- Explanations and Confessions.
A while later, Hench Co was raided by Global Justice's agents, all personal getting arrested and the computers and various stuff dismantled, except the Attitudinator, since Hego considered it a very dangerous device and destroyed it bare-handed right after finishing the fight. While the agents worked, Angelica sat at the building's stoop with Tommy, Chuckie, and Teams Go and Possible around her, hearing her explanation, including how she placed the villains' communicator in a half-hidden way at the warehouse so Team Possible could find out where she and Team Go were taken.
"So, you basically tricked a villainous organization by your own?" Ron asked the girl when she finished, who simply nodded in response, the boy getting his excited face immediately. "Boo-yah!"
"Cancel the 'boo-'… whatever!" Mego groaned at Ron before snapping at Angelica. "You darted me! And you didn't even give me a chance to defend myself!"
"Well… remember how you complain about your power being underestimated? The thing is, the bad guys realized about some of its advantages, main one being you're hard to catch; couldn't risk having an open battle and you shrinking to escape." Angelica grinned slyly at the violet hero.
"Oh… well, now that you mention it, it's cool that someone realizes about my real capacity, even if the ones doing it are bad guys." Mego got a proud look.
"Angelica, you should have told us." Tommy said to his cousin, he and Chuckie sitting aside her.
"He's right; we could have come together with a safer plan, or maybe even helping with yours… that was actually very good, now I think about it." Kim said to the girl as placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I know, but there were a few details. First of all and no offense to Team Go, but you guys aren't exactly fitted for sneaky maneuvers and complicate plans." Angelica said to the four heroes before pointing at Chuckie and Tommy. "And I know my boys; smart ones, but not exactly good at lying."
"She has a point there." Chuckie admitted.
"Yes; I wink my eyes a lot when lying." Tommy sighed.
"And about telling you, Kim… Shego told me something about keeping an eye on her enemies, so probably was also watching you and Ron at some point. Couldn't risk her finding out; it would mean no contract, no deal, and next time she visited me, no Angelica." The blonde gulped a little bit. "Besides, when she tutored me, I learned a lot about my powers, and could help Finster and my cousin with theirs; she actually taught us the ways to defeat her and Mister Hench."
"Don't love the irony?" Kim chuckled a little bit. "Okay, I get it; you did all this to protect yourself and your loved ones; that's understandable."
"Yes… even I didn't realize how much I care about them until having a flaring fist in front of my face."
"Well, I respect that, but you still did wrong!" Hego frowned at her, "Your arrogance almost made us evil henchmen, and were this close to costing your life and Chuckie's here!"
"I'm… sorry." Angelica looked down for a moment until Chuckie and Ron placed a hand each on her shoulders and faced Hego.
"She risked her life with a dangerous villainess on an almost daily basis for several days without any of us covering her back; I would call this girl a hero anytime and place!" Ron said as pointing at himself. "And look the serious face; no kidding here."
"As for my beating, I'll gladly be Angie's human shield whenever needed, so not blaming her." Chuckie said with all honesty, he and Ron gaining themselves a little smile from Angelica that the Wegos noticed;Wendell got a little sad look when noticing the smile Chuckie received was very different from the friendly one she gave to Ron, yet smiled slightly after a moment.
"I know, but… you were dishonest, deceptive, sneaky and malicious!" Hego pointed at Angelica, who simply shrugged at him while Tommy and Chuckie chuckled.
"That's our Angelica; but we still love her." Tommy smiled at his cousin, who did the same in reply.
"But… honesty is vital for superheroes!" Hego folded his arms in an authoritarian way, Angelica frowning back at him.
"If you're so much into 'honesty', why don't telling everyone about the little chat you and Violet Guy had the other night concerning us joining the team, even if he doesn't like us at all, just because of your team's sake?"
Hego and Mego gulped and paled visibly as everyone else gave them an intrigued look.
"What is she talking about?" A Wego asked his brothers.
"Uh, well, the thing is…" Mego started rubbing his neck while Hego suddenly found his feet pretty interesting.
"I heard you two; was at the kitchen taking my nerves' medication, namely some milk and cookies… so better confess!" Angelica smirked at the duo, "Funny enough, your sister was a lot more honest than you two; that's why I trusted her to stick to her word if doing what she asked."
Hego sighed and placed a hand on Mego's shoulder, nodding.
"Care to explain, Hego?" Kim arched an eyebrow at the blue hero, who gave a fast summary of the conversation he and Mego had that night, the cheerleader frowning at Hego when finishing. "If remember right, the deal was just preparing them in case they had to defend themselves, and only making them heroes if wanting to."
