Drinks and Labels Part 3


Shego tapped her fingers on the bar and leaned against her hand. Her slight buzz was lingering for the time being and the several glasses were finally cleaned away as she watched more patrons coming in to get as loaded as possible before the ball dropped. She watched the bartender, making a mental note to remember her name at least for the duration of her pleas.

"Why Go City? Don't they have training staff there?" scoffed Shego. "You won't like it."

"It's a change of pace and they can't seem to make anyone stay," sighed Gina once again. "Who knows, I might like it there and stay."

"You can't go," glared Shego, not about to let up. "I have divulged too much to you. Send the ditsy blonde over there."

Gina raised a brow and glanced down towards the bartender watering drinks down.

"Marcie?" scoffed Gina. "I don't even think she's going to last here."

"See! Then they will be short staffed. You should not go," said Shego firmly. Gina raised her brow.

"Why? What exactly is in Go City?" Gina seemed suspicious now.

Shego shrugged and was saved from answering as rowdy patrons flogged the other end of the bar. Shego downed her drink and looked at her phone to check the time. She had time to find a different method of preventing anyone knowing her past. She felt a hand on her left shoulder as Drakken leaned around her right. His hand gripped her shoulder for stability she assumed.

"Can I help you?" She smirked at his tired smile as he looked at her.

"I came over here to properly gloat about our winning," replied Drakken. His hand fell away as he leaned on his elbow at the bar to look at her. "Wasn't that dress navy?"

Shego smoothed the dress his mother had given her for Christmas. "It's reversible," she smirked as she folded a corner of the shoulder to show him. "I assume Motor Ed got annoyed of you gloating on your own?"

Drakken was still looking at her shoulder. She assumed he was still under the influence enough that his processing and motions were running slow. He'd reached his energized peak and was crashing. His eyes finally met hers and he gave a slow nod. His smile wavered. She waited for him to start talking or gloat but instead he just smiled at her. She didn't like how her amusement skated past annoyance to slightly flustered far too fast for her liking.

"Are you going to gloat or just stare at me?" scoffed Shego as she looked back at her drink.

"Hmm?" he shook his head. He'd dazed off. "Oh yes. Uh, where's your boyfriend?"

Shego's body tensed and she looked at Drakken quickly.

"Just because someone is your date doesn't mean they are your boyfriend," she felt uncomfortable at saying the word.

"Really?" asked Drakken. "Well where did he go?"

"He had to run off for a while," sighed Shego. She held up a drink. "So I will rack up his card until he returns."

Drakken snickered.

"Poor fool," he chuckled now, "I've seen how you can rack up a bill at the Villain's Inn. He might actually have to turn to villainy to afford it."

Shego nudged him and shook her head.

"Looks like that food sobered you up some," smirked Shego. Drakken shrugged. "Either that or its beddy-bye time."

Shego made a mock pout which earned a scoff from Drakken but his smile stayed.

"Where's the candy queen?" asked Shego casually. "She didn't want to gloat with you?"

Drakken froze and looked around suddenly. Shego let out a laugh and covered her mouth.

"Did you lose your date, too?" she fought her laughter.

"She was dancing with that shark guy," he muttered under his breath. "I know because Eddie made a 'Swimming with the fishes' joke."

"She didn't get enough dancing with you? I could have sworn you were out there every song," snorted Shego. She saw Drakken's tired, smug smirk.

"What... Were you watching me dance?" asked Drakken.

Shego felt her face warm a little but snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Pft, you wish," she finished her drink. As she put the glass down Drakken's hand stuck out to her. "Yes?"

"That was easy," snickered Drakken as he yanked her off the stool by her hand.

"Excuse me..." Shego trailed off as she was pulled onto the dance floor, "Well you could have asked."

"You said yes," shrugged Drakken, his tired grin returning as the slow song started.

Shego wanted to continue their banter if only to distract from the fact Drakken was holding her a little closer than he might have if he hadn't drank so much. She could feel the fluster slowly rising as he held her hand tightly while his other rested on her waist. That wasn't really what was flustering her... It was his soft tipsy smile at her as they danced.

"Did you want to come sit with us?" asked Drakken. Shego raised a brow as she was pulled back from her own internal conflict.

"Yeah, no thanks," scoffed Shego. "I don't want to play fifth wheel on a double date."

Drakken nodded. She wasn't sure if it was to her statement or if his thoughts were drifting. His next question confirmed he had in fact been lost in his own thoughts.

"Am I predictable?" asked Drakken. His smile faltered.

"Not tonight," laughed Shego. "Clearly you should not be allowed to keep track of your own drinks. You are going to have a serious hangover, Doc."

"Am I?" asked Drakken. There was a seriousness to his tone that confused Shego.

"I mean," she thought about his normal daily activities. "I guess...you can be. To me, sure. To anyone else, probably not."

