One Step Back

The sun's faded tones left the oncoming night sky a dark velvety purple as they sat in the hovercar. Shego's head rested against Drakken's shoulder as he tried and failed to hide his excitement at being fawned over. She'd be lying if there wasn't some slight annoyance inside her at how long he'd relished in it, nor the amount he had carried on as they had gone on a walk along the beach. Halfway along the shore, he'd seemed to have caught on and transitioned the conversation... but she knew where his focus was and where it was going. Any romantic inclination the evening might have fully had was now a second thought to Drakken.

With a small hope to regain some of the evening, they were headed home to change for the evening of dancing she'd been promised. As much as she liked dancing, especially with Drakken, she was worried a repeat of dinner might occur.

If he would just drop the subject and focus-

She stared at him for a second and smirked to herself.

"If I can get that solar-"

She silenced him with her lips. Her smirk grew as after a breath, he seemed to realize that she was kissing him. His reaction hadn't been what she had expected as he kissed back with the same amount of energy she had started it with. Slightly leaning her backwards as his arm slid around her waist. She wanted to make a mild snarky quip about how she'd successfully got his attention, but she didn't get a chance as he pulled away slightly.

"You know, that's not always going to work on me?" he stated smugly.

Shego raised a brow and snorted.

"Why is that?" asked Shego as her hand slid under his chin.

"Eventually I'll remember it wont work on you and then I'll be able to-"

She cut him off with a quick peck.

"Who says it won't work on me?" she asked casually. He blinked and she watched the flush on his face, "Kissy face is always an option."

He rolled his eyes but before the banter could be tempted he resumed kissing her.

When the autopilot beeped letting them know they were near home, she was fought a sigh of annoyance at being interrupted yet again.

"You know, these interruptions are really putting a damper on this birthday," she found herself admitting.

She saw Drakken's expression perk up as they landed.

"Would a surprise perhaps fix that?" he asked confidently.

"Depends on the surprise," said Shego as they got out of the hovercar, "Because if its in one of those boxes... I already opened them all."

The expression stayed on Drakken's face as they headed inside. She wasn't going to complain about his confident expression locked on her... but he swiftly headed inside ahead of her.

"I have to run to the lab," he stated before moving quicker than he normally would towards the elevator, "I'll be right back."

Shego was about to roll her eyes when the image of the drawer being slammed came flooding back to her.

"Happy birthday," came Drakken's voice as she opened her eyes.

The grin on her face momentarily faltered at the sight. There was a stream lined board painted black with lime green lights glowing on the edges. It was a more detailed and upgraded version of her hoverboard and she adored it... but he knew her emotions and face were not expressing this as she spoke.

"A hoverboard?" stated Shego.

"Yes, and this one has a call back feature so no one can take it," smirked Drakken. Shego raised a brow at him, "What?"

"Doe it work?" she teased. Drakken grumbled under his breath.

"Yes! It works," he whined. Shego smirked and kept eye contact, "I haven't exactly tested it yet, but it will work!"

Shego snickered as she looked at the hoverboard, not leaving from next to Drakken as she looked at it. It was probably his best work, far more stream lined, and there were several buttons indicating upgraded features... all he built himself for her... but she couldn't not feel slightly let down by the gift. The evening had been building her up mentally to an alternative ending, that she knew she wasn't giving the reaction he'd hoped for.

"You don't like it," she watched his grin fall, "I know its different then the old one- I can make it like that again-"

"No." Shego interrupted and smiled, "It's very nice... Everything you got me today was wonderful."

She gave him a soft kiss that seemed to lessen the stiffening in his frame.

"Are you sure?" he asked. His eyes were searching hers more than they normally would have for such a question, "Because-"

"Yes, I'm sure. I think I'm just a little tired from spending the morning with your mother," she partially lied, "I promise I till be more enthusiastic in the morning."

She watched his expression shift as if trying to decide if he should believe her. She slid her arms around his neck and gave a longer soft kiss. When his hands gently found her waist in the same simple and soft return, she smiled into his lips. Knowing his mind wasn't spinning things like she knew it had started to do.

