Segway

It was a perfect afternoon to be outdoors, the sun was shining, the weather was relatively warm... and the hot tub was the perfect temperature. Shego grumbled under her breath as she lazily splashed her toes out of the water. In the time since Drakken had left to take his mother to the airport, Shego had finally found time to herself to think... which was leading to a very agitated path. Telling herself that the questions from Estelle had been just the older women being more nosy about her as she was now officially dating her son... and the women had motives she was sure.

That would have been easy enough to get over with a simple eye roll and a few avoided phone calls to get even... but that had transitioned to another issue.

Six months.

Drakken and she had been dating for nearly six months, had known each other for years, and we're in a relationship. She glared at the bubbles as her mind echoed those incentives back at her.

Why hasn't he asked me?

There was no rush and if it was anyone other than Drakken, the thought of a proposal so soon would send her running... but it was Drakken and the time duration was more than a little concerning. He'd asked DNAmy to practically marry him after a few days and they were nothing more than working on the same project. The whole Dr. Sweets that had been a handful of months and the women had put him under mind control for the beginning of it.

Yet here she was... six months in... years of knowing each other... and not even a verbal attempt at the proposal. Her thoughts couldn't fathom why feeling that if anything he should have asked her much sooner than the others. It wasn't as if she'd ever really stifled the idea either, there had been dozens of jokes and teasing over the years even before it was ever an option. Halfway through her mulling of this, her mind took a different turn.

Do I want him to propose?

The thought didn't take long to answer.

Yes.

The reality she hadn't thought about it was suddenly alarming. There was a swelling of panic racing through her, something in the back of her mind that she needed to take a step back and-

No.

It was another deep sigh as she tried to pull her mind away from those thoughts. They crept up every so often, that things were going to well... getting to serious... that she needed to leave. Years of telling herself not to become comfortable coming back after she'd already let it become that way years prior... they'd come then too... but they had been easier to push off with the pep talk that she wasn't bound to stay working or living with Drakken... but the more she wanted just that... the more those thoughts taunted her like a monster peeking out of a lonely and dark closet.

Shego knew it had nothing to do with her own wants or even Drakken... it was a mindset born of fear and protection back when she was still in Team Go... a fear that meant if you got comfortable... something or someone could hurt you easier. Leaving herself too open for a betrayal... something for the first time she wasn't expecting... it didn't stop her from still waiting for it to happen. Sometimes reading into things far too deeply. Like this thought process now, wondering if Drakken had a reason for not proposing-

Her thoughts were interrupted.

"That took longer than expected," came Drakken from where he'd landed the hovercar.

She'd been so caught up in her own thoughts she hadn't even heard him land, let alone seen him. If she had seemed startled, Drakken had missed it or chose not to address it as he moved to lean on the hot tub. Shego beat him to it as she turned to rest her arms on the marble side and give him a casual smile.

"Have fun?" she asked.

"Oh yes, plenty," he rolled his eyes, "Did you know I need to wear more respectable attire other than my lab coat?"

Shego's smile became a smirk.

"You're mother's not wrong," said Shego. Drakken's eyes shot open, "You have more clothes than I do... and right now it would be more respectful to be in swim shorts."

Drakken's frown became a smirk as he leaned towards Shego.

"She included the black lab coat in her list of things I shouldn't wear," he whispered. Shego gasped.

"I think the hairspray has gone to her head, how dare she," snickered Shego.

Drakken's response was to lean into a kiss, which was the preferred response Shego had wanted anyway.

"I'm going to go change," stated Drakken as he pulled away, "To something more respectful for the hot tub."

He added an eye roll before heading inside to do just that.

The bubbles from the jet made the ripples in the water pick up as Shego swished her legs about. The calm and relaxing setting was pulled from her as she glanced upwards to see the blurred reflection of the dining table through the windows. The packages and boxes still left there and forgotten from this morning, the content still a mystery. She also noticed a few roses woven in with some of the vines and her eyes narrowed in the direction of said vines.

