Tell me what I feel

Shego waited in front of the hotel restaurant, as she and Kim had arranged. She was wearing a gray silk blouse, a skirt, and shoes with two inch heels in place of her normal flats. Not exactly stilettos, but those were the highest heels she consented to wear on a job. Almost all the clothes she had brought along were of professional variety, so there was very little she could do to dress up. Not that she had any reason to dress up, since she was just meeting an old acquaintance for dinner; it just seemed like a respectful thing to do. She had her normal dark makeup on, but she'd tried to put a little effort in arranging her long raven hair.

"There you are."

Kim stepped up to her, and Shego was strangely disappointed to see she was not wearing the little black dress. Instead she wore dark straight slacks and a dark green button-down shirt with padded shoulders. She wore shiny black leather shoes and, for some reason, a black skinny tie. Her long red hair was tied up in a low ponytail. Well, at least she wasn't going for the Lolita look this time.

"You're looking very nice," Kim said. "I like what you've done with your hair."

"Thank you. Shall we get in?"

"Sure." Kim stepped up to the head waiter. "Hi, I have a reservation for a table for two; Possible."

"Certainly, madam." He glanced at the list and then back at Kim. "This way, please."

Shego went to sit down, and Kim held out the chair for her in an entirely unnecessary and ostentatious display of gallantry. Shego blushed a little when she realized the head waiter might get the wrong idea of them. She hoped he thought it was just a little fun between friends. Kim sat down opposite of her, unassisted.

"Bon appetit."

"Merci," Kim said.

Shego looked around her as the head waiter departed. The dimly-lit restaurant was fairly full. She thought she recognized several people from the expo personnel, sometimes in surprising configurations. Maybe Kim wasn't the only one who looked at these things as opportunities to socialize.

"I didn't think they took reservations."

"Of course they take reservations. This is a pretty nice place, as these things go. Very European."

"Do you have lots of experience with hotel restaurants?"

"Please, I practically live on the road these days. I don't even keep an apartment anymore."

They were interrupted by a waitress dropping off menus and asking if they wanted aperitifs. Kim ordered for them before Shego could open her mouth.

"We'll have Campari and soda, please."

The waitress walked away after that. Shego opened her mouth to protest about Kim ordering for her without consultation, then closed it. It was rather too late, anyway.

"You don't have an apartment?"

"I was never in there, so there was no point paying the rent." Kim opened her menu and Shego copied her.

"Where do you keep your things?"

"I rent a garage. I originally rented it for the paperwork I'm legally required to store. Now it also has my furniture and stuff." Kim paused to turn a page on the menu. "A couple of my friends are hanging on to some clothes and equipment, but I mostly live out of my suitcase."

"Wow. I mean, I guess I was much the same in my previous career. I kinda learned to not keep my things at the lairs as somebody kept blowing them up."

"Hey, that was mostly Ron. And it wouldn't have happened if all of Dr. Drakken's stuff hadn't been rigged to blow."

"He did have a talent for building stuff which blows, yes. So you're still a jet-setting young hero. Do you still have your old crew?"

"Nope, they all have boring things to do now. It's Possible is just me. Well, me and a part-time secretary." Kim looked up and frowned. "It was meant to be Possible Solutions, but my stupid brothers stole the name while I was finishing my degrees."

"You don't feel the need to settle down?"

"God, no. I've seen what it does to people. Ron's completely pussywhipped, stuck running a restaurant and a dojo; Wade is busy monetizing his old inventions rather than coming up with new stuff; Monique still dreams she'll be a fashion designer when she grows up though she's been a store manager for four years now; and even my brothers are trying to be all respectable to secure government contracts."

Both women were quiet as Shego processed the information. The waitress returned with the aperitifs.

"I mean, they're all doing all right, and making more money than me. I just think they're all too young to trade having fun for a lucrative career."

Shego sipped her bitter drink. It wasn't quite to her taste, even with the soda.

"Some people like security, you know; financial or otherwise. Where will your retirement fund come from?"

"Shego, do you honestly see me live to retire?"

Well, that was unexpectedly dark. Shego felt like knocking the drink back and asking for another; maybe something stiffer.