"Are you sure you don't want to go out dancing?" he asked one last time.

"Rain-check," she hummed, "I want to get changed out of this dress and I think we're due for a movie night."

He gave a soft sigh, but the calm smile across his lips showed his own relief.

"But I'm choosing the movie," she stated firmly. His smile wavered, "Whose birthday is it?"

"Fine," he grumbled before pulling away from her, "Any specification on the popcorn?"

"Surprise me," she began walking back inside.

As they split up, Shego let out a deep sigh once she closed her bedroom door behind her. She knew she shouldn't feel disappointed or upset, that she shouldn't have read so much into what was simply Estelle being Estelle. She'd spent the better part of the evening waiting for something that didn't come instead of enjoying finally having time with Drakken after a whole week. More concerning was that she had seemingly come off ungrateful for all he'd planned... dinner... gifts... and like she'd preferred... something made specifically for her. It was easy to focus on his pr addling as they'd walked along the beach, but now that she thought about it... there had been more than one moment on their walk she'd almost expected something more. His jovial mood had even made way to a failed attempt at skipping rocks, but she'd been dismissive of what she would have normally found dorky and slightly charming. She looked out her window but couldn't see the hoverboard from this angle. She rolled her eyes at her own antics just as she felt small vines weaving along her hand. As she looked down at Peri entangling her fingers she let out a soft smile.

"Shego," came Drakken's voice at her door.

"That's not making popcorn," she snickered.

She heard the door handle and bit back a devious grin as the door moved.

"I'm getting changed," she said casually.

She watched the door hesitate as it was partially opened. The fact she could imagine the multiple expressions Drakken was probably fighting on his face almost made her snort in laughter as she headed towards the door. It remained frozen in its partially open state and she couldn't help but shake her head as she saw the door move slightly to open before moving back to the original position.

"How undressed are you- Ow!" Shego yanked the door open and the snort broke free, "That hurt- you're not changing?"

"Not sure if I should be insulted or find it sweet you didn't finish opening the door to find out," she teased, "Yes?"

"It took a great deal of restraint-"

"Are you going to make a joke about a birthday suit?" cut in Shego. Drakken bit his lips, "Before you embarrass yourself, what did you need that couldn't wait ten minutes."

"There's something important I need to say," he said as he finished coming into the room.

"Oh?" asked Shego as she stood up straighter. There was a swirl in her chest as she smiled at him.

"Yes..." he looked at her for a few breaths before she watched his brow furrow, "We're out of popcorn."

Shego rolled her eyes and shoved him out of the room.

"Just go find something," she ordered as she closed the door. Ignoring his continued attempts to talk.

She heard him let out a frustrated sigh before the sound of his door opening made her let out her own. With a few deep breaths she shook the anger swirling in her aside. The anger wasn't at Drakken, but at how she was reacting to something so simple because it wasn't what she'd wanted. Just having given herself an internal speech about being ungrateful all evening... and now she was reacting with anger at something she would have snickered at any other day. With a small shake of the head she began getting changed and try and enjoy the rest of the evening.

Get it together!

Drakken closed the drawer of his nightstand with more agitation than was warranted.

No. It's warranted.

He grumbled under his breath as he opened it up again to look at the small box before giving a defeated sigh and closing it again. Tonight was not the night, and the fact he'd almost thrown caution to the wind when he'd gotten the hoverboard from the lab... should have been diminished completely by Shego's reaction to her gift. It was clear the evening had taken a turn eradicating any lingering notion he was having. Pulling out his pajamas he couldn't help but be annoyed now. Though, he wasn't sure where the annoyance was focused... his failings or Shego's reaction to his attempts at regaining the evening since dinner.

She didn't even want to go dancing.