"You're kind of disappointing here, dude." Ron folded his arms, just like Rufus sitting on his shoulder.
"Look… you guys don't understand. Our team used to be great… really great, but after Shego left we hit hard times; sure, I'm the responsible one, but she was the one that kept us focused and played the common sense person's role. And… when you three appeared… can't believe how excited I was!" The blue man said to the trio. "Suddenly, we had everything to become the best heroic team ever, and I don't just mean it from the super powers' angle; good leadership skills and a natural talent for group dynamics," Hego looked from Tommy to Chuckie, "undying loyalty and a good amount of common sense," and finally looked at Angelica, "and… someone as witty and tough as our sister; it was just too good to be truth!" Hego beamed yet his smile disappeared almost immediately. "But… I got so excited and eager to become a superhero when getting my powers it shocked me you three didn't want doing the same, and thought that maybe could…"
"Convince them somehow, or making them to think it was the only option they really had." Kim ended the phrase. "Okay, first of all… how you were supposed to have them in your team if they live hundreds of miles away?"
"Uh… I was considering either getting them a mini-jet or maybe Angelica would carry them." The blue hero rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hego, we aren't old enough to drive a car, and want us to pilot a jet?" Tommy arched an eyebrow at the man.
"And guess what? I'm Golden Angel, not American Airlines!" Angelica groaned at Hego.
"And forget about us moving to Go City; we have families and friends at home and can't leave them. Since we started training at the tower I've called my family every day, and still miss them!" Chuckie pointed, the blue man getting an embarrassing grin.
"Well… considering you were joining our team for the sake of greatest good, thought that wouldn't be a great sacrifice."
"Hego, no normal kid wants to be separated from his/her family. Besides, you can express your opinions and influence people's thoughts in a positive way, but forcing your point of view isn't the best thing to do." Kim sighed.
"Yes, I mean, do you think I would bring Rufus to the missions if he wasn't willing to help? He does it because we're buddies and we support each other, and would never force him doing something doesn't want… unless it's a life-threatening situation, but in those cases he actually offers to run that risk." Ron said as petting Rufus' head, the little rodent smiling all the time.
"See that, Hego? A rat gets more respect than me!" Mego groaned at his brother. "You're always bossing and forcing us! Had you ever stopped to think someone else might have a better idea than you, almighty leader?"
"No offense, Mego, but, as much as I agree with some things you said, Hego is the only one in your team that qualifies for leadership." Kim pointed, getting a little glare from Mego.
"What? He's so stubborn and manipulating and bossy… I would be a much better leader!"
"That's your first problem." Chuckie told him. "Most real leaders don't ask for that position, they get to deserve it; why do you think Tommy is our gang's leader even if he's one of the youngest? Because he makes us do the right thing, and cares about everyone around him." Tommy couldn't help but giving a little smile to his friend, who turned to give him the thumbs up.
"I do care! Really! I care a lot!" Mego complained as Kim gave a good look around; luckily, most agents were working at a good distance from them, so the conversation was more or less a private one.
"Maybe, but your brother show it and put the team's welfare before his all the time… even if not always in a correct way." Tommy sighed as standing from the stoop and looking at Mego while pointing at Chuckie. "Why do you think he stood in front of my cousin to protect her, even if knowing it would be painful?"
"Because he cares about her; that's pretty obvious," Mego groaned while Chuckie and Angelica gave each other a discreet glance.
"And why do you think Hego always stands ahead of you when facing a villain, comes with those long speeches, and leads the charge in battle?"
"Because he loves the spotlight and that's the 'heroic' way." Mego gave his brother a dirty look.
"Maybe, but also because he cares; he can do something you and the Wegos can't."
"Oh, yeah… he has super strength." Mego folded his arms in annoyance.
"And can survive serious damage you and the twins wouldn't take; don't you see it? He offers himself as a living target so the villains attack him the first and the worst!"
Mego wide-opened his eyes and turned back at Hego, who was looking down again, while the twins and Team Possible looked back and forth between them.
"You… you really…"
"Mego, your power can be pretty useful at times, and the Wegos are an army on their own, but… I can take more damage than any of you, and my job as both big brother and team leader is to protect everyone. Just like Chuckie did when… our sister attacked him and Angelica, I'll rather get a beating that exposing you unnecessarily; the only exception is when we have a plan with minor risks, like when we fought Gill and Eco Loco at the rooftop… and you know, those kind of plans usually were more Shego's stuff than mine."
Mego got a stunned look, and found him self speechless for the first time in ages until one Wego poked him.