"So you still do those sorts of missions."

"Yeah. Sometimes they make the news."

"Without backup."

"Not always."

"You're crazy."

"Thanks."

"That wasn't a compliment, Kim. You'll get yourself killed."

"So you do care."

Shego didn't know how to reply, so she just glared at Kim. She glared right back. Shego was relieved when the waitress arrived to break the uncomfortable moment.

"Are you ready to order?" Shego wasn't quite sure why the waitress addressed the query to Kim; she was at the table, too.

"Yes, I'll have the salmon, and bruschetta for starter, please." Kim looked at Shego. "What about you, dear?"

Shego threw a quick glance at the waitress, but her only reaction was that she shifted her attention to Shego, pencil held ready. She directed another glare at Kim, but the only reaction from her was an attempt at an innocent smile, somewhat too smug to be effective.

"Yeah, I think I'll have the veal, medium rare. And I'll have tapas for appetizer."

"Excellent. What drinks do you want with your food?"

"I'll have a glass of Chardonnay. I'm sure it'll work for the starter too."

"I'll have a sherry with my tapas, and a glass of house red for the main course."

The waitress thanked them for the order and left.

"Veal? So you have a taste for tender young flesh. Interesting."

"I'm surprised you had enough restraint to not order oysters for the both of us. I'm almost proud of you."

"Mm. And a bottle of champagne to split between us. I'm sure that would help get you in the mood. I like your ideas."

"That's not what... this isn't a date, Kimmie."

"How is this not a date?"

Shego opened her mouth to give the obvious answer, then closed it. The reason this wasn't a date was very clear to her, but it was more difficult to express in words than she'd thought. She had been asked out for dinner by someone who might have romantic interest in her, and she'd accepted, knowing that. That arguably did make this dinner at least a little date-like.

"I'm not here to assess your suitability as a... a romantic partner."

"Of course not. I'm sure you already know what you're missing."

"I'm not a lesbian."

"Most queer girls aren't, apparently. It seems non-straight women are more likely to be bisexual. My experience agrees with the research, but that, of course, is only anecdotal." Kim gave Shego a wry grin. "I haven't had enough partners for a statistically significant sample."

Shego was torn between clarifying that she wasn't bisexual, either, and asking Kim just how many partners she'd had. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"I'm straight, Kimmie. Just like most women."

"It's all right. I've dated straight girls before. It's treatable."

"Kimmie, what does it take to make you understand I'm not interested?"

"It's too late for that. I know you're intrigued."

"I'm not." Shego noticed her volume was rising, and fell silent.

The waitress bringing their starter dishes was a welcome interruption. Shego needed to get herself under control. She wasn't sure why she let Kim get to her like this. Somehow she kept varying her approach just enough to keep her off balance.

"Oh, right. I forgot about the garlic." Kim took a bite out of her bread. "I won't blame you if you won't kiss me tonight."

"Good. I wasn't going to kiss you, anyway."

Kim sighed dramatically. "La Belle Dame sans Merci."

"Yup. That's me." Shego tried a piece of cheese.

Shego was comfortable with such a description of herself. While she might not be quite the ruthless mercenary she had been some years back, she was by no means soft. She was also quite aware that she was beautiful; it was both an asset and a liability, depending on the situation. She suspected Kim wouldn't be hounding her quite so insistently if she was plainer. Cindy Winters might be more than a pretty face, but she was quite unmistakably gorgeous. And blonde.

"How do you find... your bruschetta?" Shego had been midway asking Kim how she knew a woman would be interested in what she had to offer, before realizing it might sound like she was fishing for advice.

"It's not the best one I've had. It's okay."

"Do you often find yourself wasting your efforts on straight women?" That was a much better phrasing.

"No, not really. It's not that hard to tell if a girl's open to that sort of thing or not."

"Oh? Well, I suppose you have developed something of a gaydar." Shego wasn't sure if she was a false positive, or if Kim simply ignored her better judgment.

"It's really not that mysterious. If a woman checks you out, there's a fair chance she's interested."

"Ah. I suppose that makes sense." Shego popped a slice of sausage into her mouth while Kim took another bite and chewed it thoughtfully.