His mother's voice echoed in his head about what had now become a deeply concerning new fear. It was almost suffocating all the new, or rather reestablished, insecurities. Months ago he hadn't even been plagued by thoughts of where he and Shego's relationship was or going and then one small thing after the other it was as if his mind had turned on a weather machine with no off switch. While he knew it wasn't his mother's intent, he had second guessed his evening plans. Plans he had set perfectly aside, ignoring conversations to be had, dismissing his own personal insecurities.. he had woven a perfect evening. A lovely day planned just the two of them, an evening of find dining, a romantic walk along the beach where he'd thought of a perfect spot to propose and then an evening in for two.

So simple. So perfect-

Except it wouldn't have been... or that's what he told himself now. Imagining proposing to Shego where he'd stopped the skip rocks instead, her giving him a half forced smile at his possibly too soon and unwarranted proposal... then like in his past... rejection. Worse yet, Shego he knew well enough that she would either play it off for a few days before running away... or simply just declining and booking it if she was blindsided.

He pushed his thoughts back aside and began digging in his drawer for pajamas or lounge wear of some kind. Momentarily stopping to realise he'd lied about the popcorn and would have to hurry downstairs and hide them behind something before Shego opened the cabinet. He hastily grabbed his black pajamas and paused as he held up only the bottoms. He rummaged some more but couldn't find the rest of his new favorite pair. He glared at the adjascent wall before grabbing a different set and hurrying to beat Shego downstairs.

Her brow raised as she pulled the bag of popcorn from the cabinet, in clear view, and scoffed as she let the door close with a bang. The banging continued as the hit the pot rather hard against the stove to start making the popcorn.

It's like he needs glasses or something.

She poured the butter and kernels in the pan and hit the heat just as she heard thumping down the steps. Leaning back to see down the hall she watched as Drakken all but fell down the stairs, loosing one of his slippers in his haste downwards. His mumbling and exclamations of slight pain as he hit his knee against one of the steps as he grabbed his slipper made her snort. Shego moved to lean against the doorway as Drakken attempt to yank the hem of his pant from where it had snagged on the beam. The yank he gave sent him falling on his backside with a growl of annoyance at the stairs. Shego let out a loud noise torn between a snort and a laugh as she shook her head.

"Shego!" he looked at her in surprise and then annoyance, "Why are you laughing?"

"I was just amused by how graceful you get each day... like swan," she turned back towards the kitchen, "A blind, moody, clumsy swan."

"I could have been hurt," he whined as he followed her in the kitchen.

"And yet, you aren't," she stated and then gestured to the stove, "Do you need your eyes checked?"

He looked at the pan and then glared.

"You hid that, didn't you," he hastily sputtered out. She rolled her eyes.

"I did not-"

"It's fine. It's your birthday... I forgive you," he rambled as he opened the fridge, "I'll grab the refreshments."

Shego opened her mouth to argue but sighed and focused her energy on the popcorn.

Drakken straightened the coasters a few more times as he heard Shego pouring the popcorn in a bowl from the kitchen. Mentally chastising himself for not hurrying quicker and choosing to use the restroom after hiding the popcorn. He was a little surprised by the lack of annoyance and argument at him accusing her of hiding said popcorn on him. As he straightened his cup he paused... it was unlike Shego not to argue at being accused.

Is there something wrong-

"Alright, I think I made enough," sighed Shego as she placed a giant bowl on the table and flopped on the couch, "Did you load the movie?"

"Yes," he stated as she fell against him.

"Is it something I like?" asked Shego as she snatched the bowl of popcorn as he reached for it.

"Perhaps," said Drakken as she reached fro the bowl. She held it away from him, "Shego..."

"Admit you didn't even try to find it," she smirked at him. Drakken's brow furrowed, "I'm waiting."

"... I didn't even try," he grumbled under his breath.

"Knew it," she snorted and shoved the bowl on his lap, "So we're you just trying to irritate me earlier or did you simply loose the nerve to try and walk in on me?"

Drakken could tell she was teasing him, but it didn't stop the heat rising in his face. He wanted nothing more than to say something smooth but the failed attempt at a last minute proposal was pushing those thoughts aside. Instead he shifted the topic as casually as he could as he hurriedly pushed play.