"When you and Angelica got kidnapped… faked kidnapped in her case, of course," the red hero gave a fast glance to the blond girl, "Hego's first thought was saving the both of you; he rather allowed Eco Loco to escape and let two rookies handle Ram than letting a villain hurt you."
Mego looked at his younger brother, and then at Hego, who was still avoiding eye-contact with him. Kim cleared her throat, and stepped in the middle of the brothers.
"Maybe this is what Team Go needs to really be great; it's not about getting more members, but being a real team. Nothing is better than a good partnership, except when it evolves into something more beautiful." Kim gave Ron a fond look he replied with a similar one. "And you guys are family; if can't count on each other, then on who?"
The group remained silent until hearing the agents taking the main villains out from the building.
"Kim Possible; you think you're all that, with your super-powered friends, and your buffoon… but you're not!" Drakken yelled at the cheerleader as being dragged by two agents. "You hadn't seen the last of Doctor Drakken."
"We know; fight you almost twice more than all the other villains combined." Ron rolled his eyes while Rufus chuckled.
"Maybe should have used more than one dart on him; that way he would remain asleep a little longer." Angelica shook her head; after Tommy shocked Drakken and the henchmen around him, the girl used the rest of her darts on them, just in case. At that moment, Jack Hench got dragged as well, him giving the heroic group a hateful glare yet saying nothing.
"If you're taking me to jail, please, throw me at the dirtiest, most nauseating cell!" Eco Loco was carried by just one guard while another walked next to him aiming at the villain with soapy water's spray. "And aim that thing somewhere else; never know when shooting by accident!"
"Water isn't so bad, trust me." Gill, bruised, smoked, and transported inside a special cage, said to his former boss before spotting Ron. "Oh, you're so going to pay for this, scweeb... you and the electro-kid almost cooked me!"
"See the bright side, dude; smell delicious!" Ron joked. Gill was about to reply when sniffing the air, the mutant groaning and sitting at the cage after doing it.
"I so hate when you are right."
A moment later, Shego got transported out of the building in a Hannibal Lecter-like way, including some special gauntlets to block her powers, and around twelve agents guarding her besides the three ones moving the woman. Chuckie and Angelica moved closer to each other, feeling a lot safer, especially when Shego turned her very bruised face at them; however, she wasn't showing any hate, and instead seemed kind of relieved, especially when looking at Kim and muttering something nobody could really hear but the cheerleader understood clearly.
"You're welcome." Kim smiled slightly.
"She thanked you for stopping her, right?" Hego whispered at Kim, who nodded at him, the blue man sighing in relief and giving the cheerleader a little smile. "You saved her from herself; thanks to that, my sister isn't a murderer… I'll always owe you that, Miss Possible."
Once Shego got moved into a special armored car, an imposing eye-patched woman walked towards the group, an agent following her closely behind, the man trying to hide an obvious annoyance.
"Doctor Director, Agent Du; good to see you; thanks for coming so fast." Kim saluted the woman, Ron, Team Go and Rufus doing the same; the trio mimicked them after a moment, realizing she was a high-ranked agent.
"You have nothing to thank, Miss Possible." Director replied after saluting Kim back, "The information your friend Wade provided us is all the evidence we needed to put Jack Hench out of business; not to mention the files we got will allow us imprison several crime lords and dismantle various dangerous weapons and devices, even before they get built."
"But don't think we're that happy!" Agent Will Du added in a kind of harsh tone, Dr Director rolling her only eye at her best agent's display.
"Agent Du…"
"I'm sorry, Doctor, but some of the tapes we got are damaged, and it will take a while to restore them… if that's even possible!" Du complained.
"Actually, guess that's my fault; I messed with some cameras to cover our entrance, and maybe did it by accident during the fight. Sorry," Tommy/Dynamo apologized, nobody but Chuckie and Angelica noticing his winking eyes; actually, even if Tommy really messed with some cameras, it was Wade who altered the tapes the most, covering all the times Kim or anyone else called the trio by their real names and some other details to protect their identities. The techno kid even erased all files concerning them before sending the information, in case anyone could use that to either find out the trio's secret identities or ways to neuter their powers.
"And that's another thing, I mean, three unauthorized super-powered beings running around without supervision…" Du's rant got cut by Kim.
"I'm supervising them, Agent Du, so any problem you have, can discuss it with me."
"Of course I'm doing it! Who else would be so…"
"Agent Du, please, restrain yourself from finishing that phrase, or I'll pretend whatever Miss Possible does in reply didn't happen." The woman gave the agent a stern look. "And sorry to say this, Agent, but need to remind you our simulators and experts had calculated your chances to defeat her in hand-to-hand combat are less than 30 percent?"