Troublesome foliage.

She scoffed, making a mental note to confront them with whatever was left of the bouquet of roses that had been in the house earlier. But her mind focused in on all the gifts and with it, the thoughts from earlier returned. Along with what she had attempted to express herself to Drakken before the henchmen had interrupted and Drakken had rushed his mother to the airport. She crossed her arms and thought about it more closely now that her emotions weren't in control of her unlike after breakfast with Estelle. There was almost a relief at being interrupted that began to come over her, she hadn't been in the right state of mind for any affirmations and there had been a lot of coffee at breakfast.

It's not that I don't know how I feel...

She was now beginning to run all the ways Drakken might respond... or overreact given his mood from this morning.

Well if he's planning-

She stopped herself and shook the thought from her head.

Damn it, Mama Lipsky, get out of my head!

She let out a deep sigh and leaned back against the wall of the hot tub.

But what is the hold-up?

She groaned in annoyance at her own thoughts. Knowing that until this morning she hadn't even had Drakken possibly proposing on her mind at all. But the questions this morning, his reaction to the conversation this morning and-

He slammed that drawer when I walked into the lab...

Her face went warm and there was that same wave coursing through her as this morning before they'd been interrupted. The sound of the sliding door opening stopped any further focus away as she looked to see Drakken headed towards her. She snorted as she watched him struggle to carry a tray of something and closing the door.

"If only you had an assistant?" she called out to him. He glared at her, "Or an extra set of hands?"

He opened his mouth and she waited for a retort but only smirked as Flower appeared and closed the door loudly. It was almost comical as she watched Drakken sigh as Flower made an extra flourish before vanishing as if mocking him for not using it sooner.

"Whatchya got there?" asked Shego as he put a tray down, "Oh so that's what took you so long, fruit?"

"Well someone ate all the already cut ones," he retorted as he went to step in.

She shrugged and then watched as his feet sunk into the water and he walked to sit beside her. She tugged at the black fabric of his shirt and rolled her eyes.

"What's with the shirt?" asked Shego. Drakken crossed his arms.

"Are you going to make fun of my Snowman Hank tattoo?" asked Drakken.

Shego gave her most innocent expression.

"It's my birthday... if there was ever a day I'm allowed to do it... it should be today," she kept her innocent expression going.

Drakken looked unable to process the expression which caused her to fight back a snicker. Eventually, it broke into a smirk as Drakken sighed and tossed his shirt next to the towels. She saw a flash of regret across his face as she grinned, but he proceeded to join her. She restrained herself from the teasing she felt suddenly inclined to do. Instead pulling him to sit closer to her so she could lean against him. His arm wrapped around her waist to closed any distance between them, focusing her in the tranquil late morning with a content sigh of relief.

The tranquility hadn't lasted long enough. One comment about the sun reflecting off the water and the kiss after sharing strawberries was interrupted by Drakken's epiphany. In a split second, she'd been left half kissing the air as Drakken had raced out of the hot tub and vanished inside. It had taken several aggravating minutes before she had followed after him... to find herself slumped under her sunlight in the lab, glaring at Drakken unnoticed.

He was ranting and rambling about the ozone, notes of nonsense that even if she bothered reading his key card, she would not decipher... His lab coat barely clipped and his goggles fixed as he began piecing things together like a haphazard puzzle that was held together with solder. She narrowed her eyes at him further, as if willing him to acknowledge her. It worked because his rambling stopped and he looked in her direction. He stared at her longer than he really needed to in her opinion before he stood straight and the whine in his voice made it clear he understood her aggravation.

"Shego! It's important," he pleaded, "I realized that I was going about the repair patch all wrong and- it won't take long."

She kept her glare fixed on him, but she felt the emotions shifting as she did so. She wanted to complain or lecture him about his attention span, but it didn't happen. Instead, she fixated on the way his hands fiddled with the pen in his hand and even without seeing his eyes she knew he was honestly leaving it up to her. If she complained, he would begrudgingly depart from his project but be distracted the entire time he was supposed to be spending with her... the alternative being letting him work on his project and bringing it up next time he asked her to do something she didn't feel like doing.