She noticed his hand loosened slightly and he looked away for the first time since the dance started. No smile lingered on his face.

"Why—"

"Do you think I'll just fail again?" his tone was serious, and if not for the slight stumble in words, it wouldn't have seemed like an alcohol-induced question.

"That's a loaded question," snorted Shego. "Everyone fails... Mostly we fail because of some minor, overlooked thing. Like a switch or an unstable building..."

"Yet you still go along with everything," his tone stayed serious.

"All right, maybe you need more alcohol, because you're coming down hard," scoffed Shego. She felt her face grow warmer at his look. "Yeah, so what? What is with these questions?"

Drakken's face contorted into a series of expressions, and before he even opened his mouth she knew a whine was about to come out.

"If I am a predictable failure... Eddie is right, you just appease me—" his statement was cut off quickly.

"Appease you?" scoffed Shego. "No, I support you...no matter how insane or lame it sounds... Because that's what you do when you...ohm...are friends with someone."

She found the floor very fascinating and began wondering if the song was nearly over as her breathing picked up...glad she'd caught her own rant before she'd said too much.

"Why?" asked Drakken. "If I'm just going to fail—"

"News flash, Drakken," sighed Shego. "Look around...no one else has succeeded either... Sure they may have bigger lairs, more tinker toys, and perhaps actual competent henchmen. That aside, at least you are driven and creative... Occasionally too much."

Shego watched his expression while mentally wondering what exactly Ed had said and how hard she should hit him with a plasma blast before the night ended. Drakken's eyes were searching hers as if he was uncertain of her words. There was a brief pause in her own thoughts about hurting Ed as she wondered what she could say to get that goofy tipsy smile back...apart from getting him more drinks. She didn't know if it was the alcohol floating away in hers but she thought she saw something different behind his eyes as he looked at hers.

Her chest thumped louder as she saw the smile had yet to return. Even more as she realized she had drifted even closer against him as they danced. The bittersweet expression on his face made her suddenly livid at Ed. She wanted to demand what he'd said, because she was realizing it had less to do with Drakken's failings as it did with her personally.

She logically knew he was speaking through alcohol, but it wasn't the first time...not even in the last week...that Drakken seemed confused by their relationship... That she must secretly doubt him in some way. Her schooling would tell her it was insecurity...and she was probably right. That would have all made sense and she may have been able to clearly state as much. However the copious amounts of glasses she'd consumed, though faded, made that clear statement dwindle into a simple action.

Her brow narrowed in agitation as she yanked her hand away from his to grab the front of his jacket and pulled him closer to her face. Before her actions could follow-through, her mind managed to gain some control over the thought that had been inbound. Barely a half inch from his face, Shego had a moment of clarity—they were in the Villain's Inn, on a dance floor, both of them clearly there with others... Despite a small hiccup, he was clearly intoxicated, and it wasn't something she should do.

Instead her expression softened.

"I think you're brilliant," she sighed. She saw him swallow hard, but the dopey grin slowly slid on his face. "So whatever your idiot cousin said...is garbage."

She found her hand reluctantly letting go of his jacket as the sound of the song faded. His hand fell from where it had still been on her waist. It had appeared her simple words had at least restored some of his earlier cheerfulness. His movements faded back to slow-motion again as he took forever to step back from her. She waited for him to say something, but as he opened his mouth it was cut off.

"Drakky!" came the giddy annoying voice of Carmella. "There you are! There's a party upstairs. Devious Shark invited us."

"Devious Shark?" scoffed Shego.

"Yeah," grinned Carmella. Carmella's eyes darted between her and Drakken as they still stood awfully close. "It's a little crowded but I'm sure you can come too, Shego."

Shego stepped farther away from Drakken and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, crowded parties being thrown by a person calling themselves...Devious Shark?" snorted Shego. "Pass. You two have fun."

"Nonsense, you can—" Drakken's invite was cut short as Carmella began to yank him away from the dance floor.

"Shego said no thanks," waved Carmella cheerfully. "Come on!"

Shego watched as Drakken stumbled behind Carmella and vanished through the crowd. Shego let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She shook her head as she headed towards the bar, deciding to have a cold drink. She looked at her hand and shook her head at the very vivid recollection of grabbing his coat. As she sat at a stool, a part of her wondered about what she'd almost done instead of compliment him.

Would he have even remembered if I'd kissed him?

She seriously doubted it. Unfortunately she would remember having almost done so. She looked at the blonde bartender. Macey? Marcy? Mary? Shego couldn't be bothered to remember at the moment. She knew the woman watered down the drinks enough to justify her next order...or she really hoped so.

"Hey, give me a shot of tequila...two," said Shego with a deep sigh.

What's the harm...


