Chapter 5

A week later, Mrs. Possible came home early from the hospital. She found Kim and Shego in the living room, playing backgammon. Ron and Rufus were watching the TV. She cleared her throat, and they glanced at her before returning to the game.

"Hi, Mom," said Kim, making a play.

"I need to interrupt for a few minutes," said Mrs. Possible.

The game was instantly abandoned, and all eyes turned to her. Ron turned off the TV.

"Shego, here's that itemized statement you wanted," said Mrs. Possible, handing her several sheets of paper.

Shego quickly read through them, then glanced at the bottom line. Without blinking, she pulled a checkbook from her back pocket, and wrote out a check for that amount. She ripped it out, and handed it to Kim's mom.

Mrs. Possible folded it and put it away without looking at it. "Did you really want to do that?" she asked.

"I told you I wouldn't be a charity case. I have money, and not much to spend it on," was the reply.

"Money from where?" asked Kim.

Shego glanced at her. "It's not stolen, if that's what you mean. I made several careful investments that have paid off."

Kim nodded. "As long as it's legitimate," she said.

"Thank you," said Mrs. Possible. "Now, as to the other subject..." she paused, looking at her daughter. "Kim, would you and Ron please leave the room for a few minutes?"

"No," said Shego, "I want them both to hear."

"Okay, then," said Mrs. Possible, "Your doctor was right, even to the estimated time you have left." She looked down. "There's nothing to be done, other than controlling the pain. I'm sorry."

Shego gazed into Mrs. Possible's eyes for a long moment, then nodded. She stood up and left the room. A few seconds later, they heard the sound of the door to the basement open and close.

"Should we go after her?" asked Ron.

"I'd wait a while, then go check," said Mrs. Possible, "She needs a little time."

"What's going to happen now?" asked Kim.

Mrs. Possible hesitated, then said, "I'd like to have her stay. She shouldn't be by herself for very long. Do you object, Kim?"

"No," she said, and turned to her best friend, "Ron, you were right. Helping Shego is the right thing to do."

"Yeah. Even though it's Shego, it still felt right," he answered. Rufus nodded, and made a noise of agreement.

Mrs. Possible came over and hugged her daughter. "I'm very proud of both of you. She's your enemy, but you opened your hearts to her anyway. It takes a very good person to do that."

"No big, Mom," said Kim, and Ron blushed.

For a minute they listened to the sounds of Shego working out, faint but clear.

"Is it just me, or has she changed a lot?" asked Ron.

Kim nodded. "I think she's changed too," she said.

"Well, it's understandable, considering what she's having to cope with," said Mrs. Possible, "There are many documented cases where someone who goes through major surgery has a personality change."

"And in this case, it seems to be for the better," added Kim.

"Well, I don't know her like you two do, but she's been nice to me," said Mrs. Possible.

"The only thing is..." said Kim, hesitating for a moment, "I looked into her eyes when she first came here. They were so dark, and empty. They used to be filled with fire. It breaks my heart to know nothing can be done for her."

"Mine too," said Ron, and Rufus made a noise of agreement.

Mrs. Possible went off to another room, while Kim and Ron turned on the TV again. The sounds of Shego working out continued non-stop.