She rolled her eyes and sighed before pushing off her seat.

"Fine, but you owe me," she stated firmly. He grinned.

"I will make it up tonight," said Drakken, "Dancing after dinner?"

"Pfft," she snorted, "You and I both know that you're going to be tinkering with this till dawn."

"Not going to happen, Shego," he smirked confidently, which only looked amusing with his goggles, "Nothing shall distract me from this evening's plan... prepare yourself for a wowfully wowing evening."

Shego bit her lip and fought the urge to correct his grammar but only nodded.

"I await with trepidation," she replied. She watched his lips purse.

"That's not the right word," he grinned.

"Oh. It is," she teased as she headed towards the elevator and heard him mock her under his breath, "I will see you at six."

"Precisely," he hastened at her as she reached the doors, "Not a moment passed. You'll see!"

"I suppose I will."

She fought a snicker as she watched him set another alarm as the elevator doors closed. She leaned against the metal wall as it took her upwards, and wondered if this supposedly wowful evening would end in her dressed up while he tinkered with his invention until dawn... or until she lost patience and cut the power to his lab and locked him down there.

The snicker finally escaped her lips just as the doors opened.

Her fingers played with the stunning silver necklace she'd opened as she looked in her mirror. Shego hadn't opened them all, just a few to tide her over as she waited for dinner. It had been the only thing keeping her from overthinking this evening's possibilities... and she realized that she hadn't bought any decent magazines or books in ages. The sky was too cloudy to have soaked in sun as a distraction, and there was nothing on television. Times like these she wished she had her old hoverboard back so she could at least do that... and the hovercar was not the same.

There had even been a point in which she'd considered calling Junior... but she had stopped herself thankfully... an indication of just how much Estelle had affected her.

You're way off base.

She rolled her eyes as she headed towards her window to shove the flowers away to close the window. There was a slight chill in the fall air and it was taking a more bitter turn. She smiled as Peri aided in shoving the flowers away from the ledge and sighed as she pet its soft petals. Her eyes narrowed in thought about her internal mess... she wasn't like this... she didn't overthink things like this... that was Drakken.

"Uhg, he's rubbing off on me," she groaned and closed the door, "Get it together."

So we're talking to ourselves now?

Shego glared at the wall that separated their rooms.

He is lucky I love-

She stopped her own thoughts and sighed.

Why do I even care... yesterday I didn't even think about this stuff.

That was a lie.

She grumbled to herself as she picked up the shoes she intended on wearing.

Dwelling on it, she had not. But she would be lying to herself that over the years the idea hadn't tempted her even before they were together. Even before she'd realized her feelings, she'd long decided that Drakken was the closest to a husband she'd probably ever have... the wanting him to be had come later. The idea of getting married had always seemed far-fetched growing up, no one wanted to marry a superhero... save just to claim it... and becoming a villain had blown any notion of it far away... the idea of falling in love or marrying outside of money in a villain world was laughable... and yet.

"Here I am," she scoffed as she finished putting on her shoes, "Uhg, that sounded cheesy even to me."

There was a knock at her door and she snorted as she watched the clock switch to six.

"You know, this punctual thing is only proving that for years you actively chose to irritate me," she stated as she opened the door, "I mean how many times did you whine about losing track of time."

She watched Drakken shrug, fighting a smirk.

"I don't recall," he said casually. She watched his expression shift, "You look... is that a new dress?"

She looked at the turquoise dress she wore.

"No... you bought this for me... years ago... just not worn it before," she smoothed his lapel, "One of your many suites you hide?"

"That's a beautiful color on you," Drakken continued ignoring her, "You should wear... I mean you look beautiful."

The snicker she fought at his slight fluster, took all her strength. She instead rolled her eyes and walked past him, reaching back behind her to grab his hand as she pulled him towards the exit.

