Conference of Concerns

Drakken looked at the list he'd made in mild smug glee. He'd been alternating between that and his speech cards for the last few days, making sure everything was ready and not a single one thing left unnoticed. His excitement over the Globally International Science and Technology, or GIST, Conference in Munich had taken over his entire focus. Not only was he an invited attendee, but he was also given three note speaker panels for his flower formula and some of the projects he'd been put in charge of.

"Only the brightest minds of this age are invited," Drakken spoke in delight.

"Well it would be weird if they were digging up old ones and propping them up," came Shego's reply from her chair.

Drakken looked up to see her staring at the same magazine she'd been holding for an hour.

"I had something designed for that once... wonder what happened to it?" Drakken rubbed his chin and saw Shego's hand casually glow as a reminder, "Ah yes... a blazing veto."

Shego's hand un-ignited and he rolled his eyes at her smug smirk as she finally flipped a page.

"I should go over my speech-"

"Uhg," cut him off as Shego put down the magazine, "You've already gone over it like three times today. It's fine!"

"Just fine?" Drakken cringed.

"Great, amazing," She waved her hands frantically as she got up, "Whatever stops the nineteenth encore."

"Hmm, perhaps I do need a break from it," Drakken smirked, "Don't want to loose that zip when I give it."

"Mhmm, yes, the zip," Shego sighed, "So, why don't we have the henchmen finish moving the stuff around you need to take that's on that list of yours... and you and I can have lunch before I have to leave."

"Is it that late already?" asked Drakken, looking up at the monitor, "Did you turn off the alarms?"

"I have one set to remind you tomorrow when you have to leave, don't worry," Shego had begun heading towards the stairs, "I can call and remind you if you really need it, but I think you can handle an alarm."

Drakken nodded as he followed after her, mentally going over his speech as he reached the stairs... when her words finally hit him.

"Call?" asked Drakken, "Really Shego, you can come down and tell me."

Shego stopped where she was in mid step and looked down at him with a confused expression, which he then returned.

"I'm not going to be here," she spoke as if this was prior knowledge, "I will be in Croatia on a mini vacation for Junior's birthday, remember- We're you not listening?"

"Yes, I remember," Drakken grumbled, "How long is it again?"

"All week... honestly its lucky Junior got talked out of a month," snickered Shego as she resumed walking and trailing off about the beaches and resort in the process.

Drakken stayed where he was and processed the conversation further. He felt a mingle of emotions rushing through him at the realization she was not attending at all. He swallowed them all down and shook it off, letting indifference smother the other emotions. His gloved nails scratching at the railing as he looked back over the small crates of his work and the paper where his notes and list sat.

"Drakken?" Shego's voice cut through his daze and he looked up at her, "How long am I holding the elevator for?"

Drakken furrowed his brows and took a half step before heading back towards his desk.

"I'll pass on lunch for now, I'm going to go over my speech again," he declared, "You go have lunch."

Drakken moved quicker than he even thought normal to his workplace, hastily grabbing the speech papers. He needed a fixation point and knew himself well enough that he needed to do that separately or the smothered emotions would win. He heard the elevator close and began reading over his speech and then partially his list and then back... he decided to re-write the list over with priority first rather then just a single layered list.

"Are you seriously not going to lunch with me?"

Drakken yelled and jumped as he looked up to see an annoyed Shego in front of him.

"Shego, I have a lot to get done-"

"Uhg, fine if your going to be a child about it, I can blow off Junior," groaned Shego, "Now lets go to lunch."

Drakken felt a sharp ache at her tone and expression.

"I am not being a child about anything," he snapped back, "Don't let me stop you from your beach trip fun with your friends."

"Really, because you sound moody to me?" Shego crossed her arms and he looked back at his list.

"I simply didn't realize it was all week you would be gone for my conference, so I have a lot of double checking to do... I'm fine, just... Just double checking," he cleared his throat, "I'm sure you have packing to do."

"I packed last night so we could have lunch before I left," she stated. Drakken didn't look up as he grabbed his pen.

"I already packed," Shego said firmly, "So we could have lunch before I go."

Drakken took a deep breath before forcing a calm smile on his face and looked up at her.

"I'll write my list and join you after," he stated.

Shego's eyes were darting through his, and he knew she was reading him before he looked back down at his list.

"I can come for a few days-" She began.