"You keep checking me out." The sausage slice popped right out of Shego's mouth.

"I do not!"

"Yeah, you do. Every time we meet you look me over for just a little too long."

"I'm checking... trying to determine what gear you have on you. I work security, Princess. It's my job to figure out if you're up to something."

"Sure, it's nice to have an excuse."

"It's not an excuse. I'm just doing my job."

"And part of that job is going on a date with me?"

"This is not a date. I'm here to keep you under surveillance. My clients agree that you are the biggest threat here and that my time is best spent watching you." Shego suspected she could have worded that better.

"It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it, I suppose. I wish I could get a job watching pretty girls." Kim took a sip of wine. "You know, I was all by my lonesome all last night. Who knows what I could have gotten up to? I think you should be more conscientious about your duties."

"I'm not going to sleep with you, Kimmie."

"That's probably wise. I might handcuff you to the bed and have my wicked way with your company secrets."

"And by 'company secrets' you mean..." Shego felt her cheeks heating up despite herself. She hoped Kim didn't notice. She'd no doubt interpret her embarrassment as a sign of interest.

"Those delicious, sinful little spreadsheets in that laptop your VP of Sales carries around like a baby. What did you think I meant?" Kim lifted an eyebrow and Shego felt more embarrassed.

"Oh, right, I forgot what a dirty mind you have. Don't worry: if you ask nicely, I can probe your secrets places, too."

Shego knocked back the rest of her sherry, wishing it was something stiffer. Then a sobering thought hit her. Kim hadn't seemed aware of the laptop yesterday. Had she learned of it since, or had they had the intelligence all along? It seemed reckless to reveal the extent of their knowledge in either case. Was that really a slip or purposeful misdirection? She felt another headache coming along and she didn't think it was from two glasses of alcohol.

"Are you sure you don't want a massage? It would do you good."

"I'll book some time at a spa once this thing is over."

"Sounds reasonable. How long is your contract with Future Ways, anyway?"

"I have a couple of months left of the current contract. I might sign on for another six months after that."

"Mm, sounds like you are in demand."

"Some people like my resume." There were also people who wouldn't touch her with a barge pole, but she nevertheless hadn't had trouble finding employment since she started her security consultant career. "What about you, how long are you signed up with the Feds?"

"I'm not sure if I should tell you that." Kim regarded her from under her eyelids. "But let's say I could join you at the spa without a conflict of interest."

"I'm not so sure about that, Pumpkin. Your interest in me conflicts with my lack of interest in you."

Shego wasn't surprised to learn Kim's contract only covered the duration of the trade show. From what she knew of her career, Kim preferred one-time deals and short commissions. The cocky young woman probably thought she could wrap up the investigation in a week. She supposed it was also possible that the arrangement was the result of her having been conveniently present at the scene due to her position as a representative for Possible Solutions.

"My, my, aren't you conceited. What makes you think I'm interested in you?"

Shego's mouth nearly fell open at Kim's audacity. "Uh, the fact that you've been trying to score with me for the past couple of days?"

"You're right, of course." Kim sighed. "I'm hopefully attracted to you."

"Don't you mean hopelessly?"

"No," Kim said. "I don't." Her words were accompanied by an aggravatingly confident expression. Kim's smoldering eyes bored into hers, certain of conquest. Shego could feel her heart beat faster.

She had received looks like that from men, a few times, in her younger days. Despite herself it had made her knees weak and her panties wet. She had shut those irritatingly desirable men down, each time; she'd had her pride and her reputation to protect. She had been the untamable bad girl, not some starry-eyed maiden. She had sought out good-looking boy toys for her pleasure, not dangerously irresistible men who might prove too hard to forget.

Shooting down those smug Don Juans had been enjoyable in its own way, but she knew she had forfeited nights of wild passion and unknown pleasures. Even now, the mere memory of those episodes was enough to bring forth the familiar heat between her legs.

"Yeah, sure," Shego said, rather more weakly than she'd intended, avoiding Kim's eyes. Her mouth was dry. She reached for her water glass. For some reason her hand trembled enough that she spilled a few drops on the tablecloth as she took a drink. "You keep telling yourself that."