Drakken crossed his arms as he was squashed into a small kitchen. It was extremely crowded and so far had been the only place that he wasn't being pushed or shoved. It also had snacks, and Shego's reminder that he should eat something because of all of his alcoholic indulgences rang through his head. Mostly because he'd had yet another drink. He and Carmella had gotten up there, danced a few times and then suddenly during a rather loud and volatile dance Carmella had vanished.

His head had slowly started to sober up during the upstairs party, thus the drink he was staring at but had only sipped. He kept picturing Shego's face so close to his, how she'd yanked him closer to her to begin with, her words drowning out the sound of the bass and a few yells.

'I think you're brilliant.'

He swallowed hard at the flashback. He'd been lucky the song had ended because he'd strongly debated on closing the gap between them, which he was fully aware would have been a horrible mistake. Despite the fact he'd have had the excuse he was drunk...which wasn't an excuse...but he'd probably feel the plasma blast pain less. He sighed and shifted as a few others grabbed some snacks in the stranger's room, his mind solely focused on Shego and not his earlier giddy energy, which he was certain was why he felt so suddenly groggy.

Did I dance a hoedown in a cowboy hat?

He wanted to tell himself no at the moment. He glanced around and wondered where everyone he knew had gone. There was a small wave of panic at the fact he might have been ditched at the Villain's Inn at a stranger's party. He hadn't seen Eddie and Cleopatra since he'd worn out his gloating and found Shego. He didn't see Carmella anywhere. It dawned on him as he looked around...Shego was downstairs at the bar alone.

Why didn't she come up here with us?

He looked around.

At least I'd have someone to talk to.

He slid out of the kitchen and headed towards the doorway which had a couple making out blocking the exit. They moved rather quickly when a soda casually sprayed their way. Drakken tossed the empty can as he slid past them into the hallway. He spotted Carmella talking to the guy in the shark costume.

Is it a guy?

Drakken really didn't pay much attention to that as Carmella gave him a cheery wave.

"Are you done getting snacks?" she asked, practically falling into him as she wrapped her arms around his. "I was just about to get you."

"Oh, good," smiled Drakken. He felt relief wash over him but something in his head was trying to find some sarcasm to respond with.

"Well Motor Ed and Cleopatra were talking about heading out right after the countdown," she giggled. "But why don't we bail early? You look a little tired."

"We rode with them," snorted Drakken.

"We can take a cab," shrugged Carmella nervously.

Why does she look nervous?

"Why do you look so nervous?" asked Drakken. Carmella looked at him for a second.

"Ohm, I'm...not," said Carmella. She didn't meet his eyes. "I was just thinking it would be nice for some more...personal time...with just us."

Drakken took a moment but his own nerves started to pull at his stomach at her words. Taking a cab would get neither of them to their lairs. His mind was racing, which with the mix of what was still in his bloodstream was making him a little dizzy.

"Shego," said Drakken. He saw Carmella's confused look. "Shego can give you a ride back. She has the hover-car."

Drakken saw her grin twitch and her eyes darted towards the shark person who had drifted away slightly.

"I'm sure she has to go get Dean," said Carmella. She kept shifting her stance which made Drakken's head spin. "Wouldn't want to impose."

Drakken nodded but something wasn't sitting right. He must have told Carmella wrong about Dean on the way up because he didn't remember Shego telling him she was going to get Dean at all. He was fading in and out of focus as Carmella spoke and his stomach was making far too many motions. It took him a second too long to come to the realization that pizza had not mixed well at all with his drink.


Shego snickered as her dagger split the dart in half and Lucius paid up. At some point between her second tequila shot and a handful of pretzels, she'd been waved at by her and Drakken's former henchman. It was an easy transition to Darts vs Daggers.

"Whoa, that one had a green trail," laughed Davis.

Shego looked to see the small smoke trail on the daggers and looked at her hands before letting out a loud laugh. It wasn't funny, but it definitely made everyone else think it was. She shook her hands to make sure her glow was gone. She suddenly became aware of the tingling in her fingers. She had a brief moment of clarity that the tequila had not been a good idea and was glad she'd had only had two shots.

"Well I couldn't just knock it out of the way, what fun would that be," smirked Shego as she flipped one of the daggers. She noticed her hand shake and chose to put it down. "Another round?"

"Nah, I gotta head out," yawned Lucius. "Told the wife I'd get home before midnight."

"If you don't get there, I will," snorted Davis. He was shoved off his stool by Lucius.

Shego listened to the idle chatter of their former henchmen, knowing full well this conversation would have been more interesting to Drakken. Her phone buzzed and she answered it rather quickly and had to take a quick look at the hand holding the phone. Dean's voice came over the line.

"Look who called," snickered Shego. "On your way back?"

"I was," she heard him cuss under his breath. "I had to call another cab, the one I was in broke down. I'm barely out of the city."

"Huh," Shego smirked. "You should have been out of the city at least a half an hour ago. Sounds like someone is trying to ditch me on New Year's—"

"No! No I'm not," she heard him panic. She found it slightly amusing. "None of my codes were working and I couldn't even get into the building so it took longer."

