Chapter 6

Two hours later, Shego was still working out. Ron had long since gone home, saying just listening to it made him tired.

Kim decided it was time to check on her. She got a bottle of Gatorade from the fridge, and went downstairs.

Shego was standing in front of the large, sand-filled punching bag, throwing kicks and chops at it. She was wearing gym shorts and a tee-shirt, both of which were plastered to her body from sweat. Her hair was matted and hung in tangles, while sweat poured down her face.

Kim stepped nearer, and Shego caught sight of her. Kim offered the bottle, and Shego stepped back from the punching bag. She took the bottle and downed it in one long drink.

"Thanks..." she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Are you okay?" asked Kim.

Shego tossed the empty bottle into the trash. "Suuure, I'm fiiiine. Why wouldn't I be? I've only just been told I have no chance of seeing my next birthday. But as you say, no big."

She sat down on a bench, and wiped her face with a towel. "Let me guess why you're here. You want to tell me the tests are done and my fate is sealed, so I need to get out and die in the gutter where I belong."

"So not," said Kim, eyes widening.

"Well, don't worry, I'll be gone tomorrow," said Shego.

"Mom wants you to stay," said Kim.

"I guess she would. Another lab rat for science," replied Shego, tossing down the towel.

"I... I want you to stay too," said Kim, looking down.

"Of course you do. You want to watch your greatest enemy wither away to nothing," said Shego, with both anger and bitterness.

"That's not..." said Kim.

"I am going to have one victory over you. I'm going to deny you that pleasure," said Shego.

"But-" said Kim.

"Who would have thought? The great 'I-can-do-anything' Kim Possible not only gets the last laugh over Shego, she wants to watch her slowly die," interrupted the older girl, "That's worthy of me."

"That. is. so. not. true." said Kim, forcefully.

"Then what is the truth? What do you want?" asked Shego, and once again, Kim thought she saw tears. "I know perfectly well how much you hate me."

"I have never hated you. You've made me angry. You've scared me. Heck, a few times you've even made me laugh. But I never hated you. I fought you because you were doing something evil. That's the only reason," said Kim.

Shego made no answer, but sat still, listening.

"Remember the few times we fought together? Didn't you ever notice how well we worked together without even thinking about it?" asked Kim.

Shego nodded.

"I've always thought that if we weren't on opposite sides, we would make an incredible team," continued Kim. "I guess it's too late for that, now. But look at me, and listen."

Shego turned her head, and Kim caught a glimpse of emerald eyes looking at her between strands of thick, black hair.

"I want to help you. I want to be there for you. You don't have to go through this alone, and I don't want you to. And if you've truely given up evil, I want to be your friend," said Kim, quietly.

Shego looked down, but said nothing.

Kim stood and looked at her for fifteen or twenty seconds, but there was no response. With a sigh, Kim turned to go back upstairs. Quick as a striking snake, Shego's hand lashed out and grabbed Kim by the forearm.

"I- I'm scared, Kim," said Shego, "No, I'm terrified. I've wiggled out of some really tight spots in my day, but there's no avoiding this. I don't want to be in pain. I don't want to die."

She let go of Kim, and hugged herself. "And I don't want to be alone."

Kim turned and took Shego's hands, pulling her to stand up. Despite Shego's sweat-drenched clothes and body, Kim hugged her, tightly.

"You won't be alone," Kim murmurred softly, "I promise."

For the first time in years, Shego cried.

It took her some time to calm down, and Kim finally released the other girl from the comforting hug.

"You need a shower," said Kim, "And now, so do I."

"Thanks for the reminder," said Shego, an annoyed look on her face.

Kim turned toward the stairs.

"Kim... I... don't..." said Shego.

Kim turned just in time to see her eyes roll up, and her body go limp. Kim just managed to catch her before her head hit the floor.

"MOM!" screamed Kim, "HELP! NOW!"

Five seconds later, Mrs. Possible appeared. "What is... oh. I've been expecting this," she said coming over and kneeling beside Kim.

Jim and Tim came in. "What's going on?" asked Jim.

"We heard Kim yell," said Tim.

"Boys, go get my medical bag," said Mrs. Possible, "Quickly!"

"Okay, Mom," said the twins, and were gone. They were back in less than fifteen seconds.

A brief examination later, Mrs. Possible said, "She'll recover. Let's get her to bed."

"What happened, Mom?" asked Kim.

"As the cancer advances, she gets weaker. She'll be having good days and bad days from now on, and the bad days will get longer as time passes. Actually, I'm surprised it hasn't happened long before now. I guess it's because of her genetics, or that she keeps herself so fit," said Mrs. Possible, lifting Shego with Kim's help.

Kim pondered as they took Shego back to the guest room, and laid her down on the bed. They covered her with the blankets, and Mrs. Possible left. Kim stood and looked down on her former enemy for a few minutes. Shego seemed to be breathing okay.

Kim turned to leave when a voice stopped her.

"Kim..." said Shego.

"I'm here," was the reply.

"Now's your big chance," said Shego, barely above a whisper.

Kim looked puzzled. "Big chance for what?"

"Revenge. I'm so weak, talking is an effort. You can do whatever you want to me, and I can't even yell for help," was the answer, emerald green eyes staring at the teen heroine.

"I'm not wired that way, and you know it," said Kim.

"Not taking advantage of an enemy's weakness is foolish," said Shego, her eyes never leaving Kim's.

"That's true," said Kim. She reached toward Shego, and the pale girl flinched. But Kim merely brushed the black hair away from Shego's face. "But you aren't an enemy."

Shego's face was unreadable.

"Get some sleep. I'll check on you later," said Kim, and went to the door. She glanced back, and saw Shego had closed her eyes.

Kim went back to her room, and grabbed the Kimmunicator.

"Hi, Kim, what's up?" asked Wade.

"I need you to do something for me," answered Kim.

"Sure," was the reply, Wade's fingers over the keyboard, waiting.

"I want you to put a notice on the website that Team Possible is unavailable until further notice," said Kim.

Wade's jaw dropped. "Are-are you sure?" he asked, eyes wide.

Kim nodded. "Very. This sitch with Shego is going to take precedence."

Wade shrugged. "It's your call..." he said, typing.

"Thank you," said Kim.

Wade looked at her. "About Shego. If there is anything I can do..."

Kim smiled. "Thanks, Wade. I'll keep in touch."

Wade signed off, and Kim sighed. "Well, that's some pressure off..." she said.