"No need," he cut her off, "You haven't been on an actual vacation in a while... Have fun. I will be fine without you there."

"Good to know," was a scoffed response before he heard her finally walk away.

Drakken waited for the elevator to close before letting out an agitated whine and grumbling under his breath. Selfishly wanting to tell her he'd expected her to come with him at his first major conference. He knew the topics would bore her, he even knew some of his speeches did that to her, something he had been noting to shorten to make more impactful... but he still felt she should go with him and not to Junior's birthday week.

I'm really starting to dislike that guy.

He would spend the next hour rewriting his list for no reason and contemplating asking Shego if she would come to a few days like she suggested. He would continue to contemplate and think those even after she'd left for the week, but he'd never actually say them. He did, however, regret not joining her for lunch.

Drakken rolled his eyes.

She didn't even seem that upset that I didn't. Figures.

The landing of the hovercar could have been smoother as she reached the resort, but Shego wasn't in the greatest of moods. She'd already had a morning laden with mild guilt about ditching Drakken for his conference, but then he'd not only ditched her for lunch but had dismissed her suggestion of joining him for a few days. She yanked her bags out of the hovercar that she had hastily packed after lunch.

You didn't have to come-

She shook the thoughts from her head as she slowed her speed to the entrance of the exquisite lodging Junior had secured.

She tried to shake off the annoyance at being ignored and dismissed the best she could as she reached the front desk and retrieved the key waiting for her, more aggresivly than warranted. Her bag thrown over her shoulder with barely enough prevision for the week. Her reflection in the many windows showed she wasn't doing a very good job of schooling her facial expressions.

I can't believe he said he didn't need me.

Her pace finally slowed to a mild walk as she thought about this. For two weeks she'd been back and forth about going to Junior's event over the conference, and on no less than six occasions she had fished for if Drakken even cared, and he'd just vaguely acknowledged it at all... and then ditched her as if he was suddenly upset by it... followed by dismissing her decree of going with him or even half the week.

You didn't exactly need the dramatics.

She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts.

He knows me well enough to read between the lines.

She nodded to herself and made it a few feet further before slowing her pace again.

Wait. What about reading between his lines?

Shego let out a groan and spun around to head back to the hovercar, muttering in annoyance under her breath as she did so. Formulating a plan of just waltzing back in right before he left and declaring that the week was canceled or postponed to even stating that she knew he was bluffing.

He's bluffing? What about you?

"These internal third person thoughts are really starting to get annoying," she grumbled as she rounded the corner near the exit.

She smashed right into Junior.

"Shego! My friend, you made it," beamed Junior, "I was worried you didn't get my text-"

"Actually, I have too-" She was cut off as Junior continued.

"I decided to forgo the big party save for the main event on Wednesday," Junior rambled, "So its just going to be the few of us this week. Very private and intimate."

"That's perfect," Shego patted his shoulder, "Drakken has this-

"Oh yes, don't worry. We all have our own rooms," he gave her a devious expression, "So you and Drakken can have all of the privacy."

Shego froze and looked at Junior in confusion.

"Meet you down on the beach for drinks," Junior declared and before Shego could stop him, he'd already vanished.

Shego stood in her spot for a second and processed Junior's words. Completely taken aback she hadn't even thought of inviting Drakken to join her this week. While he did have his conference, he only had to really be there for three days for his speech. She hadn't thought of it, yet Junior assumed she'd already invited Drakken... and what message had he been talking about. Shego looked down at her key and grumbled under her breath now that Junior had seen her she could at least stay for the day. Drakken wouldn't be at his conference yet and she could call him tonight and ask him about joining her.

Yeah, because that wont be awkward-

Her thoughts shifted quickly, suddenly glad she hadn't thought to invite him. The sudden memory of how she'd downplayed their relationship to the others came barreling back.

"Oh yeah, I have to fix that before he gets anywhere near them," Shego picked up pace as she headed to her room.

The sooner the better.

Drakken sat at the bar surrounded by elite scientists and inventors in glee. He'd longed to be invited to a place like this, to be part of a respected community. He was also glad that in his grumblings getting ready he'd found the paper suggesting to come early for the social. Which he'd jumped on, if only to stop his own internal frustrations at Shego not coming with him to something he deemed a monumental moment in his life. He scanned the room as he got his chocolate milk and wondered of the inventions, the great minds, the knowledge to be gained this week... to where DNAmy sat a few spots from him.