"Have you seen my black pajamas?" asked Drakken as Shego leaned closer against him.

He saw the devious smirk spread across her lips before forced a look of mock innocence to replace it.

"Why do you ask?" she hummed.

"Well I noticed my shirt is gone and there was this crazy threat of theft at one point?" stated Drakken.

"It was a promise," said Shego.

"So it was," he snickered, "I was going to wear those."

"So was I," she smirked.

"Well your theft skills need work. You only managed to swipe the top," he rolled his eyes.

"That's all I wanted," there was a smugness to her expression as he raised a brow at her.

Drakken's thoughts went blank as her her hand gently patted his cheek as he processed her words. She had gotten far closer then he had consciously acknowledged. Still a smirk remained on her lips as she looked at him as if waiting for him to say or do something, when his thought came flying back. His words leaving his mouth without fully registering implications.

"I wouldn't have minded that," he said in one speedy breath.

The darkening of her smirk as he arms slid around his neck, made it clear the correct words had been used... even if he hadn't meant to say them. His earlier concerns that had detoured the whole evening visited for a second before he closed the gab between them with an eager kiss. His hands barely found her waist before she had shifted to reside on his lap, the movie forgotten as the kiss deepened. Minutes ticked by as their impromptu make-out began to escalate.

What are you doing?

The excitement faltered as his mind began focusing away from the feel of Shego's skin against his finger, her teeth on his ear, and her fingers making their way through his buttons. That weather machine of chaos living rent free in his brain, flipped on again. He found himself weaving ways to find a distraction or a segway to the topic clearly making itself known. He adjusted himself to scoot impossibly further into the couch, but she followed him and he fought with every fiber of his control not to curse at his thoughts interrupting them, out-loud.

"Shego," he attempted.

Her teeth along his jawline was not helping the focus he was trying to regain.

"Hmm?" she hummed. He felt his fingers dig into her back at the vibration.

"Shego... ohm... wait," he forced out.

Shego pulled back with a confused but playful expression on her face.

"Getting a little to hot in here for you?" she teased. Drakken felt his face flush, "Seriously?"

She sat further back, her brow corked as if waiting.

Drakken sighed in defeat.

"I... I'm... you see," Drakken attempted.

"Spit it out," demanded Shego.

"I might disappoint you," he sputtered out.

There was complete silence save for the sound of the forgotten movie in the background. Shego's expression hadn't changed and the second felt like an eternity. He watched her expression fade to confusion as she tilted her head, her hands falling way from his shirt buttons but making nor further movement.

"Explain," she said firmly.

If he had wanted to crawl into a hole before he said it, her arms crossing as she pinned him to the couch and demanded a more detailed explanation, solidified it. He pulled his hands away from her if only to pick at his own nails and avoid total eye contact with her.

"Ohm... well you see," he swallowed hard, "We might have... different expectations and experiences that might... not be equal."

"Can you just use normal words and not be evasive," sighed Shego, "I'm sure your just being dramatic, ridiculous, and overthinking things so can we get to the point so we can move over this and not completely kill the mood."

Drakken glared for a second and grumbled as she slid off his lap.

"Well if you must know... I'm not exactly a novice to things, just so we're clear," he stated firmly. Shego raised a brow as she leaned against the couch, looking at him, "Just, perhaps... not as much as might be beneficial."

He wanted nothing more than to get up and go to his lab as Shego's eyes widened. He was about to list all of his experiences, to make sure she didn't assume more lacking than he had... but he felt it could cause more questions he didn't exactly want to discuss either. The silence was slowly turning from awkward to annoying and his brow furrowed about to recant when Shego snorted.

"You don't have to make excuses if that's not where your at, relax," sighed Shego as she slid off his lap, "We can just watch the movie."

