The sun was beginning to set over the North Carolina wilderness. It was a stunning portrait of unspoiled natural beauty except for the highway and the two damp figures, one blue and one green, walking alongside it.
"Well, it's starting to get cool," Shego said, hugging herself for warmth. "I guess we saved the world."
"Indeed," Drakken said. "Can we stop for a minute? I need a rest."
"Again?" Shego said. "We just took a break two miles back!"
"Okay, so I'm not in the best shape," Drakken admitted as he sat down on a large rock. "I was never very athletic. As a child I was always picked last in gym."
"There's a shocking news flash," Shego muttered.
Drakken gave her a look but didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small notebook and a pen. "Let's see," he said to himself. "The lair was too secluded. The next lair should be closer to a town, just in case I have to jump into the sewers to escape an explosion and get dumped into a river in the middle of nowhere."
"What are you doing?" Shego asked.
"Making note of everything that went wrong with this scheme. That way I won't make the same mistakes next time."
"Next time?" Shego exclaimed. "Your entire operation was destroyed! You're wet and tired and stranded in the woods! How can you be thinking about next time?"
"You can't let a minor setback get in the way of your destiny, Shego," Drakken replied. "If I am to take over the world I have to stay focused. I have to eat, sleep and breathe world domination! But…I can't do it alone." He looked at Shego expectantly.
"Yeah…well, as rewarding as it is being your secretary, Doc, I think it's time for me to move on."
"Actually, I was thinking promotion. I've learned my lesson...no more robots! I need a sidekick who wants to rule the world, not destroy it! And you have proved beyond any doubt you're qualified for the job. So…what do you say?"
Shego looked into Drakken's hopeful eyes. The man had a knack for driving her crazy and almost got her killed. But in the one week she worked for him, she'd seen more action and excitement than she had in her six months as a thief. Working for Drakken would be anything but dull. And he might actually succeed in taking over the world with the right kind of help...
"Shego, think about it," Drakken said, as if reading her mind. "You could go back to being a big fish in a small pond, or you could be a big fish in an Earth-sized pond!"
"Well…" Shego finally said, "I guess I could do it on a trial basis. See how things go."
"That's all I ask," Drakken said cheerfully. "We'll discuss salary and benefits once we settle into a new lair. Maybe someplace in Canada…I've always liked that country. You know, maybe it would be easier to take over the world in pieces instead of all at once. We could start with Canada and work our way East!" He began to scribble furiously in his notebook.
"Whatever you say, Dr. D. At least we won't have to start over from scratch. I…managed to save some stuff." Shego reached into her pocket and pulled out the computer disc with Drakken's blueprints, along with the A.I. chip.
Drakken grinned and took them from her. "Shego, I believe this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship."
The moment was interrupted by the sound of an approaching vehicle. A truck came into view; Shego stepped into the middle of the road and flagged it down.
The driver, a middle-aged farmer, rolled down the window. "Well howdy folks," he said in a country drawl, "what are y'all doing way out here?"
"Long story," Shego replied. "Can you give us a lift?"
"Sure," the farmer said. "But you'll have to ride in the back. "Baby don't like strangers ridin' up front." As if on cue, a large Pit Bull leaned over the man and growled at Drakken and Shego.
Moments later the truck was on its way again with the two extra passengers in the back, crammed rather uncomfortably between bags of cement and farm tools. The air felt even colder slamming against their wet clothes and hair at seventy miles an hour.
"Why don't we play a game to pass the time?" Drakken suggested. "How about, 'Name that Disease?' I'll go first. I'm a distant cousin of the Ebola virus. I am often mistaken for the flu, cause respiratory failure and am fatal in fifty percent of all cases! What am I?"
"Um, how far until the next town?" Shego yelled through the window in the back of the cab.
"Not far," the farmer yelled back. "'Bout fifty, sixty miles."
"Come on, Shego, take a guess!"
Shego groaned inwardly. I doubt I'll last a month at this job, she thought.
Shego knocked on Drakken's office door but didn't wait for a response before opening it. Her boss looked up from his work and frowned.
"Back to taunt me a second time?" He asked coolly.
"I found your gift," Shego said, placing it in front of him. It was a small wooden plaque with the A.I. chip mounted in the center. Right below it was a golden plate with an inscription that read, To my MVP-Happy 5th Anniversary. "I didn't even know you still had the A.I. chip."
"Neither did I," Drakken replied. "I found it a few weeks ago when I was cleaning out the storage room where I keep all of my failed inventions…"
"Yeah, I imagine that room must be getting pretty cluttered," Shego interrupted.
"ANYWAY, I got to thinking of all we've been through since then, and how you've stuck with me despite all of the…setbacks. It's not often you find such loyalty and dedication. I just wanted to show my appreciation."
"Oh I get it…that after school special was on TV again wasn't it? You know what that does to you."
"So what if it was?" Drakken snapped. "Can't we have a moment without you making some wisecrack!? Just this once?"
"Okay, okay, but only because today is a special day," Shego replied. "It's not too late to go out to dinner, if you're still interested."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Wonderful! I'll just go put on my favorite cologne!" Drakken hurried off to his bedroom.
"Okay, I'll go start the car," Shego called after him. She wasn't very hungry, but it didn't matter. Drakken's favorite cologne was foul; it would no doubt get them thrown out of the restaurant, and they'd end up sitting on the curb in front of a mini-mart eating microwave burritos. She would listen to him rant about how when he ruled the world he would shut down that restaurant and send the entire staff to a labor camp, and she would respond with her usual sarcastic wit.
Shego smiled in spite of herself. I guess we do all need somebody, she mused. Mine just happens to be an egomaniacal fruitcake.
And that suited her just fine.
Shego picked up her plaque and exited the office, shutting off the lights behind her.
THE END
a/n: Well, that's it. Hope the ending wasn't too sugary. Thank you all for your wonderful reviews, they are very encouraging! See you next time!