He blinked as he moved closer to see if it was actually her.

"Amy... what are you doing here?" asked Drakken in shock.

DNAmy put down her drink and grinned at him.

"Drakken! What a surprise to see you here," she giggled, "Oh I always come to these things. There always a hoot."

"You, get invited?" Drakken was shocked, last he knew she was still not very welcome in the community.

"No," she snorted, "But whose going to stop me... attending without an invite is just frowned upon... you're a scientist, you know how everyone likes to ramble on about projects... I'm just one more ear."

Drakken blinked and fought off the existential crisis he was having about the fact he could have just shown up here, villain or not... and no one would have stopped him. He wanted to voice just that and made several nonverbal attempts to bring up his annoyance at this fact, but instead sat down next to her and tolled his eyes at this fact.

Figures.

"So where's Shego?" asked DNAmy as she leaned on her hands.

"She's at Junior's birthday extravaganza," Drakken grumbled, "Apparently its a far bigger deal than some trifle laden speeches."

He knew he sounded bitter than he'd meant it too, but he made no effort to retract or correct it.

"Oh yeah, I'm going to that on Wednesday," she shrugged, "That's the main 'event' as I was told."

Drakken raised a brow at her as she shook her head in clear thought of the statue currently in Duff's possession. An event that DNAmy had no idea he took part in and he aimed to keep it that way. Drakken realized DNAmy was still talking to him and focused back in on the conversation as he drank his chocolate milk

"I guess he made it you could invite anyone or something and I might have gone the whole week but Adrena's the only one I'd have fun bunking with and she brought that Lucre guy and to be honest... I'd stay away from that room," chuckled DNAmy, "I'm assuming your going Wednesday then?"

Drakken looked at his drink and shrugged as DNAmy continued to chat, but his mind now found other fixation points.

Shego didn't ask me to come at all...

Drakken knew if he dwell on it, it would only spoil his already rocky mood and he'd made the choice to not dwell at all today... something that was growing harder to do by the second. He glanced around the room as DNAmy talked about her latest genetic plans, something overly illegal and immoral he was sure, but he wasn't about to judge her in the slightest. He had a mild concern at the word 'platypus' but chose to not voice this. Instead he looked over all the peers in the room he'd desperately wanted to to be noticed by over the years only for his eyes to grow wide.

He could see Dr. Freeman chatting away with Dr. Bortel to a blonde women in a lab coat. Then towards where a more gruff Professor Acari laughed loudly with some sort of robotic massive bug with a very recognizable Nakaumi, the toy creator... most likely discussing whatever the giant robotic bug was to be used for. His eyes scanned the room even more and he had a sinking feeling in his gust as he quickly spun back in his seat and attempted to cover his head as he drank his milk. Not that the only blue man in a blue lab coat wasn't already noticeable, but for a second it made him feel better.

Drakken had never thought about the other attendance to this event, he'd not even bothered looking at the guest list provided. His eyes darted over DNAmy's head again. A majority of those in attendance appeared to be people he had stolen, kidnapped, manipulated, and in general.. screwed over... in his villainous attempts at word conquest.

"Amy, what would you do if you were surrounded by people you've in no polite terms... lied, cheat, and stolen from?" he asked quickly.

DNAmy scanned the room and then laughed.

"I'm sure its no different than any villain gathering... but I'm here right now," she took a sip of her drink, "And I am dealing with it by blissfully ignoring it... Oh there's Katie... I used he cousin for a hybrid thing.. she loathes me... Hey Katie!"

Drakken looked at DNAmy with horrified eyes as the women hopped off her seat and cheerfully went over to a women who looked a mixture of furry and fear. Drakken sighed and began rethinking every word of the speeches or even if he should get out before something triggered a lynch mob mentality.

–

If there had been one thing Shego had never seen herself partaking in, it would have been this moment she was in currently. Apparently Junior had called and advised everyone the festivities for all were going to be on Wednesday, which seemed simple enough and he'd already disclosed. What he hadn't informed her, or what the message she had only erased and not listened too informed... was it was a plus one party. Normally, with the amount of single villain friends Junior had, this would have just turned into a social gathering and possibly illegal activity... but apparently others assuming most would be in couples because Junior himself was now in a couple... they had decided to bring a pseudo significant other.