"Want to test that for real, Du?" Kim smirked playfully at the agent, who groaned slightly while recovering his formal attitude.
"As you order, Doctor; now, if you excuse me, have to do some REAL agent work." Du saluted the woman, who nodded at him to give him permission to leave, something he did immediately.
"Please, excuse him; Agent Du had been working on Hench's case for a while now, and guess didn't take fine that a group of… independent law enforcers did it way faster."
"Actually, most of the credit should be for Golden Angel, our undercover hero." Kim pointed at Angelica.
"So undercover even us didn't know she was," A Wego whispered to Ron, making the blond boy to chuckle. Doctor Director gave Angelica a good look, and then to Chuckie and Tommy.
"New members of Team Possible or Team Go?"
"We… hadn't really decided, Mrs., but we owe a lot to them; can say they are our mentors." Angelica replied while the boys nodded and Teams Possible and Go got proud looks.
"Anyway, you did a great job." Dr Director gave the trio a little smile. "I'm almost sure we'll be hearing about the three of you pretty soon; and is my imagination, or you crime-fighters keep getting younger with each generation?"
"Is the cereal; all those vitamins the makers add to it make us grow faster." Chuckie joked before his stomach growled. "Boy, why I had to mention food?"
Everyone around Chuckie got a little chuckle except Angelica, who placed a hand on his shoulder while smiling at him and then looked at the spy woman.
"My friend needs some extra calories once in a while; guess you secret agents don't carry hamburgers among your stuff?"
"No, we don't," The woman smiled as taking out a cylinder and giving it to Chuckie, "but I always carry a high-protein drink; my job doesn't allow me getting a good meal whenever I want."
"Just what the doctor ordered; thanks." Chuckie gave a good sip to the beverage, "Mmm… chocolate and banana; and it has a little bit of cinnamon."
"Good tongue you have there, kid." The woman said before saluting the heroes again. "Have to leave now; you have a vehicle, or need a ride?"
"Just to the private air field two miles north from here; the owner owed me a favor, and we landed Go Jet there." Kim said before whispering at Hego, "We had to borrow it; Wade turned off the security system and flew it from his place."
"Don't know if should be annoyed or impressed." Hego shook his head yet got a little smile.
"Uh, Kim, if Wade can do so many things," Chuckie said as finishing the beverage, "you think he can find a donuts place or a pizzeria around here? This drink is good, but isn't going to be enough."
Kim chuckled at the geek's comment yet took out her Kimmunicator to contact Wade while Ron helped her in the Global Justice's van.
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A while later, at Go Tower, everyone was getting ready to sleep, Kim and Ron included. Since it was pretty late when they finally arrived, Hego offered Team Possible to rest at the tower, something they really appreciated, and, after they and the trio called home to tell they're fine (Tommy, Angelica and Chuckie's families and friends were a little worried since they hadn't called all day), made the sleeping arrangements. Luckily, Kim and Ron always carried a special expandable sleeping bag (another of Wade's inventions) in case they had to rest away from civilization during a mission.
"Sure you don't want to sleep at the bed, Ron?" Tommy, he and Chuckie already in their pajamas, asked the blond boy.
"Nah, it is okay, dude; I like this sleeping bag." Ron commented as setting it next to the bed, "but Rufus likes sleeping in a pillow, so if you have no problem…"
"Nope, not at all; come here, Rufus." Tommy smiled at the rodent as Ron gave it to him. Rufus got a little grin before running down Tommy's arm, shoulder and back, and getting comfortable at the bed's pillow.
"Where did you get Rufus on first place, Ron; from an animals' trainer?" Chuckie asked as placing his own sleeping bag next to the room's door.
"Nope; Smarty Mart; and Kim still wonders why I like the place that much." Ron chuckled. "Hey, Chuck-Man, don't need to put the sleeping bag that far from us… unless you snore or have some other nasty sleeping habit."
"Actually, he talks asleep," Tommy told Ron, "but he always sleeps there to not waking me up when he gets out of the room at 2 or 3 in the morning."
"Maybe I'll oversleep this time and wake up at 4." Chuckie half-joked, "My body is still a little sore."
"Yes; you really scared us, Chuckie." Ron, a lot more serious, replied to the boy as Rufus nodded from his place.
"It was a close one… and don't want to get any closer any time soon." Chuckie sighed before looking back at Tommy, "Did I thank you for saving my life?"
"About ten times at the van, and a couple more while you were wolfing down those donuts." Tommy rolled his eyes yet got a little grin. "And I already told you, no need to thank me; you're my best friend, and I'm happy you're fine; besides, you saved my cousin's life, so, in my book, we're even."
