Chapter XI: Shego's Dilemma

Somewhere in Upperton

After Midnight.

Shego was starting to hate the machine named Seraphim. For some reason, the windows started to blacken as if the car did not want her to know where it was taking her.

The battle earlier shocked her. She was almost killed by what the Wraith had called a Range Hunter. And how did the Wraith know about it? What was the connection between the Wraith and the robot?

Shego sighed in exasperation and leaned on the seat, which slowly reclined to give her comfort.

"Thanks," she said. "You don't happen to know anything about that thing that attacked me?" she asked not really expecting an answer and was not surprised that she was not given one. "Figures. Are we there yet?"

For an answer, Seraphim suddenly slowed down. Shego smirked as she realized that they must be nearing their destination. From the sound, Shego assumed that there was a gate that opened and Seraphim resumed on moving but slower this time.

After a few moments, Seraphim stopped and released the seatbelts. The doors unlocked themselves and opened for her. Shego sighed in relief as she exited the car and stretched her back.

"I needed that," Shego sighed in pleasure. "No offence Seraph, you smell heavenly but I can't stand not knowing where I was going." Seraphim gave a low rumble with his engine and shut him self off. "What now?"

Welcome to the Haven, a nice voice that was strangely familiar to her said. It was pleasant and feminine, like the 'Sanctum' was created for a man.

And if she thought about it, it probably was.

Please follow the lights towards the elevator," the voice kindly said as a pathway illuminated to show Shego towards the elevator.

"Can you be a little less uptight than that?" Shego asked as she followed the path.

I was just being nice, the voice said in an exasperated tone. And in that tone, Shego felt that she really knew the voice from somewhere before.

"You sounded like a recording with that earlier tone," Shego said as she entered the elevator.

I was programmed to do that whenever a guest, as rare as it happens, enter the Sanctum, the voice said crossly. The way the voice talked was also familiar. Shego felt like she was talking to herself.

"Programmed?" Shego frowned. "You're not some kind of sentient A.I. or something like that?"

A.I.? There is nothing artificial about me! the voice said in indignation. Okay, it relented. Maybe initially I was something like those inferior A.I.s but I had grown.

"Grown into what?" Shego asked as the elevator moved.

Never mind, the voice sighed. The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Be careful.

"Thanks," Shego said, looking into the darkened room. "What is this place?"

Haven, immediately, the lights opened and illuminated a loft-type apartment that made Shego strangely feel at home. It was quite lovely, even for her.

The loft had a yuppie air to it as if, and Shego did not doubt, a man owned it. Yet it also had the sense of comfort one sought in a home. In its black, white and silver motif, Shego smirked as she felt like she could just relax and forget about the world.

And she was sorely tempted to do so.

"Nice digs," Shego said as she looked around.

Thanks, the voice said. I try to maintain it as often as possible. Shego smirked at this. With a computer like her, who needs chores? And then, a thought entered her mind.

"You sound advanced," she said. "I'll bet that you have a holo-projector or something."

Something like that, the voice was suddenly meek. To Shego, it was like the computer was shy and blushing.

"So? Let's see," Shego said in anticipation.

I don't think that is wise, the voice said carefully.

"Oh, come on! I don't think it's that bad," Shego almost pleaded.

Very well, the voice sighed. Suddenly, an image appeared in front of Shego and it was so real she could almost touch her.

But what shocked her was not that the image looked real with the latest of club banana on her person. With her shiny black hair braided singly and her emerald eyes and fair complexion, Shego realized why the voice was so familiar.

Shego was looking at her image from four years ago.

Middleton Hospital

Ron's Room

Meanwhile

Vincent sighed as he slumped on one of the chairs in Ron's room. After his 'procedure' Ron had been bandaged including his eyes and sent to I.C.U. Even though it was after midnight, Vincent had crept into the room just to make sure that Ron was well.

Or at least as well as he could manage.

Ron was still recovering from the attack he had though not one of the doctors had any clue as to what was the cause of the attack. But Vincent knew, or at least suspected.

"Mr. Credible?" Felix Renton's voice made him cringe. He was about to relax when his new employee's voice came. Touching his watch, Vincent took a deep breath and sighed.

"Go ahead," he whispered lest to be noticed.

"I finished analyzing the Range Hunter's… um… debris. Are you sure you need me for this? I'm sure Wade could help you."

"I trust my own," Vincent said coldly. "And I don't trust him."

"If you say so," Felix's voice was unsure. Why would this man distrust his friend? "Anyway, I had it moved immediately to the Clean Room." The Clean Room was a well-protected storage room where certain dangerous items were kept for safety.

"Found the nanobots?" Vincent asked.

"Something like that," Felix said. "Someone attempted to modify the existing design."

"Attempted?" Vincent raised an eyebrow.

"Well, to tell you the truth Doc, it looked like a child designed the additions and failed." Vincent laughed at the report but let Felix continue. "These nanobots were nowhere near the superior design of the nanoprobes but from the original, these bots were deadlier."

"Are you okay?" Vincent asked.

"Sure," Felix said. "These bots were inactive. I think the cannon was responsible in giving enough energy to activate the bots. I sent a quarantine team at the site to scan and eliminate or trap the bots. The process of sanitization will take the remainder of… well, it would be finished soon."

"Well done, Felix," Vincent smiled. "I think you need to rest."

"In a moment, Doc," Felix said. "But a while ago, something strange popped up in the computer. It looked like vital signs…"

"I'll explain later," Vincent promised. "Any word from Seraphim?"

"Um, he's in a place called Haven."

"Very well," Vincent sighed. "Better get that rest. There's no telling when we'd get enough in the next days."