Shego watched where Lucre and Adrena took a shot from the resort waiter from beyond the fire.

I hope its just for fun, no one needs that combination long-term.

"So Shego, where's Drakken?" asked Camille from where she leaned against Midas.

Shego closed her eyes to try and process that horrible combination as well before choosing to speak.

"He's busy with his own week long plans," Shego said shortly as she took a much bigger gulp of a vial tasting tonic, "Besides, apparently this is a bring a fling setting and that doesn't fit our relationship thank you?"

"I thought you said you two were not a big deal?" asked Adrena. Lucre choked on his drink.

"Since when is married not a big deal?" Lucre looked shocked and it was Shego's turn to choke.

"Excuse me?" Shego coughed.

"There was a wedding and I was not invited?" cried Junior as he walked in with Bonnie, "I am... I am-"

"Appalled, horrified, disrespected, affronted?" offered Bonnie. Junior nodded.

"Affronted," Junior chose, "Shego, how could you?"

"I am not married," Shego sputtered. She glared at Lucre, "Drakken and I are in a relationship but where the heck did you get that from?"

"I was going to say," laughed Camille, "Hope you didn't sign a prenup."

"I am not with Drakken for money," hissed Shego. Camille shrugged and sipped her drink.

"So it's actually looks?" Camille cringed, "Huh, thought you had better taste."

Shego's hands ignited.

"Alright!" beamed Adrena, "A hundred on Shego!"

"There will be none of the fighting on my birthday!" yelled Junior as he swatted in their direction, "So stop."

Shego's glow faded and she turned back to Lucre as Adrena sighed and flopped back against him.

"Pleas elaborate on this conclusion," asked Shego. Her eyes narrowed at Adrena who made a face at Junior.

Lucre looked nervous before shrugging.

"Well I mean the way Drakken talked about you when we shared a cell, the tattoo, and how you two acted when I stayed at the lair-" Lucre was cut off.

"They let you stay at the lair?" asked Adrena in shock, "Shego, you said Drakken hates guests."

"He does. Lucre staying there was me teasing Drakken," said Shego. Lucre gestured to her, "What?"

"You spent like an hour telling me all these strange quarks and habits of Drakken even... who knows that but a married couple," Lucre gestured, "And you got really jealous when he wasn't paying attention to you."

"I did not!" lied Shego. She felt her face grow warm, "What are you the relationship police... and I lied to you. Those things annoyed him."

She realized the looks she was getting was proving Lucre's point. She was about to argue against it but instead she fell back against her chair.

"Yeah well, we are dating now but we are not married," she scoffed, "So stop making assumptions... what tattoo? Hank?"

Lucre shrugged and quickly downed his drink. Shego glared.

"To be fair for the first few years of Stoppable's blog he made it seem like you were married," said Bonnie as she cuddled up to Junior as he sat down.

"Is there something I'm missing about Drakken?" Camille asked in confusion.

"Also, you did spend most session talking about him," nodded Midas, "And the blog, yes. We read that allowed a lot depending on clients."

"Oh, I remember that," said Adrena, "The Great Adventures of Un-Stoppable Villains, right?"

"What is this blog?" snapped Shego, "Drakken's spent hours on the internet and not once mentioned it."

"Pretty sure it was blocked from more serious villains servers," Camille shot Adrena a smug look which earned a tongue being stuck at her.

"It was the only thing interesting to read in Barkin's lectures," grumbled Bonnie, "Possible made him take it down."

"How do you know so much about that?" asked Lucre. Bonnie looked nervous and Shego sighed.

"Because she's dealt with them more than you Lucre, geesh," Shego nodded at Bonnie's smirk.

"So what is going on Wednesday?" asked Adrena choosing to focus the subject on Junior.

About time.

Her focus fell onto the talk of fireworks and beach volleyball, and not many things Shego really cared to be there for. She began constructing her escape and explaining Drakken needed her assistance, but that hit a wall. If she left because of Drakken, she began to worry about what the others might think.

Who cares!

The yell in her own head made her actually jump. She focused on the setting sun and wondered at what point she could sneak away and leave. The room she'd been given was more than nice, but she could come back on Wednesday and stay the rest of the week after going to one of Drakken's speeches. She began reciting it in her head and took another drink in agitation that it had been memorized.

He's still going to forget half of it and wing it.