The Athena. Drakken fought the internal swirl of emotions as they walked into the restaurant where they'd had there first official date. He had chosen it specifically for that reason, but now it felt like he was in a vice grip at being here. Reminding himself that the ring was back at the lair was the only thing stopping him from his initial plan... that and the sudden arrival of his logical side he'd dealt with the entire flight from dropping off his mother.

If you rush this, it might end worse than-

He grumbled under his breath, willing the logical side of his mind to take a hike.

"What was that?" asked Shego. He looked to where she was still arm in arm with him as they were seated.

He smiled at her, hoping it didn't look forced.

"Nothing, just pushing thoughts aside," he answered truthfully.

He watched the smirk curl at the edge of her lips.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to let go of your lab project," hummed Shego. Drakken narrowed his eyes to argue.

Go with it.

"Ah, well... now it's gone," he waved his hand dismissively, "And we haven't sat down for dinner yet, so it doesn't count."

He rolled his eyes at her smug expression as they were seated but it fell away as their evening began. Everything had been going smoothly as they ordered, talked about the view, plans for this upcoming week, and it was an effortless time as their food came... but Drakken should have known better as his focus began to shift.

"I see you opened one of your gifts," he stated as she fiddled with the necklace.

"I had to do something while you were tinkering around," she snickered. There was a pause as she smiled, "Thank you."

His hand paused in midair as he pulled the wine glass towards him. The softness of her expression as she grabbed her fork, but held eyes on him. The setting sun dipping below to paint a picturesque swirl of colors that framed her. The fragrant smell of the flowers on the table mingled with the familiar entrancing scent of Shego's familiar scent... her green eyes fixed on his. His mind began racing a mile a minute and he went over his original plans.

It took every ounce of strength and arguing internally to finish pulling the wine glass to his lips. Restraining the intense desire he had to begin his well-planned speech. His leg began bouncing in nerves as if itching to get down on one knee as he had planned... but logic reared its ugly head again.

Wait.

He smiled back at Shego as he put down his wine glass. He watched her one brow raise, making it known his expression was off. He took another drink in hopes of hiding his full features until he gained better control.

"Drew, are you okay?" asked Shego.

Drakken choked on the liquid in his mouth. Burning found its way down his throat and nose as he coughed. His concern about his expression vanished as his eyes watered and gasped for air.

"Easy there, killer," said Shego, attempting to make light of it, but her brows were knitted in concern, "You should have just gotten water like you planned."

"Yes," he coughed, ignoring onlookers' concern, "Planned- Did you just call me Drew?"

He felt a strange tingle up his spine and instinctively reached behind his neck to make sure it wasn't Flower. There was a puzzled expression on Shego's face before he saw her eyes widen and the tint of an embarrassed blush spread across her face. It was an instant and she waved her hand and forced an amused expression on her face as she snorted to recover her own composure.

"I spent the last week and this morning with your mother correcting me... started turning into a reflex," she dismissed, "No need to almost die over."

"Well- I- It was just strange not hearing you say it in a condescending or mocking tone," he grumbled, "Wasn't expecting it."

"You didn't need to water our meal because of it," retorted Shego. Her expression began fixed, "Is there something the matter?"

"No," said Drakken as he cleared his throat and picked up his fork.

"Anything... you want to say?" she asked calmly. Drakken raised a brow.

"No?" he asked. Shego shrugged and resumed her meal, "Actually-"

"Yes," she put down her fork.

Her focus took him back before he spoke.

"Uh, how's your steak?" he asked.

Shego's lips pursed before she glanced down at it and shrugged.

"A little damp now-"

"It did not get on your plate," Drakken cut in. He saw the teasing smirk ghost across Shego's face, "Fine, how's your steak soup."

He felt her gently kick his leg under the table as she rolled her eyes.

"It's good," she snorted, "Yours?"

"... the soup tastes like wine," he smirked back. Shego let out a groan.

"It's gone downhill since our first date," she added.

The joke was cut off as the waiter appeared.