"Did you want me to come pick you up?" asked Shego. She second-guessed her words as she felt her hand tingle.

"No, the second cab should be here soon," he seemed rather firm and she noticed he was trying to whisper to her over the phone but she couldn't make it out. "So...as...then...I'll tell you...when...get there."

There was a static sound. Shego rolled her eyes.

"Where are you?" sighed Shego. She heard the name. "Campbell and Lex?

She heard him say something about waiting for the cab again but she ignored it and hung up. It wasn't like there was a reason to stay at the Villain's Inn anyway. Her stomach twisted and she wondered if she should go wish Drakken a Happy New Year before she left. Her thoughts were cut off by Davis.

"Campbell and Lex isn't far from where I need to drop this idiot off," nodded Davis. "Need someone roughed up?"

Shego snorted.

"No, my date's cab broke down headed here..." she was cut off.

"Davis is coming back here," said Lucius as he pointed upstairs. "He's too good to crash at anyone's house. He can grab the guy."

"Thanks for volunteering me," Davis rolled his eyes and looked at Shego. "Saves you a trip."

Shego was about to protest but the tingling in her fingers and the slight swirl of her head seemed to win over that idea.

"Gee, now I feel bad for beating you at Darts vs Daggers," snorted Shego. She watched their brows rise. "Not really."

They both snorted.

"Can't be many broke-down cabs," said Davis as they got up. "Won't be long. Most cops are on the main roads tonight so back-roads are fair game."

"Try not to scare him, he could barely handle the hovercar," replied Shego. "His name's Dean."

"The hovercar...really?" snorted Lucius as he pulled on his coat. "Oh man, poor guy."

Shego watched them leave and called back on her phone, hoping that static and service wouldn't interfere with it. She waited longer than she thought it should have taken before Dean answered. There was some mild static again.

"Hey, one of our former henchmen is picking you up, so don't be alarmed when an idiot in a weird getup shows up," stated Shego. She heard a relieved sigh.

"That's a relief." He gave a nervous chuckle. "Apparently no cabs are available...which is the mildest weird thing this evening."

"Someone's hit an unlucky streak tonight," chuckled Shego. "Let's hope things change for you."

"In a few hours it's a new year," he responded. "I'm hoping to start it on a better foot than this one is ending."

As she ended the call she found herself standing alone as yet another wave of people had come through. It was probably the last since midnight was getting closer and most people should have reached their chosen watering holes for the evening. She looked around the wall past the dance floor and didn't even see Motor Ed or Cleopatra. In fact the booth they and Drakken and Carmella had occupied earlier was now packed with others.

"I should have just gone myself," sighed Shego.

She felt the tingles in her hand again and crossed her arms. It would eventually subside, more easily if she could fire off some rounds. She glanced around and slid out the large entrance doorway to walk past the stairwell to the upstairs. She assumed a few blasts at the dumpster wouldn't harm anyone and would stop the tingling and flare-ups. She paused as she saw Drakken sitting on the stairs and staring at the railing in a daze. His brows were knitted and he was frowning, the tint to his face apparent in the dim light. Shego looked at him through the railing and waited for him to notice her staring at him.

"Why the long face," smirked Shego. Drakken jumped and smacked his head into the arm railing. "Pfft."

Shego snorted even as he glared at her.

"Why? I asked you to never sneak up on me," whined Drakken. He clutched his head. "Uhg, the spinning is back."

"You seemed really focused on the railing," Shego leaned against it and looked at him through the spindles.

"It's missing a screw," he muttered after a second. There was a long pause. "Shego."

"Drakken," she snorted and tried to mirror his town. "Why are you pouting this time?"

"I got sick," he whispered and leaned on the spindles near her. She could smell mint.

"Well at least you had mints," she sighed. He held up an actual bottle of mouthwash. She glanced up the loud stairs. "Where's Sweets?"

"In Devious Shark's bathroom," he muttered. She saw the darkening of his cheeks and the drunken embarrassed look on his face.

Shego stared longer than she normally would have and felt her body shake as she tried not to laugh. Judging by his demeanor and his words, it didn't take her long to realize where he'd gotten sick. The noises that were escaping her mouth as she tried to hold back the full hysterics had gained Drakken's attention. He had gone from pouting to glaring at her. She gripped the spindles and did her best to stop herself. When he rolled his eyes and she saw the flicker of a smirk on his face. She lost it. It was a mixture of a laugh and a cackle and she was glad for those drinks or she would have felt far more embarrassed by the sound than she did.

"Feel better?" asked Drakken with a sigh. There was a slight smile on his face.

"I'm sure you did," sniffed Shego. He groaned and covered his face. "Oh calm down. It happens... She probably won't even remember in the morning."

"She's used to the stuff we took, she'll remember," grumbled Drakken. Shego's smile fell.