The waitress reappeared with the main dishes while Shego was trying to get her unexplained fight-or-flight response under control. She had only eaten half or her tapas, but she indicated she was ready for the main course, anyway. She was thankful for the distraction.

Kim shifted position as the plate was laid down in front of her, and their legs made contact. Cloth covered most of Kim's leg, but the touch of her ankle on her calf felt like a brand. Shego jerked her leg back and tucked it under her seat. She wasn't quite sure why she felt so sensitive, but she didn't want to encourage Kim in any way. Kim kept smiling like she was enjoying some private joke. Shego kept her eyes to the table. She mumbled thanks when the waitress wished them a good meal. She thought she saw Kim wink at the waitress from the corner of her eye.

Shego didn't know why she was so flustered. It wasn't like Kim herself could have such an effect on her. She suspected she had brought this on herself through unfortunate mental associations. She concentrated on cutting her veal. Tender young flesh. If Kim was trying to imply she had had an interest in her as a teenager, she was even further off the mark than usual. She'd been just a kid when they'd first met.

"This is better than I expected. If I'd known the kitchen was this good, I would have ordered it rare." Shego reviewed what she'd said and glanced at Kim. She was smiling impishly. "No suggestive commentary?"

"I don't have to say anything. You've already thought about it yourself." Right. A change of subject was indicated.

"Is your salmon as good as the one I had yesterday?"

"You tell me." Kim reach over the table with her fork, her other hand cupped under it. Shego bent forward to accept the bit of fish without thinking.

"I think the one I had was better."

"This isn't bad."

"No, but the other one was better." A quip occurred to Shego. She knew she really, really shouldn't use it, but she couldn't resist. "You took Cindy to a better restaurant. I don't think you're really trying very hard to impress me. I'm hurt." She pouted, just a little bit.

"I'm sorry, baby. I just wanted to try somewhere new."

Shego was disappointed, but not really surprised, that Kim rolled with it without missing a beat. She'd probably need to turn it up quite a bit to embarrass Kim in turn, and that seemed inadvisable. The last thing she needed was to encourage her.

"I'm not doing so good, am I? I really should have planned something more romantic."

"That's really not necessary."

"It's nice of you to say so, but I know you're a little disappointed."

Shego wouldn't say she was disappointed, exactly, but there was something about the dinner that made her feel like something was off. She had prepared herself for enduring Kim's pick-up lines and innuendo, and she felt slightly let down. They were still there, certainly, but Kim had toned her act down from their earlier encounters. Rather that make her feel more relaxed, it somehow put her on edge when the anticipated behavior was not there.

"So how was the presentation?"

"Not as interesting as I'd hoped. It was pretty old hat compared to the stuff my brothers are working on."

"Then why didn't you leave?"

"I didn't think it was polite. Besides, there were a few points of interest. I must say I didn't think it was an area you were interested in."

"You know I wasn't there for the presentation."

"That's right, you were there just to watch me. That doesn't really help convince me you're not interested."

"I was there in a purely professional capacity."

"I was just sitting there for two hours. You could have put one of your minions on the job. Surely your time is more valuable than theirs."

"I don't trust them with this. They don't know you like I do. I'm sure you could give them the slip, somehow."

"Or maybe you just like to hog me all to yourself."

"You wish." Shego made a concentrated attack on her meal, ignoring Kim for a while.

Why did she constantly let Kim put her on the defensive? This wasn't how their relationship... no, that was an unfortunate term... how their dynamic was supposed to work. She was older and more experienced of the two, more worldly. Well, she was probably more worldly. Kim did get around, apparently in more ways than one. From the way she talked, Kim might have more sexual experience than her, but she wasn't exactly a blushing virgin herself. Just because she'd never gone down on another woman wasn't any reason to let Kim rattle her.

When Shego looked up, Kim was watching her intently, resting her head on her hand. Her green eyes were so bright they almost shone and there was a slight smile on her lips.

"You know, you're really not what I expected. I guess I never really saw the professional side of you. I suppose you handled a good deal of the management side for Drakken?"

"Yeah, but that involved a whole lot of violence, or at least threats of it. I can't really treat FW goons like I did Dr. D's hences."

