Disclaimer: This story is based upon characters created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney. If you recognize the characters, they aren't mine. I will never make any money from this.

Days later, Ed was knocking in a door with his Chinese friend just behind him. He leveled his weapon at the young Malaysian he found within, "Where's Kanojo Yuke?"

"No such girl, Gaijin-san," the young man was sweating as he stared at the barrel.

"Do not lie to Ed-san," Tzu Ma scolded the youth. "We know she was here."

Before the man could respond, they heard something in the next room. Ed quickly moved to the far door and opened it. He found small room with sparse, cheap furniture and a gaping whole in one wall.

Ed ran to look out into the breezy street as the sunset cast an orange hue on all. He could see a longhaired woman running down the street below.

"Shego!" Ed called out.

She did not stop.

Ed grabbed a nearby clothesline someone had tied to a balcony jutting out from the next apartment and swung down. He made a Tarzan yell as he went, though his friends and family would say it sounded like his air guitar.

He managed to land without harm in front of the running woman. "I just want to help, Babe!"

She crouched into a fighting stance, "Just leave me alone!"

"We've been worried about you, Shego."

The pale woman eyed him carefully, "You mistake me for someone else. Go back to your fantasies."

"Not until I know you are okay."

"Your concern for a stranger is touching, but wasted."

"Love at first sight, Babe, " he smiled. "You said to keep walking, and I will. Right behind you the whole way."

Her jaw dropped, "You have got to be kidding!"

"I don't joke about romance, Babe." He winked at her.

"Now, you're scaring me," she stood up straight and turned to walk back down the alley. "Well, Goodbye, Ed. I hope you find this 'She Gah'."

A wide smile appeared on his face, "Funny how you mispronounce your own name, yet you know mine without my saying it."

She froze a moment. Then she bowed her head forward and slapped her own forehead with the heel of her hand.

She turned to face him again. "Fine," she spat. "It's me. Happy now?"

"Very much," he grinned. "Like I said, we've been worried about you."

"Well, I'm fine!" She made a shooing motion with her hands, "Now go away."

"Awfully long vacation, Shego," he ignored her plea. "What's it been? Two years?"

"Call it a leave of absence, then!" she groaned.

"So you are gonna work for Drew again?"

"I was kidding!" She yelled. "I'm not going back there!"

"It's just as well. Drew's in prison."

"Figures," She turned away again. "He can't do a thing without me."

She walked, Ed followed.

"I told you to go away," she snapped.

"I've missed you."

She stopped walking and spun on one heel, until she was glaring at up him. "Big hairy deal."

He looked down into her eyes, "Why'd you leave?"

Ed thought he saw something strange in her eyes. It might have been fear.

She turned away and started walking, more quickly this time. "None of your darn business."

"Shego, I just want to help you. Seriously." He reached after her, easily matching her pace.

"Then go away," she said forcefully.

"No," his voice matched her tone.

She half-turned without breaking stride. She aimed one glowing hand at him and blasted him squarely in the ribs.

He was knocked back into a dumpster, where he immediately sat up again and played his air guitar, "Gree-een Maa-gic!"

Shego rolled her eyes as Ed scrambled over to walk next to her.

"I know you don't like hiding, Shego. Let me help you."

"Oh, you know me so well!" She waved her hands around. "After what? One lousy caper with a wheelchair?"

"There was that picnic," he offered hopefully.

"Fine, and one Drakken annual picnic." She circled one finger in the air, "Woo hoo."

Ed scratched his mullet as they walked, "Then I guess I'm wrong." He stared down at her, "You really like to hide away from the world. You seriously don't want the glory and the glamour you got as a villainess." Then he looked down at her fiercely, "But if I'm not wrong, and I'm right. Then you need a hand getting back on your feet."

Shego glared back at Ed with eyes as hard as steel and greener than her skin had been before. Then she sighed and dropped her head slightly. "Okay, what do you have in mind?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm.

He grinned, "You hungry?"

They found a little sushi place closer to the tourist part of town.

"How can anybody get full on these tiny things?" Ed asked as he scooped up a roll of rice and seaweed.

Shego leaned on one elbow on the table, "I know you didn't look for me for two years just to take me to dinner."

Ed smiled, "Sez you."

She rolled her eyes. "Stalking is an annoying," she made a fist, "and dangerous habit."

"I'll take my chances. Seriously, I thought you'd like to work with me on a scheme or two."

She thoughtfully watched him eat.

"Should be more exciting than fighting in a two-bit ring a few nights a week," he said as he reached for his juice.

"You expect me to do the sidekick thing for you now?" She asked disdainfully.

"Please!" Ed scowled, "That is so old school! Seriously!" He scarfed a few more rolls, "Partners. Fifty-fifty."

Shego mulled that over.

"I guess I'll give it a try," she said reluctantly.

"Awesome!" Ed said around a mouthful. He wiped his mouth, "You won't regret it."

Shego scowled as she recalled that was exactly what Drakken had said when she agreed to go to a Wine Tasting. That was the night before she left.

-
A new semester just started, so I'm cutting down my writing.