Chapter 7

A month passed slowly.

Gradually, Shego dropped her guard around Kim and her family, even going so far as to cooperate with the Tweebs when they wanted to do some tests on her powers.

She saw Ron having trouble with homework, and tutored him. Being still a bit afraid of Shego, Ron paid more attention to what he was being shown, and actually started to understand and be able to do it by himself.

When she thought no one was looking, she played with Rufus.

When bad days came along, she lay in bed. Kim kept her company, and they talked for hours. Shego had Kim in hysterics, telling her about some of Drakken's wilder plans for world conquest she had spiked before they got off the ground.

In her turn, Kim told Shego about her life and problems, particularly Bonnie.

"You do realize you're hurting the cheer squad," said Shego.

"What do you mean?" asked Kim, puzzled.

"Do you consider Bonnie to be a good cheerleader?" asked Shego.

"Yes, she's one of the very best," answered Kim, "When she puts her mind to it."

"Then why don't you listen to her when she has a suggestion? Is it because it's a bad suggestion, or because it's Bonnie making it?" questioned the older girl, and took a drink of water.

"Well, it's..." said Kim, and stopped, suddenly unsure of herself.

"Do you listen when other cheerleaders have an idea?" said Shego.

"That rarely happens," said Kim.

"Beside the point. Do you listen, and put it to use if it's good?" asked Shego, relentlessly.

"Well... yeah, I do..." said Kim.

"Then why are Bonnie's ideas any different?" Shego cocked her head at Kim.

"It's the way she makes them," said Kim, defensively, "Like they are soooo obvious to everyone but me."

"In other words, a personality clash," said Shego.

"I... I guess..." said Kim, thoughtfully.

"Then next time, try swallowing that 'I-can-do-anything' pride, and listen to her. Just because you can do anything, doesn't mean you have to do everything. Others can be competent too," said Shego.

"I know, I know, it's just..." started Kim.

Shego narrowed her eyes at Kim, cutting her off. "Think about it."

Kim fell silent and looked down, thinking. They sat still for several minutes. Finally, Kim looked at her.

"You're right. I AM hurting the squad. I'll apologize tomorrow..." said Kim.

"Up pup pup! I didn't say 'apologize', I said 'listen to her'," said Shego, with an evil grin, "It will freak her out more if you just start doing it."

Kim grinned back. "You ARE evil," she said.

"I do what I can," said Shego.

"Thanks," said Kim. She reached over and put her hand on top of Shego's.

"Sure. Any more world-shaking problems I can solve for you?" asked Shego. She took Kim's hand in her own.

They looked at each other, and at that moment realized they had become friends.

kpkpkp

When Shego felt good, she and Kim spent time exercising, training, and sparring. They managed to get Ron involved, and he did pick up some of it.

Shego landed hard in the sand, where Kim had just kicked her. They were in the Possible back yard, where a training ground of sorts had been prepared. Kim stepped over and offered her a hand. It was accepted, and they went over to the bench.

"Well, I never would have believed it, but now I do," said Shego, sitting down and wiping her face with a towel.

"What's that?" asked Kim, taking a drink of Gatorade.

"We fought each other for years. I'm a little stronger than you, and you're a little faster than me. But in martial arts knowledge, skills, and technique, we're even. I have the advantage of my glow, and yet somehow you still manage to either beat me, or fight me to a standstill, where I have to withdraw. I've always wondered why, and now I know. Your edge is your cheerleading skills. You can do moves no master ever dreamed of." Shego smiled. "It's too bad I just learned this. I could have compensated had I known before."

"You knew I was a cheerleader," said Kim, wiping her face.

"Yeah, but it never occurred to me to connect that with your fighting," said Shego.

"Can't think of everything, I guess," said Kim, "Another round?"

Shego hesitated. She started to get up, then sat back down. "I want to, but..."

"That's fine. Let's go in. I bet lunch is ready by now," said Kim. She turned and walked toward the house. She had deliberately not mentioned Shego's sudden weakness, nor offered to help. She respected her friend's desire to be as independent as she could be, for as long as she could be.

kpkpkp

After clean up and lunch, they went to Kim's room and sat down at a small table. Shego had been teaching Kim chess for the last week, and Kim was fascinated with the game.

"Okay, the current tally is... me, eighteen games, you none, one draw. Ready to get your butt kicked again?" said Shego, with a feral smile.

"You just wait," said Kim, "I'll be king of this game yet."

Shego got a sour look. "Bad puns like that don't win games. Do it again, and I'll crown you."

"When did we switch to checkers?" asked Kim, with an innocent look.

Shego chased her down the stairs, and out the front door.

kpkpkp

Several days later, Mrs. Possible came in from work, and sought out Shego. She found her, Ron, Kim, and Rufus watching TV.

"Shego, I have some good news for you," she said.

The TV was instantly off, and all eyes were on the doctor.

"The latest results came back today, and the cancer has slowed down its rate of spread. If this trend holds up, you might go into remission next month. That's a very big 'if', though." she said.

"Thanks," said Shego.

"Any idea why, Mrs. Dr. P?" asked Ron.

Mrs. Possible shook her head. "Not a clue. But it is encouraging. Shego, I wish you'd change your mind about some of the therapies we've offered."

Shego shook her head. "Sorry, Doc, that's not for me."

"How is the pain?" she asked.

"Tolerable," Shego replied, and at Mrs. Possible's look, added, "Yes, I'm taking the pain pills when I need them."

"Good. Don't be hard headed about it. You don't have to prove anything to me, or anybody else," said Mrs. Possible.

"I know, I know," said Shego. Then she looked at Kim, Ron, and Mrs. Possible. "It's just that... I've been so independent for so long... accepting help is difficult. Especially from people who used to be my enemies."

"We understand, Shego, and we're trying to accomodate your feelings. But I AM your doctor, and you WILL do what I say," said Mrs. Possible.

Shego got an angry look, and said "Don't tell me what to-" she bit off the rest. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I'm doing my best to cooperate, but it's so hard. The idea of people caring about me for reasons other than my abilities is strange to me, like I can't quite believe it."

"Don't worry about it," said Kim, and squeezed her shoulder gently. "We are your friends, and we're here for you."

"Thanks, Kim. I hope I'll be able to show my gratitude someday," was the answer.