Disclaimer: This story is based upon characters created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney. Since this story is set 20plus years later, all the characters under twenty-five years of age are mine.
That evening, Anne decided to stay home with the Mole Rats. Mom and Dad would be chaperoning the dance. Don, of course, was taking Flo.
That still sounded odd to Anne. Maybe Flo just wanted to help Don out this one time. Yeah, that makes more sense than them in some 'relationship'. Still, Anne thought she'd like someone to do that for her. Even out of pity.
When Flo arrived at the Stoppable house, she was wearing a black halter dress that went down to just above the knee. It looked snug on her, but not tight. Its color accentuated her fair skin. It had a plunging neckline that was rather flattering.
Don was impressed.
The foursome decided to take Dad's car. Kim drove while Flo sat in the front. The men sat in the back.
Dad didn't seem to mind. Don wondered a moment why he wasn't sitting next to his 'date.' Don figured it didn't matter. He got what he wanted, a good friend with him at the dance. It seemed a shame that Anne wasn't going.
Anne wound up watching a collection of 'Fearless Ferret' episodes on disc. It seems that Rufus had allowed his son, Ted to form a 'Wonder Weasel' fan club. Anne rather enjoyed watching the near ancient superhero show. She wished she could fight as well as him. She'd settle for fighting more like Don. Maybe next weekend, she should step in on one of Dad's Kung Fu classes at the agency.
At Middleton High's Gym, the music was upbeat and so were the students. Flo was the hit that Anne predicted. Many were impressed to see Don with an older woman.
A well-built young man walked up to Don with a hot brunette on his arm. He wore slacks, a white shirt open halfway, and a black sport coat. She wore a classic cut, blue velvet dress.
"Where'd you find the Goth princess, Don?" Ken asked.
Don answered, "This is Flo Ming. She works for the agency." Don said to Flo, "This is Ken Flagg and Cindy Mankey."
Flo nodded, "I've heard a lot about you two."
"Good, I hope," laughed Cindy.
"Only the best from Don," Flo smiled.
"That's a great dress," said Cindy.
"So you're a spy babe?" said Ken.
"More or less," Flo admitted.
Don rolled his eyes.
"You know any funky spy moves?" Ken asked anxiously.
Flo looked over at Don, who shrugged slightly. Then glanced around the room. Most everyone was dancing or chatting among themselves. Don's folks were currently watching the punch bowl.
"Sure," she told Ken. Then she winked at Don, glowed softly with an intense pink color and disappeared.
Ken and Cindy gaped at the empty space where she had been.
Don grinned at them and pointed behind the couple.
"Funky enough?" Flo asked from behind them.
Ken and Cindy were startled.
"Whoa." said Ken softly.
They stared as Flo walked back around them to stand by Don.
"Let's dance, Hon," Cindy said as she pulled Ken to the floor.
"I thought you were gonna float a little," Don whispered. "Not freak them out."
"From what Anne has told me, those two could use some freaking," Flo frowned.
"They're not so bad," Don said slowly. "Once you know how to handle them."
"So how did I do?" Flo asked.
"Okay," smiled Don. "Maybe a little freaking won't hurt them."
"Don," some kid with acne tapped his shoulder. "Where's Anne?"
"She stayed home tonight."
"Bummer," said the kid. "See ya," He waved at them both as he walked off.
"Who's that?" Flo asked as they walked over to the snack table.
Don shrugged, "I don't know." He thought a moment, "The problem with popularity is everyone you don't know, knows you at least a little." He politely waved back at someone in the room who had been trying to get his attention.
"These girls are going to start fawning over you in the halls after this, you know," Flo told Don at the punch bowl.
"What for?"
"They figure a guy that can grab a girl my age must have something worth investigating," she smiled coyly.
"I suppose," said Don. "I grew tired of that mentality a while ago."
"Is that why I'm here?" Flo joked.
"I guess," Don said frankly.
"Care to dance?" asked Flo.
"Sure," Don smiled as they stepped out onto the floor.
-
"This is just surreal," Kim mused as she watched her son dance with Flo.
"I know she's older, Hon," said Ron. "But Don isn't your average seventeen-year-old."
"Actually, that's not what I meant," Kim said before realizing she was saying too much.