"What stuff?" asked Shego. She meant to sound more serious than she did. "Did... Did you drink one of her concoctions?"

"It was something Cleopatra brought of hers... Prevents hangovers," sighed Drakken. "I don't think it's working for me."

Shego sprung over the railing to sit right next to him. Drakken grasped the railing.

"Shego, I just said it's missing a screw—" Drakken began to whine, but Shego had grabbed his face to make him look at her. "Shego?"

Her hands flared and he nearly smacked his head against the rail as he tried to back away from the flame. Shego ignored this and tried to watch his eyes for any off-dilation. She had a series of rapid emotions running through her head. She wasn't exactly sure what would actually win but at the moment it was panic. She didn't even know what she was looking for. His extreme emotions she had witnessed throughout the evening could easily be attributed to alcohol consumption. She tried to remember every off-behavior she'd ignored when Carmella had put him under mind control before.

"I'll have to wait," she whispered to herself. Anger took over. "Why would you drink anything of hers?"

"Everyone else—" He seemed calmer but the whining was back.

"Well that's great, so a bunch of people drank one of her mind-control concoctions so you did?" snapped Shego. She saw his eyes slowly go wide and then a look of frustration across his face.

"She wouldn't do that," his voice didn't sound as certain as he tried to look.

"Really? Put you under mind-control? Because she hasn't before. I mean maybe she perfected it now, so she's giving it to others. How stupid do..." huffed Shego. Her fingers tingled and she yanked them back from Drakken's face. "If she's done that then how am I going to be able to tell?"

Drakken was looking down and the range of emotions that spun across his face were like the ones she'd kept internal. Shego was dealing with her own thoughts. She wanted to shake Drakken and yell at him for doing something so stupid, but it wasn't worth it. She wanted to give her tingling fingers relief but she was sober enough yet that firing them off at Carmella would do nothing...especially if it was nothing to worry about. She could feel rationality starting to win over the anger and panic she'd just had. She was glaring up the stairs in contemplation when Drakken's hand touched her arm. She looked at him.

"What?" sighed Shego. She still wanted to shake him regardless if it was harmless.

Drakken was looking at her, attempting to focus his eyes but she could clearly tell he still wasn't anywhere near sober; perhaps just more self-aware than earlier. He let out a sigh and then let go of her arm and looked over the railing.

"If I ask you to leave," muttered Drakken, "then it wasn't just a hangover tonic."

"Or if she annoys me enough I snap," snorted Shego, "then you have to."

No, I'm not about to go through that again.

She had a flash of memories of what had transpired the last time. Drakken moved extremely close to her.

"No," he stated. "She knows I will choose you every-time... If she asks me again."

She watched him give a tipsy nod before his head slumped against the railing, his eyes heavy.

"I feel tired...that's normal, right?" asked Drakken, his focus shifting again.

Shego was staring at him and processing his statement. She'd been going to tell him that feeling tired was definitely part of coming down from too many drinks; that he only didn't remember the last few times because he'd just gone to sleep and not consumed nearly as much as she assumed he had tonight. However her focus was on the 'If she asks me again' statement. She wanted to inquire what he'd meant but she was already putting bits and pieces together. She knew it would have been quicker if the last of her alcohol had faded but her mind was picking and choosing what to remember. She looked at him, his eyes closed and leaning on the rails. His thumb was picking at the spindles, so he was still awake.

"Did she ask you to choose last time?" she asked quietly. He hummed and nodded. Her chest pounded at his nod. "You...you chose me?"

"Obviously," he gave a tired snort and didn't open his eyes.

Shego stared at him long and hard as he said this. Her hand grabbed his shoulder to pull him from his slumber. However, her mind was spinning and swirling at the revelation, and her tingling hands were starting to burn now. She wanted to discuss it but the twisting feeling was proving that those drinks and the tequila were having their own mixture troubles. She grabbed the bottle of mouthwash and dove over the railings, dashing towards the exit.


Drakken shot awake as the railing shifted and hit him in the face. Well not so much awake as alert. He turned to look at Shego, who had vanished. He looked around. So had his mouth wash. He felt like he was going in and out of a sleepy fog and his stomach hurt in a new tight feeling he didn't like. He felt a hand clap his shoulder and looked up to see Ed stumbling against the railing with a wide grin, Cleopatra trailing behind him.

"Hey Cuz, seriously, we're grabbing a room down the street. Did you want us to reserve one for you guys?" slurred Ed. He was holding a new bottle.

"Where is Carmella?" giggled Cleopatra as she flopped next to Drakken.

Drakken had a very slow recollection and groan.

"Bathroom," muttered Drakken. "I thought you were staying till midnight?"

"Too many people will be rushing to get rooms," smirked Ed.

"Ohm," Drakken stood up slowly. "I think I'm going to ask Shego when she is going back to the lair and have her drop me off."