She rolled her eyes knowing he'd forget the cards even. Her eyes scanned across the group she was with and talking about a live beach band Senior had gotten for the grand midweek event. She felt a slight smile at Bonnie and Junior being an overly cuddly couple. How they were just blatantly them despite being villains... or rather a villain and... She wasn't sure of Bonnie's aspirations. Her eyes drifted to Adrena who was animatedly talking to Junior, leaned against Lucre who was explaining to Midas the reasons to purchase inexpensive hair gel, all while he had his arm draped over Adrena.

Shego was doubtful anything was actually going on between the two other than a drive for chaos and a good time... but they were nearly as cuddly as Bonnie and Junior. She followed her gaze to Midas, arguing over how bad inexpensive products were do the body. His arms secure around Camille who looked at him with a bored expression but played with a strand of his hair. Despite Camille's obvious uninterested expression, she seemed rather content being held closely by Midas.

I was worried about them knowing I was in a relationship.

She internally scoffed at her own previous action, which she had successfully corrected. She felt stupid for even valuing their opinions, seeing as they practically fawned over people who they probably called on a whem. She looked at Bonnie and Junior, the only actual couple there. She imagined Drakken sitting at the lair going over lists of what he needed... yet again... and the obvious aversion to outright declaring he wanted her to go with him.

"So what time is this all going down Wednesday?" asked Shego with a sigh, "So I know when to show up."

"Show up?" asked Junior with a snort, "You are already here."

"Yeah, but I can't stay. Drakken will probably want to go over things in his downtime this week, so I should keep tabs on him," Shego stated casually.

"What's he doing?" asked Lucre with a broad grin, "Something amazing I bet... So brilliant."

"Seriously what am I missing?" asked Camille in annoyance.

"He's delivering speeches at some nerdfest," Shego said dismissively, "we'll probably hang out by a pool-"

"If he has down time, invite him here to relax with us," beamed Junior, "We have better than a pool!"

"And subject him to this level of idiocy," snorted Shego as she got up, "Pasadena."

She internally cringed at her word choice.

"Hmm, interesting... so you've much rather not invite him," Camille sipped her drink.

"No, its that I'd much rather leave," Shego gestured a motion to leaving through the door.

"So you invited him and he said no?" Junior looked affronted now, "I am the hurt."

"No. I didn't get your message," scoffed Shego."

"She didn't invite him?" Camille whispered to Midas.

"Do you want to actually fight?" glared Shego.

"No. Adrena's just not talking to me and I need someone to focus my energy on," Camille shrugged. Shego stared at her, "Fine I'll pick on Lucre."

"Thank you," huffed Shego as she leaned back. She looked at Junior who was staring at her.

"For crying out loud... fine I'll ask him," grumbled Shego, "I'll call him later and ask, relax."

Shego let out a deep sigh and watched as the sun finally reached its midpoint on the ocean.

There's no reason he shouldn't be here.

He wasn't sure if it would have been cheaper to buy a gallon of chocolate milk by the amount of glasses he was consuming. If not for the casual conversations with DNAmy, a brief conversation with Dr. Sandradottir and her colleague about the ozone pollution and their new water-waste theory, and Dr. Freeman's chatter about a synthenoid delima... Drakken might have regretted coming. He'd been surprised how casual Dr. Freeman had been, it was as if the man never remembered Drakken kidnapping him, not that it bothered him.

Well I mean it was still an semi-successful plot, Someone should acknowledge it.

He'd avoided making eye-contact with anyone he could, hoping if he didn't do so that no one would bring his being here up. His eyes fell to where DNAmy was dancing with Dr. Freeman and rolled his eyes. She acted as if she wasn't a shunned member of the science community and a known villain... and yet she was having a great time. Even as who he assumed were her former colleagues, were glaring daggers at her. He considered doing as she was and just act as if he'd never wronged anyone here.

She terrorized her colleagues, you terrorized half the conference.

He snickered to himself before shaking it off.

That's not funny.

He thought about it and then snickered again before scanning around him.

Why is everyone wearing lab coats at night.

Drakken looked at his blue one and shrugged. His was a style choice, most here looked ready to go work on a science fair projects. His eyes saw Bortel and he raised a brow at his attire, it was closer to Drakken's aesthetic than their fellow scientists.

The man makes emotion control devices and things barely scraping villain.