"Probably just as well. Much as I miss our contests, I'd just as soon not see you return to villainy."

"Not going to happen. I like not having to move every few weeks or getting all my clothes blown up." Shego paused for a while, chewing her veal thoughtfully.

"I always prided myself on my professionalism, back in my mercenary days. Did I come across otherwise?"

"Well, I guess our meetings were usually more about violence than business, but you always seemed to be rather short on temper. Maybe that was my doing."

"More likely it was Dr. D. He could be very... trying to work with."

"I can imagine. But I don't really want to talk about him tonight. Do you?"

"Oh, God, no."

"Good. There are much more interesting subjects available. Such as you."

"Well, I can't deny that I'm downright fascinating."

"Neither can I. What do you like to do when you're off duty? Any hobbies?"

"Uh." Suddenly Shego began to doubt if she really was so fascinating. Certainly her hobbies weren't. "I, uh, work out?"

"I can tell. It's amazing how well you've managed to stay in shape."

"Is that a dig about my age?"

"No, of course not. I just figure your current vocation doesn't involve as much action as your old one."

"Eh, action was rare. There was a lot of sitting around the base, waiting for the blue moron to get a brainwave. I hit the gym a lot out of boredom. Well, when we had a gym. Other times I just hit things."

"You were an angry young woman."

"Damn straight I was. I've calmed down." Shego calmly sipped her wine, then narrowed her eyes at Kim. "I'm still young, though."

"Do you pick up guys at the gym?"

"I don't go to the gym to pick people up. I go there to train."

"They aren't mutually exclusive activities, you know. Looking like you do, I imagine you get a lot of attention working on your tone."

"Too much. I guess I'm used to having a place all to myself. Anyway, I usually let people know I'm very not interested."

"I thought you weren't angry anymore."

"I'm not, unless I'm provoked."

"Shego, I'm deeply concerned about your love life, or lack thereof. You really need to try to meet more people."

"Do you pick up people at the gym?"

Kim gave her a grin. "I like making friends, and it's much more fun to do exercises with somebody. Sometimes one thing leads to another."

"You just straight up hook up with strangers?"

"We're all strangers when we meet, Shego. That's what getting to know people is all about." Kim smiled at Shego. "Some people I get to know really well. If they're at a gym, you know you have at least one thing in common, and you know they take care of themselves."

"Guys or girls?"

Kim considered, her face scrunching in a way that was so cute Shego suspected she had practiced it in front of a mirror.

"I was going to say I don't discriminate, but it turns out they were all girls. Maybe because it seems to work more naturally when we have the same routines." Kim gave Shego a wicked look. "You know, a little assistance, some noises of appreciation, finish with some stretches together, and a little advertisement in the locker room."

"Oh, God, do you check girls out in the showers?"

"I try to be discreet about it, but it's really hard not to look sometimes. Besides, sometimes they look at me right back."

"Well, you are an attractive young celebrity. And openly bi."

"See? Advertisement works."

"Do you really sleep around like that?"

"You think I'm a bit of a slut, don't you?"

"That's not what I... I mean, I wouldn't say you're a slut, but..."

"But you think so, anyway." Kim seemed quite calm, but Shego's face burned.

"Honestly, I find this sexist notion that men can go around making conquests while women are supposed to safeguard their precious virtue to be complete bullshit." Kim paused to smooth out her frown.

"Pardon my French, but it's true. Look. I like sex. Most people do. If I think I'm going to enjoy myself, why not go for it? That's actually a pretty high bar. It means there's chemistry, that I believe they'll know what they're doing so we're both going to enjoy it and it's going to be safe, and that they're not going to ruin it afterward by being a jerk." Kim took a sip of water. "I know we'd both enjoy it."

"What makes you think that?"

"I've never yet failed to satisfy a woman." The words were accompanied by that confident look again. A very curious sensation went through Shego, culminating in a jolt deep in her core. Stupid associations. She went to speak, but her throat and lips felt very dry. She licked her lips to moisten them.

"I'm not into women, Kimmie." Her voice was rough, but at least she didn't stutter.

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe that. I don't think you really believe it, either." Kim ate some more of her fish as Shego formulated a rebuttal.