"Is everything okay?" said the young man hastily, "Is the food not to your liking."

"No, it's-" Drakken began/

"I shall bring you a new one, Sir and Miss," said the waiter swiftly.

He was gone before either could stop the waiter.

"... well the service is great," continued Shego. The two snickered with each other for a moment.

Drakken found his hand slide to find Shego's as the chuckling faded. The soft expression was back as she tilted her head looking at him. While he had pushed the proposal away for the moment... it didn't mean some of his words couldn't be part of dinner.

Do it. Tell her.

"Shego... I l-" the affirmation he'd wanted to share was cut off.

"Look whose out and about?" came a familiar voice behind Drakken.

He watched Shego's soft expression fade into annoyance as she looked over his shoulder. Drakken glared before he even had to look.

"Dementor," he said sharply as the man in question appeared at his table, "What are you doing here?"

"Well unlike some, I've lived here a rather long time," said Dementor in confidence.

"Then perhaps we should go back to c-existing at a distance," said Drakken, "Don't want to infringe-"

"I'll make it quick... Mein sister and I have much to talk about before that dummkopf Myron gets back," Dementor waved, "Infringing is a choice of words I find best. Could you see to it, that your little flowers keep away from my lair? The last thing I or you would like if for that lovely kleiner unfall... to mingle with my perfect ones."

Drakken stared at Dementor as the words sunk in. There was an almost haste in his tone... and Drakken was attempting to come up with a snarky over inquiring to what Dementor met... his desires to insult Dementor winning over the concern his flowers might be.

"Don't worry about that... my flowers have better taste than that," stated Drakken smugly. Dementor snorted.

"If the taste reflects the creator..."

Dementor trailed off as he looked around them and then to Shego. Who Drakken saw was leaning on her palm watching Dementor closely. It was apparent as Dementor took a small step back that he'd seen the green glow from Shego's palm before Drakken had noticed.

"Is the retort that hard to remember or did you take a moment to think?" asked Shego calmly.

Dementor opened his mouth to continue with some other insult he was sure, but it was interrupted.

"Ludwig," came a sharp feminine tone.

A woman with a sharp-cut bob, almost similar to the helmet Dementor never parted from, appeared next to him. The maroon tones of the women's dress finish the resemblance between the siblings.

"Hildegarde, I said I would be back," hissed Dementor before muttering something in German.

Her retort was sharp and agitated, causing Drakken and Shego to exchange a confused look. He wondered for a moment if Shego understood what they were say, but she shrugged indicating she either missed it or did not know.

"It is a pleasure to meet you," grinned Hildegarde as she pushed her brother aside and offered her hand.

Drakken was confused a moment before hesitantly shaking it. He saw Shego raise a brow before taking a drink from her wine.

"Ludwig has talked about you often-" Hildegarde was cut off.

"I have not," stated Dementor firmly, "There you have met him... now off we go-"

Dementor began pushing his sister away who was aggressively arguing with him as he did so.

"We shall talk about the flower, later," Dementor stated. Drakken was not sure if it was directed at him or Dementor's sister.

"That was weird," muttered Shego. Drakken nodded.

"Uh... yes... and what was he saying about-" Drakken was cut off.

"I am so sorry to interrupt," said a man and women from behind them, "But since they said something-"

"Would you mind terribly if we asked for a picture together?" finished his date with a hopeful grin.

"Me? Why-" asked Drakken. Shego nudged his leg under the table, "Oh! I... sure."

Drakken stared at the nervous couple before standing up to do as they asked. What he had assumed would have been a one-time flattery, turned into some sort of meet and greet he did not sign up for. As much as the idea of being fawned over for his genius was a blessing, the timing couldn't have been worse. A few glances at Shego relaxed him as her expression seemed almost amused as more people came to introduce themselves. This had ended mainly due to annoyance and a few arguments breaking out among some of the people eating at the restaurant. A clear indication that dinner was well and over.

Regardless of proposing, perhaps private dining is a better choice going forward.

Ah... the evening isn't over yet.