Drakken stared at Shego as her head fell against his shoulder again and it fell to silence as her hand slid in his. He could easily let it go and chalk this up to a successful conversation in case it came back on him later... but the few seconds of silence only made the thoughts run rapid and intrusive more than they had been. He attempted to stop the leg bouncing or shaking and try and watch the movie, but his mouth was not in agreement with his attempted choice.

"I am not trying to avoid or make excuses," he blurted out, "I show great restraint in how not I- I am not avoiding it."

Shego pulled away to look at him and he felt the eye roll was unnecessary.

"Really?" she asked. "So you're telling me you have some unwarranted insecurity about some manifested expectations I'm supposed to have."

Drakken hesitantly nodded.

"You're an idiot," snickered Shego, "What makes you think I have any grand expectations?"

He felt suddenly uncomfortable and shifted slightly. There was a twisting in his stomach as he asked softly.

"Was that a dig or a joke, because that's cruel even-" he was cut off.

Shego's tossed popcorn at him playfully.

"I'm not making any dig," she scoffed. There was a deep sigh before she fully turned in her seat to look at him, "I meant that I don't have some sort of expectations set if we were to get passed countless interruptions every time the mood seems to be going well."

"Oh," said Drakken. He felt a strange relief before Shego continued.

"Why? Do you?" asked Shego sharply.

"No!" he responded, "I mean... I have thoughts... but no. I don't have... expectations..."

"So what makes you think I would?" she gave him a soft smile that made his chest flutter.

"It's just that... you have far more experience than I do and I didn't want to disappoint," he felt relieved as the words left his lips.

The relief as short lived as Shego's soft smile faded away and she sat up again.

"My what?" she asked calmly.

"Well I haven't chosen to have as many full experiences as you have," he stated. Firmly making sure it was know he hadn't had opportunities and that it was a choice, "And knowing that... Perhaps it did make me a little insecure."

"This has been a cloud over your for a while?" asked asked. Her mannerisms felt off but he continued, chalking it up to awkward.

"It's hadn't occured to me until a few months ago when our little kissy time started getting more touchy than kissy," said Drakken with a slight chuckle.

The chuckle was not returned. He watched her lips purse and she looked at her hands as she spoke.

"So... all your hesitations... are because of what you assume from my past?" asked Shego. Her voice was calm and slow.

He felt suddenly on edge, as if there had been some sort of electric shift in the air. The storm of a weather machine gone wrong, rolling in.

"Well... you have had more- I mean from what I know- compared to," he cut himself off as he watched the sharp movements of her fingers tapping on her knee.

"From what you know?" the tone was sharp as she looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"I mean... you mentioned... in passing... prior conversations," he sat back away from her as she moved closer towards him, "I-I just... well over the years and the weekends out and... before then... I'm not judging-"

"Really?" she glared, "Interesting... so it's not based on personal judgment about your lack compared to my assumed many? That's not judgment based?"

"No! This is about me... I don't care how much experience you may or may not have?" Drakken replied, "Your misunderstanding-"

"What's to miss understand?" snapped Shego, "That you can't move forward in this relationship because I have some imagined list of lovers?"

Drakken glared now.

"That's not even close," he argued, "And we haven't talked about our histories in that resolve so excuse me for assuming that there was more than two over the years."

He knew he'd made the wrong move as she growled under her breath and shifted to on her knee to take a more controlled stance. Her fists balled with slight green hues flickering in the dim light as she retorted.

"Yes, because I was wracking up the numbers while I was in Team Go, dedicating every waking minute to protecting a volatile city," snapped Shego. Her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Not to mention the scandalous depravity of college where the only person I even kissed I spent a majority of college having a secreted monogamous relationship with."

"Okay, I get it-" Drakken was cut off.

"Oh, no. I'm not done. Can't forget the pages of nameless people from when I was starting in villainy and trying to build a reputation as a single minded mercenary and not be associated in the slightest as a Villain Hopper," Shego eyes narrowed to slits, "Let's not forget to astronomical free time I had working for you all these years! I can see where you drew your conclusion there, Doc."