"What about the Impostor?" snorted Ed as he fully leaned on Drakken. "Or is she done playing pretend?"

"What do you mean pretend?" asked Drakken as he brushed Ed off him.

He watched Ed roll his eyes and scoff at him.

"Seriously? You don't see it?" laughed Ed. "Seriously?"

"See what?" asked Drakken. He knew he was a little foggy. "Dean not being a villain?"

"...Seriously, I can't be the only one," muttered Ed. "Does no one see it, seriously?"

"Maybe you just had too much," smiled Cleopatra as she patted Ed's arm.

"See what?" Drakken closed his eyes as he stood, gaining control of his equilibrium.

"He doesn't remind you of anyone?" growled Ed. Cleopatra shushed him. "Fine, let's just go. My head hurts."

"Maybe you shouldn't have tried rooftop baseball after three shots," sighed Cleopatra as they headed down the stairs. "'Night."

Drakken leaned over the railing and waved lazily as he began walking down the steps. He heard running behind him to see Carmella had returned, though her normal giddy smile, like Drakken's mood from earlier, had faded.

"Are you feeling better?" asked Carmella. "I was worried you were still getting sick when I didn't find you upstairs."

"No, I was just talking to Shego," shrugged Drakken. "Sorry about that again."

"Could have been worse," cringed Carmella. She looked at Drakken. "Have you thought about leaving?"

"I forgot to ask Shego for the keys," said Drakken. "I'll ask her in a few."

Carmella raised a brow.

"Isn't she going to get Dean?" asked Carmella. Drakken shook his head. "Oh... really?"

"I don't think so," said Drakken. "She didn't say anything."

There was a long pause and Drakken felt uneasy as Carmella grabbed his arm.

"Want to go back upstairs—" He cut her off.

"It's very loud and crowded up there...I'd rather not," Drakken tried to slide his arm away from her. She slowly moved her grip and raised a brow but smiled.

"Well then why don't we get some air? Maybe I can persuade you to share a cab with me and not fly all the way back to your lair," she grabbed his hand and jumped up. "Come on."

Drakken had reluctantly agreed and they ended up outside sitting on one of the benches against the building. Carmella was talking away and in his fading fog she'd even taken or made a few calls. He hadn't been paying much attention and they were brief. He was thinking about his drink again and Shego's panic as she'd looked at his eyes. She'd been worried. Which made him feel like he should have been worried about what he drank... Then a wave of warmth swirled in him for a second at how worried Shego had actually been. He'd seen her walk back into the Inn so he knew she was still there...judging by a small green trash fire. Something had clearly bugged her enough to shoot off a few rounds. He was a little concerned by this.

"Drakken?" came Carmella's voice. Drakken shook his head and looked at her. "You okay? I've been talking to you for five minutes now."

"I'm fine," muttered Drakken. He rubbed his face. "You were saying?"

"I asked if you had thought about my offer," said Carmella with a flirty smile.

"Offer?" asked Drakken.

"I asked...for the third time," she had a forced smile. "Do you want to join me?"

Drakken didn't like the fog in his head and he felt slight panic again as if he was about to pass out or become numb. Until he knew for sure that he was just having a reaction to the serum or alcohol...he felt more confident than he normally would have in his response. Especially remembering the smoldering trash can and finding out what was bothering Shego.

"Not tonight," he sighed.

Carmella's face fell and she crossed her arms, leaning back against the bench.

"So you'd rather ditch me just to play third wheel with Shego and Dean?" Her voice lacked its normal cheerful tone. "Or is it just you and Shego for New Year's?"

"I uh...don't know," said Drakken. He hadn't even talked Shego about using the hovercar yet. "She seems upset so perhaps Dean isn't coming back—"

"How convenient," snickered Carmella. Drakken raised a brow and glared.

"It's not like that between Shego and I," sighed Drakken.

"You say that...and you may mean it...but does she feel the same?" asked Carmella. She gave a tired sigh.

"What do you mean?" asked Drakken. He felt uncomfortable. "Shego sees me as a partner and a friend."

"Really. Because it didn't look like that when I interrupted you after that dance," scoffed Carmella. "Looked like she was about to kiss you."

Drakken rolled his eyes.

"She was just reassuring me that she believes in my work," replied Drakken. His heart pounded at how close she'd been and her words were the only uncloudy thing in his mind.

"What did she say?" asked Carmella. She was looking towards the road.

"That she thought I was brilliant," smirked Drakken.

In a split second Drakken was in a mirrored position as he had been with Shego. Carmella had grabbed his coat and pulled his face close to hers. He suddenly wondered just how long Carmella had actually been watching them on the dance floor, because it was scary how similar her expression mirrored Shego's.

"I think you're brilliant." Her tone was the exact pitch of Shego's. Unlike when Shego had said it, he felt his skin crawl at Carmella's even tone. "Now, what do you think I'm thinking?"

