she was a good actress. "Genius scientists and their rivals, you know."
"Makes so much sense." Shawna looked worried. "Oh, Drewie asked about my ring being broken... He might have just been being nice when he offered to take a look at it... Be honest, would it infringe on him to take a look at it?"
Shego had to bite her lips from laughing at the woman's apparent beliefs and swallowed the mirth back before shaking her head.
"Not at all. He loves tinkering with things," smirked Shego. "If you want, I could take it now so he doesn't forget."
"Oh no." Shego took a step back as Shawna clutched her hand. "Remind me before the evening ends... I need it at the moment."
Shego raised a brow but nodded.
"Okay." She looked to see Drakken heading back to the table. "We should get back to the table."
"Yes...just," Shawna grabbed another glass from a nearby tray, "can't trust them sitting around now can I."
"I wouldn't," stated Shego. "Oh and...I wouldn't let anyone else at the table know about you letting Drew take that ring."
"Please don't tell me, Eddie is still that way with anything Drewie gets?" asked Shawna in horror.
"Sure," Shego responded. "Oh and...he actually prefers...Drewbie... Not Drewie."
"Really? He hated when his mother used to call him that..." Shawna looked perplexed. "Oh... She hated me."
Shego perked up and felt a wave of delight take over her sour mood.
"Did she?" sighed Shego dramatically. "I would love to hear about those stories, and you know...compare them to mine."
"You've met her?" asked Shawna. "Yikes."
"Then its settled... You tell us all the horrible experiences...and then...I'll tell mine," Shego said with a mock-pout.
Shego didn't bother to fight the smug feeling that was forming inside her. She had a sudden inkling that the night was going to take a turn for the better...if only to revel in someone else's past misery.
Oh, who am I kidding. That's the best kind of reveling.
Oh dear...