"Shego you are taking this way out of proportion," argued Drakken, "This isn't about you or your past-"

"Yes it is! You have woven some convoluted number of sexual partners I've had based on some cockamamie thoughts you have," snapped Shego, "So much so that the thought of being intimate with me puts you on some comparison list you would feel inferior too."

Drakken stared at her, processing what she was saying in full. He had only thought of that last part, but not the idea that she would find it upsetting. He didn't care about her partners or, as she was aggressively claiming, his imagined perception of her partners... but she was seeing it as exactly that. He looked over her expression, pure anger and disgust, but worse was the complete hurt behind her narrowed eyes. He leaned towards her despite the soft glow he could see in her now crossed arms.

"I didn't want this conversation to go like this," he tried talking calmly but his own emotions were starting to effect his voice, "This was not meant to hurt you."

She stood up off the couch and he did the same.

"Sure. Because being told by the person your with they're putting breaks in your relationship because of your so call past, is real heartwarming," snorted Shego as she turned away from him, "My bad, I mistook what was apparently a sweet sentiment."

"Shego, can you stop being defensive," Drakken sighed as his hand found her shoulder. She pulled away and he felt a wave of frustration, "Nghn! Shego! I wasn't trying to insensate anything!"

She turned around to gesture vaguely in her own frustration to an invisible list he supposed.

"Really? Because your exact words were, 'You have far more experience than me.' Which to anyone listening is a pretty big insinuation with nothing backing your little theory up."

"Well I mean... It was the wrong assumption I gathered... but you're attractive, lively, frequently you'd have vacations and weekends to clubs-" Drakken knew he was digging a deeper hole but his mouth was failing to listen to his brain.

"So because I went out dancing and enjoyed being in a tropical setting... I must be?" snorted Shego, "Wow! You think that little of me... or worse think I think that little of myself? Because yes, I have had countless options and opportunities but I got more thrill robbing some drunken idiot and relaxing in an expensive luxury hotel, alone, on their dime. As you know!"

Drakken vaguely remembered her telling him something similar shortly after they started working together, but hadn't given much thought to her words until now. He watched her posture change and noted the closed off language he had once seen when they had also first met. Her body was leaned away from him and he could tell what she was about to say before her mouth opened.

"I have to go clear my head," she practically whispered as she turned away from him and began walking.

Drakken's shoulder's fell as she opened the sliding glass door. His mind was spinning with things he should say or do... None of which were playing out as helpful as he wanted. Judging by her clear strides through the door, she was most likely too upset to even listen to him. Despite that clear observation, he followed after her. There were no words forming that even he himself could make coherent. The swirl of his own emotions were pushing his actions blindly. There was anger at the situation and how it had all been mangled by misunderstanding. Anger at himself for choosing the wrong words, the worst possible time, and ruining the evening.

You knew you would...

He shook the words away as he found himself blocking Shego's path.

"Shego, please." was all he could say. Shego closed her eyes and took a slow breath.

"I'm going to go before we both say things that will solve nothing," she spoke calmly before she stepped around him.

Drakken nodded in defeat as she hopped on the hoverboard he'd given her. There was a familiar sense of fear and grief swelling inside him as he stood in her way while she switched on the unfamiliar buttons. His jaw moving as he bit his tongue to stop words spilling out in nonsense as the board sprung to life. She was avoiding looking at him as it raised, the color in her cheeks even apparent in the dim light. With a deep sigh he stepped aside so she could go, there was nothing more he could say without making it worse. There was no hesitation as she sped away, and a feeling that he should have known this was always going to end resonated though him. He watched as she vanished swiftly into the night sky.

It was colder than she had originally registered. The mist from the salt water did little to make Shego feel warm as she sat on her hoverboard. The dull humming as it was locked in stealth hover mode was an annoying melodic tone with the slight waves bellow her. With a sigh she pulled her cold bare feet closer as she wrapped her arms around her knees slightly. She didn't know how long she had been idly floating across the water, but she knew instantly it had been a mistake to leave. Not only because it was too cold to walk along a beach and she'd neglected to take the hover car instead, but because she knew she'd let her emotions get the better of her.