"You're welcome," Chuckie said as getting inside the sleeping bag, "and I'm glad my power was useful; wouldn't be able to stand anything bad happening to Angelica."
"You and me both, Chuckie," Tommy replied as covering himself with the blanket. "Funny how someone that can give us so many problems and bad moments can be so important in our lives."
"Yeah," Chuckie sighed. "And she can be so… great at times… most of the time, actually."
"You should tell that to her, Chuckie." Ron commented, "I'm sure she will appreciate it."
"I know, but… what if not?" Chuckie shook his head and closed his eyes.
"You two are pretty obvious, friend." Tommy said, "Look, if the only thing stopping you is the whole 'not-dating-the-relative-of-a-friend' rule, I have no problems, really, and I'm sure Dil wouldn't matter."
"Thanks, but… well, you know there's certain thing that can't help but having."
"Fear of rejection." Tommy, Ron, and Rufus chorused.
"Come on, Chuckie, you just saved her life; I doubt she would reject you." Tommy told him.
"But then she would do it just because of gratitude, Tommy, and I would like the real thing; and let's be honest; in the best case scenario, Angelica only thinks about me like a friend she can prank, tease, boss and insult whenever she wants." Chuckie pointed. The blonde boy sat at the floor, inside his sleeping bag, and looked at the geek, who had opened his eyes to look at the ceiling.
"Dude, trust me, as much as you can fear rejection, living with the doubt is far harder; I have been there, and it wasn't nice." Ron explained, "Kim is my best friend since, well, forever, and when I realized my true feelings for her, was very nervous and hesitant to tell her because was afraid it would ruin our friendship. I tried to date other girls, and did my best to support her when was crushing on other boys, but was fooling myself; Kim is, and will always be, the top girl in my heart, and when I finally got the guts to confess… it was great, really. I love her as you guys have no idea, and as clichéd as it sounds, every day she gives me new reasons to love her even more."
Chuckie listened at Ron's speech and sighed, staying silent for a few moments before standing up and opening the door.
"I… think the donuts weren't enough; I'll take a little snack… don't wait for me, and rest, okay? G'night, guys… and thanks." Chuckie gave his friends a little grin before leaving and closing the door behind him.
"He'll be fine." Ron yawned as getting ready to sleep.
"Hope you're right; most of the little time he sleeps I hear him saying her name. You know, it's nice to have someone playing big brother on us for a change." Tommy chuckled slightly as placing his head at the pillow right next to Rufus.
"My pleasure, T-Man; the Ron-Man's voice of experience is always at his friends' service." Ron replied in his trademark goofy tone, Rufus and Tommy rolling their eyes yet smiling at the blonde's answer. "So, Tommy, since I'm becoming good at giving romantic advice… any thing you might like asking me?"
"I think you already said enough, Ron, thanks." Tommy said, "I might… fight my own fear of rejection when getting back home."
"Lil?" Rufus patted Tommy's head, a little grin in the rodent's face.
"Yeah, you're right, Rufus," Tommy replied happily before wide-opening his eyes. "Oh, my… guess Dil's wackiness is rubbing on me; I actually start to understand rodent language."
"Welcome to Weird Village." Ron joked.
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"Thanks for the sleeping bag, Kim." Angelica, in her pajamas, said as setting the sleeping bag at the floor, very far away from the bed.
"No problem, but really, I'm used to sleep at the floor and even over soil when going on missions at the jungle; you can have the bed." Kim said to the blonde as taking off her gloves and shoes.
"Kim, after what happened today, I'll rather not touch the same bed Shego used to sleep; just being at her room gives me chills."
"Point taken; I feel kind of weird myself." Kim admitted and then looked at her roommate's face. "Want to talk about it?"
"No, not really; besides, Susie is my personal psychiatrist." Angelica half-joked, but got back her serious look, "And… thank you for helping us today; if you hadn't stopped Shego…"
"You're welcome." Kim placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "And I must say you impressed me a lot; it takes a lot of brains and guts to perform a plan like that."
"It was good, except for…" Angelica sighed and got teary eyes. "I almost lost him, Kim; one of the persons I care the most, and put him in danger; of all the things he could face, he had to go against one of the few ones that can finish him, and just because of me."
"You do more than care, right?" Kim whispered to a nodding Angelica. "You should tell him."
"I… I don't know… I can talk, and talk, and talk about almost anything; some people think I need a switch to shut me up… but… I can't tell him."
"Look Angelica, maybe I'm the worst one to give any advice about this, but you can learn from my mistake; it took me several years to realize and admit my feelings about Ron, and when thinking about all those silly crushes and romantic mistakes when could had been enjoying the real thing, well, I just want to knock out myself."