"Ohm," Drakken swallowed hard and felt his head hit the wall behind the bench as she moved closer to him.

She let go of his coat and her wide dark blue eyes narrowed at him for a second. He was blatantly aware she'd been about to kiss him but his mind was a swirl or confusion yet again for the evening. The memory of him being sick and the drops of liquid in his drink that may have been part of that came spinning into thought.

"What was in that concoction we put in our drinks?" he asked cautiously.

Carmella's brow rose and then narrowed before she pulled her hand back and scooted away from him. She crossed her arms and shook her head bitterly. Before he could back-pedal and make it seem like a simple inquiry versus some sort of accusation...her expression shifted faster than his normally did. Her agitation was now a lopsided smile and sigh.

"I may not have the best track record, but I would hope you would give me credit about location at least," she snorted. "If I was going to put you under mind control again, I would have chosen a more private setting."

The conversation dwindled and Drakken became solidly aware of his fading fog and the fact that he'd clearly upset Carmella, despite her half-smile. He felt like he should say something to back-pedal or convey he wasn't suspicious of her or find her threatening...but that seemed like more of an insult to her intelligence. He had a direct desire to be back in his lab. No foggy thoughts, no worrying about anyone else... Just working on his projects.

This is why I stopped going out...

He snorted to himself. It was in fact exactly why he'd stopped going out and socializing years ago. He'd been content to work in his lab in peace with occasional assistants and just live through various news outlets from time to time. He cursed Shego's name under his breath at the reality she'd been the one to get into his head and force him out more and more. While it had its perks...at that moment he could do without the foggy swirl.

He wasn't exactly sure how slow or fast time moved but he'd walked back into the bar a little while later, Carmella's cab having come and taken her to the nearby hotel. She hadn't seemed surprised when he told her he was going to head back to his lair since he knew Shego was still around. While mentally he told himself he was done with the evening, he found himself sitting at the bar in deep thought as he ordered.

Drakken knew it was a mistake, but the simplicity of a Peppermint Patty had tempted him too much. Regardless, he swore by morning he was swearing them off and anything else. He didn't like the swirl, or the sickening feelings, or the copious amounts of foggy problems he'd caused and witnessed. He'd gone years without these social settings. Decades really. He was remembering after one solid night, just how idiotic they made him feel. He downed his drink and waited for the year to end, his attention focusing back onto the dance-floor as his hand touched his coat collar.

Maybe...


Shego looked at her phone as the minutes ticked by. Midnight seemed closer than it should have been, yet there she sat, alone and leaning against the pillar behind her chair in annoyance. Favor or not, she felt the urge to plasma blast Davis when he arrived. Apparently he'd ended up in a high-speed pursuit. At least that's what Dean had said over the phone while clearly trying not to panic. She knew it meant a few evasive maneuvers and some videos to watch on Villa-TV later... She was actually feeling a little down at not having a New Year's kiss...again. She scoffed and shook her head and wondered why she'd just not gone to a more crowded club and grabbed a random person.

She glanced at the bar and wondered which one of the bartenders might be a candidate if she was really feeling desperate. Her eyes fell on Drakken who was dancing with the new bartender, and she rolled her eyes so hard it actually hurt. She hissed to herself at it. She stopped herself from touching her face only because she saw green. She shook her hand. The tingling was lasting longer than normal and she wondered what brand of tequila that had been.

"Shego!" She jumped as her name was yelled and Drakken headed her way. "Just who I was looking for."

"Really? Because it looked like you were having a nice dance with...yet another blonde?" She gave him a devious smirk.

Drakken stared over his shoulder and then paused before rolling his eyes. He collapsed in the chair across from her, knocking her feet down to the floor.

"That was my foot rest," she scoffed. "Where's Sprinkle Maiden?"

"Where's Dean?" he asked in an equal tone.

"Our former henchman took him on a high-speed chase," said Shego as she finally put her phone down.

"She went home...and I would like to do the same," said Drakken. He held out his hand and Shego raised a brow.

"You are in no condition to operate anything," snorted Shego. Drakken pouted and hung his head.

"It has autopilot," he whined. Shego scoffed and handed him the keys. "Yay."

"Didn't you have enough already?" asked Shego as he reached for her drink.

"Last one. I'm going back to being a shut-in after midnight," declared Drakken with a broad grin.

"Pfft, yeah right," snorted Shego. "I don't think you could survive not gossiping with Duff and Monkey Fist. Or purposely running Dementor's bids up online to call and gloat."

"...Partial shut-in," nodded Drakken. Shego looked at him and raised a brow.

"You and Sweets have a fight?" asked Shego. Drakken shrugged.

"Pretty sure not kissing her and accusing her of possibly drugging me should warrant a fight...but I really can't recall," shrugged Drakken. Shego snorted but tried not to smile.