Her emotions were a mess, but she knew it wasn't all Drakken's fault. The evening had been a roller coaster of build ups and let downs that was in no ones control but her own. Despite her logical deciphering and knowing Drakken hadn't meant to give the impression she'd ran with... she was still hurt. The assumptions he'd made in truth, she knew didn't matter to him... but it had been an answer to a real concern of her. The fact he shyed away from certain physical actions, how hesitant he'd been to initiate things in the start, the lack of a proposal of some kind given his history... while it was rational to decide it was just Drakken being cautious... building onto the shift that had been they dynamic all these years... but the conversation had thrown reason out for her.

Someone that she had started tearing down her walls and sharing her most intimate darkest secrets with, assuming her past to dictate a future... someone she thought knew her better than herself.

He's still Drakken.

She rolled her eyes. For every moment and word he'd ever said that made her realize just how comfortable she had become around him over the years... was met with something that equally would knock that notion out of her mind.

And you don't?

She crossed her legs and looked at the clouded night sky with a head shake. She knew Drakken well enough that the conversation had in fact been about his insecurities and ego. Understood how he always found the worst words at the best moments and the best words at the worse. She had calmed down enough to realize that her fleeing had done nothing but escalate something that Drakken had intended to be a moment of vulnerability.

The way it had ended had truly had nothing to do with his topic or words.

It had to do with today.

Or, yesterday, judging by where the moon sat. Not even about the lack of how things had panned out. Nothing to really do with a ring or not or even Drakken's word choices.

Well somewhat...

It had to do with this day in general... the high hopes she'd painted it with only putting more weight on a day she normally ignored or avoided. The fact that Drakken had unintentionally tied it to her past had been a blindside of emotions she never wanted to touch on. This had been the first birthday where it should have been normal... simple even... and in truth, looking away from the negatives... the evening had been just that.

She wasn't reclused on an island, not stuck in a lab forgotten, not having to swindle some creep out of cash to escape to a resort... no one out to specifically ruin her evening.

No. Didn't need help there.

Her thoughts began moving down a different line of thought, weaving back into her past. As a member of team go every single one of her birthdays was some villain trying to make her day worse. Targeting her for reasons that she herself still didn't know. Because she was the only girl? Because she had no problem putting them in their place? She never knew and she didn't really care to question it. Working with Drakken over the years had pushed those aside... only for tonight to smack her in the face with it again.

For a second she glared and was about to be angry at Drakken again, but it went away easily.

Even if he had assumed wrongly... neither of them had never discussed it on a relationship level. So, assumptions of what might have happened or who might have happened with weren't exactly a shock. She had really not considered it a factor and she knew Drakken hadn't been trying to back peddle when he said he didn't care. She knew that this was his hang-up and issue born. She grumbled under her breath as she stood up.

"Sure, Drakken actually being the mature one and I freak out," she muttered.

There was a wave of exhaustion as she secured her feet again before clicking the stealth mode off. The night needed to end, and she knew when she got home... Drakken would be up. She went over choices in her head as she began picking up speed across the water. While Drakken might want to prattle on an apology that wasn't needed... or even if he had reached a whiny point and want to argue his point... discussing anything tonight would only end in disaster.

No, it would have to wait... a few days even if she was honest. When neither were on edge or confused on the end to what should have been a pleasant evening. She would dismiss it for them to get sleep and if in a few days she would hint at him to bring it up again... if not doing so herself in a week.

I am not rushing that topic.

She snorted to herself as she rounded the cliff edge.

The only light that was on was Drakken's bedroom and she tilted the board to land on the highest level outside her room. She saw the larger light switch on as she landed and the sliding door of Drakken's room opened quickly.

"You're back," said Drakken.

"Doy," she sighed, "I just needed to go for a flight... I like the stealth mode."

"Oh... oh good," there was a relief to his voice, but she knew it wasn't about the hoverboard.