"But Kim, you just met me a few months ago; don't know the kind of relationship I've had with him all my life, and trust me, it hadn't been as nice as you and Ron's. Basically, I have insulted, humiliated, fooled, bullied, and bossed him in every single way can imagine… well, I've been that way with practically all my friends and my cousins, but he has received it tenfold; how can expect him to have the same feelings I do?"
"You know how he acted when we broke inside Hench Co?" Kim asked the girl, who shook her head slightly. "He practically had no fear, shyness, or clumsiness; the scaredy cat was totally gone, and the only thing left was a tiger… one ready to do anything to save someone he thought was in danger, and to risk his life to protect. And that someone was you."
"That's another thing; I can't believe am saying this, but… he's just too good for me. I don't deserve having him as a friend, and even less as something more."
"That is something you two have to discuss and decide, Angelica," Kim looked at the blonde in the eye, "and if I'm right, he might be just as nervous and confused as you."
"That wouldn't surprise me." Angelica got a little grin. "He worries about everything… and for everyone."
"And besides, the whole 'girl-bullying-the-boy-she-secretly-likes', well, that only works if the girl grows a unibrow and the boy has a football-shaped head." Kim joked, making the blonde to chuckle. "Seriously, that might work for little kids, but as the thing gets older, it stops being funny and starts being pathetic."
"Yeah… I mean, what kind of girl would keep doing that when she's supposedly mature?" Angelica shook her head and laughed at herself, something she barely did but, this time, certainly enjoyed.
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As Angelica mentioned the last words, someone, in Middleton, arrived home after a wild all-night party.
"Thanks for the ride; hope my car gets repaired soon." Bonnie yawned as walking down her friend Tara's car.
"No problem, Bonnie; you really shined tonight." Tara replied in her usual cheerful way.
"Well, after that… incident at the corridor had to do something to remind everyone I'm still the Queen Bee. Good thing Possible and Stoppable weren't around; must be on one of those missions of theirs."
"Bonnie, really, should stop messing with them. Kim and Ron aren't that bad… actually, he's kind of cute."
"Yeah, right," Bonnie rolled her eyes as approaching the door. "Good night, Tara."
"G'night, Bonnie." The blond cheerleader waved bye to her friend while Bonnie finally opened the door; luckily, her parents were on a vacation of their own, and her sisters were invited to another party, so she was home alone and nobody heard her sighing sadly.
"Cute… Tara, the guy is more than that!" Bonnie smacked her forehead and groaned, "Stoppable, adorable weirdo… why you couldn't be a popular guy? Then I would be the one dating you and not that Possible! As if she hadn't been besting me in almost everything, she now is with the only boy I have liked since Elementary! Possible, you're such a…"
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"A-choo!" Kim sneezed.
"Bless you."
"Thanks; hope I'm not getting a cold." Kim said before yawning and getting comfortable. "Well, better get some sleep now."
"Me too," Angelica stretched and got a thoughtful look for a moment, "You know, I just got a craving for milk and cookies right now."
"You already ate a donut on our way here."
"And downed it with a cappuccino; besides, I like a good cookie as much as Ron loves nacos." Angelica stood up and walked to the door, "Want something?"
"No, thanks; I usually don't eat at bed."
Angelica opened the door and got a surprised look when finding Chuckie, holding a glass with milk and a little dish with cookies, right out of the room.
"Finster?"
"Uh, hi, Angie, Kim," Chuckie turned to look at Kim before focusing back at Angelica, giving her a shy smile, "I went to the kitchen for a little snack, and thought you girls would like something."
"That's a… very nice detail from you." Angelica replied with a little smile as well, while Kim got an amused look.
"You know, Chuckie, Angelica was about to go to the kitchen for a snack as well; why don't you guys go to the tower's main room and eat together before sleeping?"
"I… would like that." Chuckie stared at Angelica for a few seconds, she staring back as well before slightly shaking her head to clear it.
"Sure, why not? Just because you're Mister Insomnia and I have a craving doesn't mean we have to keep our roommates awake." Angelica replied before getting a weird look. "I said that?"
"You're becoming more considerate." Chuckie chuckled slightly.
"Never saw that coming." The blonde shrugged before walking out of the room and grabbing her glass, "Come on, let's go; good night, Kim."
"Good night; don't stay awake too late… and that includes you, Chuckie; even you need some sleep." Kim said to the duo, the geek nodding at her before closing the door. The cheerleader got a little sly smile as taking out her Kimmunicator and hoping Wade wasn't sleeping yet.