"You also threw up on her," muttered Shego. Drakken nodded.

"I may have been dumped," nodded Drakken. He drank the rest of her drink. "Happy New Year."

"You've got a few minutes yet," smiled Shego. She rubbed her hands as they tingled.

"Right," Drakken smiled and looked around the bar.

Shego nodded to herself and looked at the clock as it ticked down. Her eyes fell on Drakken and she began rubbing her hands not just because of tingling now. She saw everyone pairing off and growing louder as anticipation built. She bit her lip and chanced it, swatting at Drakken's arm. He looked up at her and rested his head on his hand with a grin.

"Yes?" he asked cheerfully.

"If I suggest we kiss each other when the ball drops, are you going to throw up on me?" asked Shego. She was glad her nerves didn't show.

Drakken looked at her a long time, clearly trying to process her words in his mental fog she was sure. He shook his head and his smile faltered only for a second before opening his mouth but nodded instead of actually saying anything. Shego felt her nerves fall away and shrugged.

"Fantastic, now we don't have to find some random bartender," sighed Shego. "I think the blonde's a baby Villain Hopper. We don't need that around the lair."

"I never understood that term," muttered Drakken. Shego snorted.

"It's a wannabe villain who uses established villains to climb a social ladder for money and power by using her body and feminine skills to do so," stated Shego. Drakken nodded.

"That just seems like a good strategy in an unequal world," shrugged Drakken. Shego raised a brow. "What? I read Villainess Weekly."

"Yeah, I know...can you stop doing the crosswords with the wrong words?" scoffed Shego.

"Maybe I do that on purpose," smirked Drakken. Shego glared at him. "Kidding...maybe."

Shego kicked his chair and he laughed. She felt the most relaxed she had all evening and rested her feet across Drakken's lap. He seemed not to care as he leaned against the table. In fact he started fiddling with the heels of her boots. She leaned further against the pillar and found herself pulling a loose string from his coat sleeve. A weird thought arose of just going back to the lair and calling an end to the night. She looked at her phone and gave it a sad smile and reminded herself she could not.

She heard counting and her eyes darted back towards the clock as everyone filtered in around them. Shego's chair was bumped a few times before she decided to get up. Drakken looked hesitant but followed her in standing. She rolled her eyes at the chaotic yells, some late in the chanting due to alcohol. She looked at Drakken watching for a similar annoyed look which even in his state, was there. He shook his head and cringed as someone let out a shrill yelled number. It was well off. Shego saw others already kissing and was about to comment when her nerves suddenly formed into a solid ball in her stomach.

Drakken's shoulders stiffened as their eyes met. She found herself smoothing out her knit dress at the sudden realization they were intentionally about to kiss. She mentally tried to think of a time they had both been consciously aware and not being socially forced to do so, but none came. She heard the yells of "Happy New Year!' ring around them and she smiled at him.

She leaned forward the same time as he did. His lips seemed as hesitant as she felt. It was a small relief if not a little bit of a let-down when it was just a simple kiss. She wasn't surprised however; it was Drakken. She was about to pull away when the hesitance in his kiss seemed to vanish. His lips pushed back against hers stronger. She took a deep inhale of breath through her nose as his hands found her waist and he moved closer to her. She found her back pressed against the pillar and she let her concerns and questions fade. Her hand gripped at his coat as her other hand slid to the side of his face. Her body was tingling all over and her hands itched at the friction of the kiss.

Shego wasn't exactly sure what was going on in Drakken's head but hers was a muted fog of calm that she wasn't familiar seemed to slow. She was waiting for him to pull away and panic or stop and laugh it off. Something. What she hadn't expected was to feel his tongue ghost over her lip.

Her gasp should have been an invitation, but in a split second everything suddenly changed. The tingling in her body burned and Drakken sprung away from her with a yelp, falling back over the chair still behind him. Shego smacked her head against the pillar in shock at the sudden reaction. The sound of the loud bar came back and no one seemed to notice them and Shego was about to yell at Drakken for stopping the kiss, until she saw him clutching his face in pain. Shego's confusion and anger came into focus as she looked at her hand, which a moment ago had been on his face. Both her hands were glowing and she was certain she'd shot him with the other hand. Shego shook her hands and went towards Drakken. She tried to suppress her anger at her flaring hands with more pressing matters. In her confusion Drakken had found his way to his feet.

"Drakken," she said quickly, but he looked at her with pure fear.

"I shouldn't have..." he muttered.

She realized she was still glaring and tried to clear her features at the same time she waved her hands in an attempt to gain control of her glow, all while trying to yell and convey over the growing din that she hadn't meant to blast him. She reached for him again but he seemed not to have noticed her expression change as he fixated on her hands. Someone bumped into Shego for a split second and she glanced away. When she looked back up at Drakken, all she saw were the crowds of couples and drinkers. He was gone.