She felt a tug at her chest at the realization he might have thought she wasn't coming back. There was a slight ticking sound and she realized his hand was fidgeting with his sliding door handle. He was nervous and over thinking. Exactly what she'd assumed and why discussing the topic tonight would end badly. With a heavy sigh she lept back onto the ledge of her window, the flowers moving instantly. Drakken walked towards her hastily.

She held out her hand.

"It's late," she said. Hoping he would simply agree.

"Shego..." he trailed off.

There was an annoyance to his features in the moonlight, which contrasted his softened voice. Clearly, like she had expected, he was hoping to regain the conversation.

"It's fine," cut Shego.

Her voice had sounded a little more stern then she had intended, but needed. Making it clear that she didn't want to broach the topic tonight. He took a step back to his door and she gave him a half smile to try and soften her previous tone as she spoke.

"I'm over it," the tiredness swirled in her breath as she spoke.

"Over it?" he asked, "Over what?"

There was something in his voice she couldn't place... annoyance? Shock?

You are avoiding an argument, I'd be shocked too.

She ignored her own internal joke and continued on.

"All of it. I just want to go back to the way things were and pretend it never happened," she assured him, "We can talk about it later. But for tonight, I just wanted to let you know that I'm moving on."

She couldn't gauge his expressions as she slipped through her window. Drakken simply stood there, his hand gripping the handle of the sliding door and looking where she had been a second ago. His face was unreadable and completely empty of emotion. It was strange to see his normally expressive face almost processing the emotion and herself unable to gauge it fully. Annoyed at the topic end? Relieved at her apology?

He nodded slowly as he turned back towards his room.

"Okay then," he spoke.

She didn't miss how soft his voice had become as he began closing the door.

"Good night then, Shego," the door closed with a click.

"Good night-" she frowned at the closed door but chalked it up to an exhausting night.

She watched as the flowers around her door shifted as she went to close the shutters. They almost seemed equally exhausted as if resonating with Drakken. Peri had slumped in with the others in a clear sign the evening had taken its toll emotionally around the lair.

She closed the window and sighed as she moved towards her bed.

It'll be better tomorrow.

Drakken's face fixated on the door he just closed, curtains pulled close to deny any light from outside. The fabric still moving the only sound besides his breathing as he moved towards his bed. It was almost mechanical that he didn't register even sitting in bed or turning out the lamp.

His mind had already been reeling in his fear that he had ruined everything this evening... but now it was blank. All his preparations for the argument or conversation that might transpire if Shego came back had faded away as she'd spoken. Her declaration there was no conversation to be had was harder to process than it should be. He'd even made preparations of her being gone for a few days... give her space and then call her... or just go pick her up like normal... but not this.

She's over it?

The words were like a sharp knife poking him. A simple conversation he had wanted to have in hopes of not ruining anything... had done just that.

Good to know you still got it there, Drakken.

Sharp echoed words flooded through him at the image of her holding her hand out to stop him nearing. The finality of her voice pushed all his annoyance or anger at the words away to simple pain.

'I just want to go back to the way things were- I'm moving on.'

Her voice was like a shot to the heart he hadn't been expecting. How could she expect him to simply disregard everything and act like normal again? How could she?

You got the answer to how she truly feels.

He found himself watching the ceiling with a familiar twisting in his chest and body he hadn't felt since the first he had met her. A feeling that had driven him to jeopardize their friendship then and he wouldn't do it again. He took a few shaky breaths as he closed his eyes and began shoving the feelings away the best he could. He had mastered burying them for years... he could do that again he was certain.

I have too.

He opened his eyes to see the blurred ceiling as the sharpness of his breath tried to grow. As if confirming what a fool he had ever been to try the first time... but knowing he had no choice but to try and lock his emotions away again. What choice did he have? If Shego is over their relationship, and wanted things to go back the way they had been... He had no choice but to grasp back to the strings of their friendship. Even if it meant swallowing his pride and his pain once again. He would still have her in his life.

Well One Step back BUT-