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"I have to say it; you make pretty tasty sandwiches, Finster." Angelica commented the geek as finishing with the good sized slice Chuckie sliced for her from his large sandwich. The duo was sitting at the living room's largest coach finishing their night snack.
"You're welcome; sorry I finished with most of the cookies yesterday, but it seems my appetite keeps growing." Chuckie said as taking a last sip to his own glass. "Maybe I should start having drinks like the one Mrs. Director gave me; it wouldn't be so different from making a smoothie."
"Yeah, guess you need to recover a lot of strength after, you know…" Angelica got an uneasy look, Chuckie noticing it and sighing while placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Angelica, I'll not lie to you; that had to be the scariest thing I've ever experienced."
"I suppose… I mean, the way she attacked you…"
"No, that was the most painful experience, and disliked it a lot, but not the scariest." Chuckie's words surprised the girl, as the boy looked away, "the scariest one, well… was almost losing you."
Angelica got a slightly shocked expression before getting a little smile and sighing.
"Funny you mentioned it… because almost losing you was my life's most frightening experience as well." The girl and boy looked at each other and couldn't help but blush a little bit.
"So… everyone says we're kind of obvious." Chuckie rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yes, and maybe we are; but there's one thing that isn't obvious. Why would you have this kind of… feeling towards me?"
Chuckie took a deep breath as placing his glass at the room's table and then looked at the ceiling while Angelica stared at him.
"Remember when I told you about the way you still scare me? Well… most of my life, whenever you had been around, I felt my throat drying, my heart beating faster and harder, chills going down my spine, and incredibly nervous and clumsier than usual, something I obviously didn't like. And last couple of years I had been feeling the same, but now… I also have a warm feeling in my chest when it happens, and the whole sensation… I like it, a lot, and when we're like this, getting along instead of arguing or our usual 'bully-victim' roles, like it even more, and the warm feeling overpowers all the other ones. I even had been thinking that maybe, except for some times I'm sure you really scared me, those sensations weren't fear but something else I confused with being afraid; not so hard since that's my natural state." Chuckie chuckled a little bit at the last part before returning to his more serious talking.
"And now I think about it, why shouldn't I feel this way? Sure, you're bossy, self-centered, and short-tempered, but, as I already told you, one of your talents is turning those 'flaws' into assets… as you did to fool the villains," Chuckie turned to smile at the girl, "and besides, that's part of your charm; I can say there's never a dull moment with you around. You're smart, witty, funny when you want to, resourceful, strong-willed, and, except maybe for Tommy, you're the most determined person I've ever known. If we add the fact you're such a beautiful girl, and, when you turn down your defenses a little bit, can be so nice and caring, well… let's just say it's extremely hard not having strong feelings for you."
Angelica looked at him, speechless, before sighing and looking at the ceiling as well.
"And here I thought you were terrible at keeping secrets."
"Guess nobody can be around you without picking up a thing or two." Chuckie shook his head and got a slight sad smile, "It had been kind of hard not telling this to anyone, but you know how fear practically commands my life; I was afraid you would beat me or laugh at me if saying this, and it would be logical, I mean… clumsy, geeky, with enough phobias to fill up a psychology book; not exactly a good catch, especially compared with the popular guys you had felt attracted in the past. Even with my powers, I hadn't changed that much, and someone like you is way out of my league."
"You're right… and also wrong." Angelica started talking, getting Chuckie's full attention. "True, when we were little kids, considered you a friend I could prank, tease, boss and insult whenever I wanted."
"I'm developing telepathy?" Chuckie thought yet said nothing as Angelica continued.
"And you know, I liked that because, well, it was funny, and you always forgave me and never really seemed to get angry or have hard feelings… actually, most of the times you got brave enough to stand against me were because you were protecting a friend, and never for yourself. Back then, I kind of took that attitude as the one of a silly, dumb, spineless kid who would always accept my authority, even if arguing me at times, which only made the whole thing funnier." Angelica shook her head. "And that's where I was wrong; you never held a grudge against me not because of weakness, but because you can't hate people; be angry, yes, but you had never had such a mean feeling as hate. And, as we grew older, I finally started to realize how many good qualities you have; I just wish hadn't been so thick-headed all these years to realize it before and show you more of the respect you deserve… instead of trying to do everything for my personal fun and popularity's sake at cost of your self-esteem." Angelica shook her head while smiling sadly, and then took a deep breath to continue. "Finster, you're loyal, kind, honest, compassionate, protective, sharing, funny, helpful… and despite my 'dumb' insults, truth is you're as smart as me, maybe even more, just in a different way. And well, you're no movie star, but actually aren't that bad in the looks' department; even before getting the powers and started getting some fitness you still had… have that kind of cute geeky look not even the most handsome popular guy can compare with."