Drakken mused this for a second and scanned the other side of the bar, hoping to see someone he hadn't been a problem for. He saw a few random scientists talking to local women, some people grouped in a corner and looking every-bit the social outcasts that were often stereotyped for scientists, and a dark haired women wearing actual colors and no lab coat. Drakken's eyes shot open and he looked at his mild instead.

Why would Protonia be here?

He momentarily wondered if there was an evil plot afoot, before he realized he and DNAmy were both here with no malicious intent. He glanced at DNAmy.

At least I am here without any malicious intent.

Drakken made a choice to finish off his glass and book it back to his room before the night got any weirder.

"Hey, Drew!" Drakken looked over his shoulder as a familiar voice hit his ear.

Nevermind. Too late. It got weirder.

James Possible pulled up a seat next to him as if it were the most normal daily task to do. Drakken grimaced as the man ordered a drink and began talking as if he wasn't the bane of his existence and making Drakken regret even attending the conference at all. Key note speaker or not. It had slipped his mind that he would be here.

Of coarse he's here. Why wouldn't he be. Everyone else in here is giving me anxiety, why not throw in Possible.

"When I saw your name on the list, I was shocked," James smirked, "But look at you Dr. Bigshot... not even a doctor."

Drakken clenched his fist and gave a forced smug expression.

"I'll have you know... I have a degree from online," Drakken stated.

It's not even a real paper its a print out.

Drakken ignored his own internal correction, in Shego's voice no less.

"Oh, my mistake," replied James, "Where'd you get it? Print R Us?"

"Is there a point of you existing in my general space?" glared Drakken as he downed his milk.

"I came over here to ask about the speech in the morning and congratulate you on your enhancements to the ERMA project. The Elevation Retractable Magnetic Armor design is far more streamlined and cost efficient," said James. Drakken raised a brow which earned a look, "We're both on the project."

Drakken made a mental note to start paying attention to who else these projects involved. Drakken shrugged it off.

"Are you?" he mused, "Ah yes, I do distinctly remember and heir of arrogance in its notes."

"I think the word there your looking for is articulated confidence," corrected James, "I did appreciate the childish simplistic notes returned on it. Your lab assistants did a good job making it clear enough for the high school interns to decipher."

"I wrote that myself," smirked Drakken. He stared at the amused expression on James' face before realizing the insult, "Well this have been fun, but I'm going to turn in to deliver my key-note speakers speech in the morning."

"That's a good idea," James finished off his own drink, "So did you want to go first tomorrow or should I?"

Drakken was halfway off his stool when he looked at James who was doing the same.

"Excuse me?" swallowed Drakken.

"You and I are both the key-note speakers on ERMA... you did actually read the project notes, correct?" asked James, "I mean I know you never did in college-"

"Yes I read them!" snapped Drakken, "It just didn't specify the other party."

"I would assume that would have been an easy guess given I was the main name listed on the project," smirked James.

Drakken wanted to scream but instead smirked.

"Interesting that they would give it to me to fix," Drakken mused, "Loosing your touch are we Possible?"

The smirk flickered off James' face before he gave a narrowed eyes grin.

"Clearly I was far too advanced for the simplistic needs for it... You know some of those drawing renditions reminded me of the doodles my kids had on the fridge growing up," said James. Drakken began walking but kept his expression fixed.

"Interesting... so they got all their talent from their mother than," Drakken's smirk deepened, "That explains so much."

"Did you know my son's have above average intelligence," bragged James. Attempting to control the topic as they left the bar lounge, "They are genius."

"Hmm," hummed Drakken, "So Anne's genes dominated everything I see. The whole world is relieved."

Drakken felt a smug waft of energy hit him at the annoyed expression James had as they reached their break-off point. He wanted to hurry and reach his room before James could think of a comeback to take away his successful insult. He was at the door when James finally spoke from down the hall and Drakken hurried with the key.

"We'll decide who goes first in the morning," was the only response before James vanished down the opposite hallway.

Drakken entered his room and gave a gleeful if not malicious laugh. The night had ended on a very smug note that made coming to the conference early worth it. He riffled through his luggage and pulled out his cards, planning on changing a few notes in it and possibly work on a few more insults for James because he knew James would be doing the same since he'd been bested at the game of snark. He heard his phone go off and riffled for it before seeing Shego was calling him. His grin flickered slightly before he answered.