"Identity is a funny thing," Kim said, "especially sexual identity. I really don't get straight people."

"How can you not get it?"

"The way somebody put it it's like going to an amusement park and only being willing to try half the rides. I mean, sure, people have preferences. I get that. What I don't get is the vehemence with which some straight people maintain that they have never, ever, not even a little bit, been attracted to somebody who isn't of their preferred gender." Kim paused for breath.

"Nobody pretends other preferences are that absolute. People are willing to try strawberry ice cream even if they prefer chocolate. Everybody knows that rules have exceptions. It's not like you need to stop identifying as straight if you admire somebody's ass before you've determined if they're a man or a woman; a nice ass is a nice ass, right? Or even if you experiment a little. I've been with some straight women. They all enjoyed it. They are all still straight, as far as I know."

Kim took a drink as Shego digested her words.

"What other identities do you have? You were a hero once, yet you became a thief. You were a villain, you insisted you were evil, yet you became a productive, law-abiding citizen. You are a woman, even a very feminine woman, but I don't think you've ever felt constrained by roles traditionally ascribed to women. Why should you let your sexual identity become a straightjacket that prevents you from taking the opportunity to enjoy life, if it presents itself in an unexpected context?"

"What I really don't get is why you are so convinced I'm interested."

"Body language. The fact that you agreed to this date. Your flushed cheeks." Kim smiled wryly. "Maybe you aren't hopelessly smitten with me, but you are definitely intrigued."

"You're hallucinating."

"You never struck me as someone who struggles very hard to resist temptation. Why now? What's the worst thing that could happen? You decide you didn't like it after all?"

"Assuming I even wanted to..."

"Which you do."

"There is my reputation. And my position with the company. I think they might take it amiss if I got a little too close to the opposition. I don't really want to get fired."

"Oh, don't worry. You're already getting fired for letting me find crucial evidence on your watch."

"Yeah, that's not going to happen, either, Kimmie." That earned Shego another one of those smug smirks, this time accompanied by a look of mock pity. "I'm looking forward to your abject failure, Kimmie. I'm going to enjoy rubbing it in your face."

"Well, you're going to enjoy rubbing something in my face. And so am I."

Shego tried very hard to not turn red. Judging from Kim's amused look she wasn't terribly successful. Why did that keep happening? She had just regained control of this conversation.

"So, do you want dessert? Or should we just grab some chocolate cream and slip into my room?"

"What I need is a drink."

"Ooh, good idea. How many shots away do you think you are from lesbian experimentation?"

Why had Kim suddenly returned to explicit suggestions? She had been much more restrained through most of the dinner. Kim couldn't honestly believe she was interested, could she?

While Shego fumed silently, avoiding looking at Kim's smiling lips, the waitress came back to ask them if they wanted dessert. Shego was determined to show she wasn't Kim's date and spoke up before she could. "Just coffee and a glass of brandy, please."

"Coffee sound good. We'll have espressos, please." Shego frowned at Kim but it didn't have much effect with Kim scanning the dessert menu. "And... a chocolate lava cake, please."

"Just the one?"

"Just one plate." Kim flashed a mischievous look at Shego before turning back to the waitress. "Two spoons."

The waitress left, sparing them a knowing smile. Shego leaned forward to hiss at Kim.

"This is not a date. Do you have to go out of your way to make people think it is?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I just thought you might regret not ordering dessert. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight, even if you don't."

"You're the one who wants to enjoy me tonight."

"True, but the two are by no means mutually exclusive."

"Kim, I'm straight. I would not enjoy it."

"It's strange how that works, really. How the same physical sensation can produce so wildly different responses. Most of a time a touch is just a touch, sometimes it's even repulsive, but when it's the right person it's nothing short of magical."

"And you are not it."

"Then who is?"

Shego rarely felt sorry for herself, but she didn't like not having an answer to the question.

"You enjoy the physical sensation of a woman's fingers just fine when you masturbate. If you closed your eyes, and those fingers belonged to someone else, how do you think you'd feel?"

"Creeped out. I'm not discussing this."