The blonde and the geek looked at each other, the boy getting a surprised yet happy face as Angelica continued.
"You said I have kindness in me… I'm not used to it, but guess I have some after all. The same thing happens with you; under that geeky look, and the chicken-like attitude, there's the heart of a tiger, but not a destructive, fierce one, but a tiger who only wakes up to protect and help, and has the most noble and kindest soul I've ever met. And as you like when I show niceness, I feel so proud of you when you're being brave… even when you do it to fight back my insults."
"You said I was out of your league? In terms of popularity and looks, of course, but, in about everything else, even if you didn't have your powers," Angelica looked down, "you're the one who's too good for me."
Chuckie then took Angelica's hands, and they looked at each other for several seconds before he talked.
"You make me braver."
"You make me nicer."
"It would be a little… cliché if we say IT?" Chuckie said, getting a little smile Angelica replied with one of her own.
"Yes; very out-fashioned."
"And what about if instead of saying IT… we demonstrate?"
"What do you…"
Angelica was cut by Chuckie's arms around her waist and his lips connecting with hers, the girl almost shocking at the contact before she reacted and passed her arms around the boy's neck and kissed him back, the duo breaking contact after around sixty tender, warm, and beautiful seconds.
"I said it; you make me braver." Chuckie whispered as giving the girl the fondest look she had ever seen while caressing her cheeks.
"You weren't kidding." Angelica, her hands at Chuckie's shoulders, replied with an equally fond look as well until her playful smirk appeared. "But don't expect me to be Miss Niceness all the time."
"I already expected that." The boy laughed a little bit as the girl got her usual sly grin. "You know, that smile always makes me nervous… in both the good and the bad ways."
"Let's just say my little twisted mind just had another idea that needs your collaboration. Get a good breath, Finster, and hope that sandwich gave you enough calories because you'll need them."
The duo took a deep breath and then Angelica kissed Chuckie; this kiss was a lot deeper and passionate than the previous, something he immediately realized and started kissing back with the same intensity. The girl's aerial lungs got to work, and the kiss started prolonging more and more, to the point she would have made any other boy to faint due lack of oxygen… that is, until the orange glow activated and Chuckie felt his body receiving an energy boost and every single drop of oxygen being used to the max, so he didn't faint and held his position. Then, in a subconscious way, probably due Chuckie not wanting to break the kiss, he transferred a little bit of his glow to Angelica, as he did when healing her, so they could keep doing their stuff a lot longer. Eventually, they reached their limit, and broke the mouth-to-mouth contact, the duo gasping and falling on each other's arms.
"That… that was…" Chuckie tried to talk between breaths.
"Yes… and then… I…" Angelica made an effort as well. The couple then looked back at each other, and grinned widely knowing only one word could describe what they just experienced.
"BOO-YAH!" The duo laughed and embraced tightly.
"Feeling old-fashioned?" Chuckie said when controlling his laughter.
"No, but it would be retro." Angelica chuckled before they stared at each other's eyes and chorused the most sincere and hearty phrase any of them had ever said.
"I love you, Angelica/Chuckie."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
At Shego's old room, Kim was sitting at the bed and looking at the Kimmunicator's screen, a mixture of slyness and happiness in her face.
"That's so sweet!" Kim smiled.
"That's one way to say it!" Wade, who had connected the device to the tower's cameras, replied in a quite impressed tone, "I timed the last kiss; 12 minutes and 40 seconds!"
"No way," Kim wide opened her eyes in surprise before looking back at the scene and recovering her amused face. "No wonder they're so tired; just look at them."
Kim and Wade kept silence as watching Angelica and Chuckie getting comfortable at the large coach, and she falling asleep while hugging each other, wide, calm smiles on their faces, and Chuckie giving the girl a last tender kiss at her forehead before he fell asleep in her arms as well.
"You think we should…?" Wade arched an eyebrow at Kim, who shook her head as getting comfortable at the bed, the cheerleader holding up the Kimmunicator while lying.
"No; knowing Chuckie, he'll wake up before anyone else and carry Angelica back here, and if not, I'll wake up early so Hego doesn't surprise them and give a lecture they don't deserve, at least for another two or three years. They're in love and not doing anything wrong, so why not?"
"Okay; I'll turn off that camera and get rid of the tape, just in case." Wade smiled slyly at his friend. "This is kind of sneaky from you."
"Chuckie said it; nobody can be around Angelica for long without picking up something." Kim shrugged. "Besides… I can do anything, isn't it?"