"What, then?"
Kim balked. She hoped Flo would understand that a marriage is best without secrets. "You might agree if you knew who her birth parents are."
"Oh?" Ron was suddenly quite curious.
"Later, Dear," Kim put a finger on his lips tenderly. "When you are sitting down."
-
Bopper sat in a corner quietly. She wore a long black wig and a simple, long green dress without jewelry and only sparse makeup. She felt like a naked sheep. She wasn't thinking about that much though after she saw Don and Flo dancing.
She knew she was on to something when the music switched to a slow song. The couple stayed on the floor and danced slowly and tenderly. Not closely, but there was definitely a spark between them.
Bopper took a phone out of her purse and hit speed dial. "Drakky. Are you sitting down?" She whispered. "Well, sit down." She looked again at the couple who were looking into each other's eyes as they swayed, "You are not going to believe this."
After a pleasant dance, the Stoppables and guest went home.
When they reached their porch, Flo sat on their bench saying, "I think I'll take in some night air a little while."
Don said, "That sounds nice," and sat with her.
Ron said, "Cinnamon Nachos should be ready in ten," as he walked in the front door.
Kim just looked at Flo a moment. She went in only after Flo scooted a few inches further from Don.
The two women exchanged a small smile before Kim disappeared.
Don took an inhaler out if his pocket and shook it. Then put it to his lips and breathed in a dose of the medication.
"Feeling an attack coming?" asked Flo.
"There's a cold front coming through," he smiled. "This has been fun."
"Real fun," agreed Flo.
They sat a few moments, looking at the sky and each other.
Flo gave Don a concerning look, "I think you need to know something, Don."
"All right," Don turned a little toward her.
She took a breath, "You might have wondered why Shego sends me post cards."
Don shrugged, "I heard about your mission in Go City. I figured you and she... I don't know... bonded or something."
"Yeah," Flo looked at the stars a second. "I guess we did." She looked back at Don, "There's more to it, though."
Don waited for her to continue.
Finally, she looked down at her own feet, leaning forward, elbows in her lap, "She's my birth mother."
Don looked at Flo sitting there. She was obviously feeling pitiful. He was actually more concerned about her apparent sadness as he slowly digested this news. "I take it not many people know about this."
She lifted her head only slightly, "Your mom and Dr. Load were there when I ran the DNA. Of course, I told my folks."
"Must have been heavy news," he placed a hand on her upper back, trying to show support.
"Yeah," she choked a little. She sat up again and took slower breaths.
"So," Don moved his hand to the back of the bench. "Is Ed your father?" He backpedaled, "The natural one, I mean."
"No," she only glanced at him, before she cast her eyes down again. "That would be Drakken."
Don felt like a wet towel had hit him. All his life, 'Motor Ed and Shego' were a set. Like evil peanut butter and jelly. 'Shego and Drakken' sounded more like peanut butter and ketchup. He giggled at the concept.
Flo was surprised at this.
"Shego and Drakken?" he laughed softly as he put his hands together, symbolizing a union.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry," he calmed somewhat. "I just can't picture those two hooking up."
She made a little smile at him, "They did." She looked down at Don's knees, "And I'm here because of it." The smile was long gone.
Don put one finger under her chin and gently lifted. "I must remember to thank them." He kissed her.
It was a simple, gentle meeting of lips.
Flo enjoyed its tenderness. She held it until she wanted more, then she quickly pulled away. "I wouldn't mention it to Shego, actually."
"How come?"
"Well," Flo surprised herself by actually smiling at the memory. "When Drakken admitted to being my father, she called him a liar."
"Was he lying?"
"No, I checked." She nodded, "It's him."
"Whoa." Don leaned back on the bench, "What did you say?"
Flo bit her own lip, "Um, I fainted."
"Oh, you poor thing!" he hugged her, giggling softly.
She hugged back. Happy at his mirth. She had feared many possible reactions, none of them like this.
"Um," Don broke their embrace and looked into her eyes. Their noses were almost touching. He whispered, "Did you plan on telling Anne?"
Flo gasped. He was enjoying this! "You want to see her reaction."
"Oh, yeah!" he whispered.
She narrowed her eyes at him coyly, "Let's go."
.