Awkward silence fell on the table, or at least it was awkward for Shego, made more so by the wholly inappropriate responses of her body. Judging by the infuriating smile on Kim's face she didn't feel awkward at all. Before Shego had time to rally herself, their coffees and dessert arrived. Shego had to confess the chocolate cake looked tempting.

Kim picked up her spoon and gently rubbed it around the outline of the chocolate before pressing into its creamy depths. She brought it to her lips, letting the decadent taste linger on her tongue as her eyes fluttered closed. It was distracting enough that Shego almost forgot her espresso.

"Are you sure you don't want some?"

"You talked me into it." Shego picked up her spoon and scooped up a mouthful of chocolate.

Shego brought the sweet morsel to her lips and paused briefly to take in the mouthwatering scent. She took a bite and closed her eyes as she savored the sinfully delectable chocolate. She might have let out an appreciative moan. She really needed to treat herself more often. All work and no play could make even her a dull girl.

Shego opened her eyes and was startled to notice a faint blush on Kim's cheeks. Mentally searching for a possible cause she realized she might have given Kim an inadvertent show. She felt absurdly pleased at being able to get such a response out of Kim, though she could feel her own cheeks flushing. She looked at Kim, challenging her with her eyes. Kim's sly cocky grin didn't waver. Shego picked up her coffee cup, using it as an excuse to look away. It occurred to her that perhaps this wasn't a fight she ought to pick.

They finished the dessert in companionable silence, slowly sipping their espressos. Kim signaled for the waitress. Shego felt certain she was planning on paying.

"We could go Dutch. I can report it as a business expense."

"So can I; I'm keeping you distracted, after all. I thought you liked spending other people's money. You made me pay the last time."

"I used to like taking other people's money." Kim wasn't wrong, though. She was usually only too happy to let dates treat her. Of course, letting Kim pay for her would imply she accepted her claim that this was a date, which it wasn't. "Well, I'll let you spend Uncle Sam's money for a good cause. Taxation is theft, after all."

The waitress brought the bill and Kim paid it. Shego collected her handbag and it delayed her long enough that Kim had time to move to help her out of her chair. Shego had to admire the smoothness of the maneuver, just a little. Kim offered her her arm. Shego decided it would be pointedly rude to refuse it, and she didn't want to create a scene. She played along and wrapped her arm around Kim's, letting her lead her out of the restaurant. Kim definitely kept in shape; she could feel hard muscles under her sleeve.

Walking arm in arm it occurred to Shego that they were almost the same height. The difference in her favor was no more than the height of her heels.

"You're taller."

"I'm still shorter than my brothers. And my parents."

"And here I thought you were all grown up."

"It's just a quirk of the genes."

"I was referring to the way you grumble like a petulant child. Our height is perfectly average for a woman."

"Well, I suppose we are a pair of basic, average women."

"I have superpowers."

"That's a remarkable coincidence." Shego lifted her eyebrow, and apparently Kim saw it, as she elaborated, "My girlfriend has superpowers."

"I'm not your girlfriend." It wasn't hard to see where Kim was going with that line.

"That's open to interpretation."

"No, it really isn't."

"Well, you know, establishing a starting point for a relationship is always a little arbitrary. I think when we'll look back to figure out our first anniversary, this night will definitely be a strong candidate."

"You're delusional."

"You're in denial."

Shego disengaged her arm from Kim's. "Listen to me very carefully, Kimmie. I am not into women."

"I think you're wrong, but it doesn't matter. I really only need you to be into one woman."

Shego reached into her handbag to retrieve her room key, seeing they were approaching her door. "Good night, Kimmie."

"Are you going to invite me in?"

"No. I have some paperwork to do." She was telling the truth. Kim had monopolized enough of her time that she was behind on some of her work.

"Sounds like a bore. Oh, well. Good night, Shego." Kim leaned closer, slightly pursing her lips. Shego didn't move. Kim looked into her eyes.

"No?"

"No. Thanks for the dinner. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Or in your dreams, maybe. Sweet dreams, Shego."

Shego entered her room and closed the door behind her. Her heart was beating hard in her chest. She didn't really want to think about paperwork. She wouldn't have minded sharing a drink and some conversation with Kim, if only the younger woman didn't insist on being so... so... aggravating.

This was going to be a long week.