"Doctor, heal thy self," Felix said in an amused voice. "Goodnight Doc," and with a smile, Vincent turned off his link.

"Indeed," Vincent sighed as he looked at Ron. "You'll be okay, kid. When you wake up you'll be scared but you won't be alone." Vincent got up from his chair and quietly left the room. And when he closed the door behind him, he leaned on it as if the burden he carried had gotten heavier. Slowly, he made his way towards Mrs. Dr. Possible's office where he knew the two female Possibles were resting.

When he reached the door, he paused. From the door he listened for any activity inside and was relieved that he heard the slow, restful breaths of the two ladies. He didn't want to answer any questions, not yet at least.

And it was going to be hard to explain something that the government would deny to acknowledge any part of their involvement to create something as lethal as the nanobots. When he thought of it, it was not hard. Just inconvenient.

If he explained about the nanobots then he would have to explain how he knew about it and then he would have to explain to Kim who he was.

He knew he would have to explain sooner or later but he wanted her to hear it first.

Vincent opened the door the get a better bearing on what was going on inside. When he was sure that both were safe and sleeping, he quietly closed the door and walked away.

The truth would not set him free. It would probably get the people he cared about in more danger than they were.

Vincent left the hospital and carefully made his way towards an abandoned building strangely at the other side of the street. It was a four-floor factory building that was abandoned in the 50's. It was scheduled to be demolished three years ago but the new owner saved it from destruction.

All of the windows were boarded up so no intruders could enter. But what the outside did not know that behind the boards was five-inch thick super-alloy that even the government was not aware off. Not only did it keep unwanted visitors out but it also kept the sound to a minimal.

Vincent, after making sure that no one saw him, walked towards the back of the building where he came upon a brick wall. Feeling the wall, he smirked when he found a false set of bricks and opened it revealing a digital palm print reader, which he placed his hand on. Immediately, part of the wall parted revealing a freight elevator which he entered.

The elevator automatically moved following its prearranged programming. And when he reached his destination, the elevator doors opened. And when they did, for the first time in years, Vincent was taken back at the formidable presence that greeted him.

… …

Haven At the same Moment

"HOW COULD YOU?" Shego shouted as the elevator doors opened. The Haven's hologram announced earlier that the person responsible for the A.I.'s image was on his way up. Shego stood in front of the elevator and waited. And when the doors opened, she had let her wrath loose.

"How could I what?" the occupant asked in good nature. To Shego it seemed that she had surprised him and he was doing everything possible not to show it.

"How could you use my image for your computer?" she asked, glaring at him. The occupant sighed and smirked.

"It seemed that you have me Sheila," he said. "And I didn't choose an image for her, she did."

"Sheila?" Shego looked at the hologram that was looking away sheepishly.

"Sentient Holographic Entity Intelligent Link Avatar, it's weird, I know. Sheila hates it but loves the name Sheila," he said as he stepped inside the Haven.

"And I chose this image because it was the only thing that Vincent," Sheila nodded to him, "held dear."

"You held me dear?" Shego turned towards Vincent in question. "Since when?"

"Since I helped you with your locker four years ago," Vincent sighed as he took Shego's hand and gently dragged her towards the living area. Oddly, she let him lead her and didn't have any qualms about it. "Please, have a seat."

"Then it is you," Shego said in wonder as she sat. "I have suspected but…" For some reason, tears were threatening to fall from her face. "You've changed."

"So have you," he said as he leaned on one of the couches. "You've been a bad girl, Shego."

"Yeah, well. Being a superhero became rather tiresome," she said.

"Especially when they take you for granted," Vincent smiled making Shego's face heat up. What was with him that made her feel that way?

"You didn't," she said softly. "You know, even though our time together was short, you made me feel more that I was."

"You're a treasure, you know that?" he said. Vincent went over and kisses her cheek.

"What was that for?" Shego asked incredulously.

"He wanted to do that for a long time," Sheila said as she sat beside Shego. However, she felt something in the avatar's voice. Jealousy?

"Don't be jealous, Sheila," Vincent smiled as he stroked the avatar's hair. "And thank you. I didn't realize until now that you cared for me."

"You could touch her?" Shego asked.

"The holo emitters turn image into matter. She could kick my butt it she wanted to," Vincent sighed as she sat on the couch in front of them.

"Why am I here?" Shego asked making Vincent smirk.

"In short I wanted to convince you that a life of crime with Dr. Drakken is not for you," Vincent said smiling.

"And what's the alternative? You?" she said sarcastically. But when she looked at Sheila and Vincent, she knew that they were serious. "You're kidding me!"

"At least we're not incompetent," Sheila said making her smirk.

"Are you suggesting that I take up a life of crime with you?" Shego scoffed. "You don't strike me as a person who would commit a crime."

"Probably," Vincent said with a small smile.

"You're not suggesting that I switch sides now, do you?" Shego was annoyed for him to even suggest it.

"If you join us, maybe you could convince me to switch sides, again," he said.

"Again?" Shego was confused. Was he a criminal before?

"Later, right now, you must rest. Sheila, she could use my room. Goodnight, and pleasant dreams. You too Sheila," with that he walked out of the room.

"I can't dream," Sheila sighed as she took Shego's hand and led her to the room.

"Was he serious? He would change sides for me?" Shego asked not really believing anyone would do that for her.

"He would go to the depths of hell for you," Sheila said as she looked at the woman intently.

Pondering on it, Shego wished that it would be that easy to switch sides.

Strangely, because it was Vincent, she was considering his offer.

/End of 9/

Next: Ron felt helpless as he tried to get by without his sight while Kim tries desperately to help her friend

Chapter X: Ron's Despair