"How's your vacation going?" asked Drakken. He fought hard to ignore the returning annoyance at his own words.

"There's pending violence if Camille doesn't zip it," came the light response, "Otherwise its fine. Do you have everything packed?"

"Actually I'm already at the conference. I came early to the mixer...," He thought about ranting about everyone here and the strange faces, but he stopped himself, "I'm having the time of my life."

Maybe if I make it sound thrilling- stop.

"Oh! Wow, that's... so your already there and having fun?" she gave a faint chuckle, "That's great."

"Yes, and I even put James Possible in his place," grinned Drakken, "This is shaping up to be the best time I've ever had... and tomorrow I get to blow them all away with my design correction for the ERMA project."

"Hmm," Shego hummed.

Drakken stopped his rambling at her hum.

This is why she didn't want to come... she could care less about the science.

"Enough about the conference," he forced himself to say, "Anything exciting?"

Like Wednesday?

"Not really... oh wait. Midas and Lucre are here?" she snorted. Drakken narrowed his eyes.

"Midas... the message guy... interesting," Drakken responded, "Hired by Junior?"

"No, he's actually here with Camille... which is not as weird as who Lucre's here with," Shego laughed.

"Adrena?" asked Drakken. Shuttering at the memory of the Christmas party.

"Yup," sighed Shego, "Apparently since Junior has someone, its turned into a couple fest... even if whatever those four are is not even considered the barest level of relationship."

"Oh, so its a couples week?" asked Drakken, "Did you know this?"

"No. Apparently Junior sent out a message that I didn't get," said Shego. It was silent a beat, "So you have three days of speeches... any plans?"

"Mostly I'll be coming up with snarky responses to Possible and tweaking my speech," he said casually.

"Your speech is fine," she sighed, "You know I have it stuck in my head thanks... so you have free time?"

Drakken smiled and leaned over the small table he'd sat at.

"Some," he forced the casual tone.

"Well don't use it to work on your speech," Shego chuckled, "Maybe the comebacks though."

Drakken's smile faded as she want back to talking about the couples and the drama still unfolding among the group. His shoulder's slumped and he found himself zoning out of the conversation as it became clear she was not going to ask him to join her and his plan to ask her to come for a few days seemed like a waste of breath.

"Shego," he cut her off, "It's late here and I should get some sleep. I have to deal with Possible in the morning."

"I... Oh, yeah you'll need to be alert for that," she went silent for a moment, "Ohm, good night... and good luck. Did you want me to call you in the morning?"

"And take away from your beach vacation getaway, I'll be fine," replied Drakken, "Good night, Shego."

"Night," her voice sounded softer than normal before he hung up.

Drakken let out a deep sigh and he shoved his phone away as he focused all his energy on making speech adjustments.

Shego looked at her phone as she ended the call and took a deep sigh. She hadn't asked him to come like she'd planned, she'd seized up and instead evaded it with vague openings. She crossed her arms and glared at the shrubbery against the outer building she was leaning on. She had given herself three openings...

He's having a good time.

She sighed and pushed off the wall and turned back to the walk path.

"You didn't ask him to join you?" Camille leaned against a pillar holding more wine bottles.

Shego glared as she looked at the one time heiress who was getting on her last nerve.

"He's busy at his conference, I'm not going to bother him-"

"Really? Because it seems more like you don't want him here with you around your friends," said Camille smugly, "You made a big deal about it being nothing and then an even bigger deal about you two being together... and yet... so much hesitation."

"You are way off base," snapped Shego, "Which is none of your business either way... and I'd use the term 'friends' very loosely. This isn't the crowd he would enjoy himself around, that's all."

"Do you think this is Midas' usual hang group... or Lucre's?" snorted Camille, "There here... and they are less than even casual or serious."

Shego didn't like the pitied expression on Camille's face as she walked passed her and back towards the bonfire's direction.

"Hey, but you said it's none of my business," Camille gave a dismissive hand-wave as she vanished around the corner.

Shego scoffed and shook her head, debating on just calling it a night and getting some sleep. Her glare faded away as she looked back at her phone, wondering if she should call Drakken back and actually ask him... it would be easy and straight forward and gain a yes of no response. Her finger hovered over the button before she sighed and let her finger fall away.

He's having a good time on his own.

Hmm Let's See WHATELSE is AFOOT!