A/N: Many thanks to my esteemed colleague Joe Stoppinghem for beta-reading this one for me. I think things went well enough that I will continue to employ his services for as long as he is willing. Thanks a million, man!

The Strange Life After

Chapter 8: Mistake

Ron awoke in the early hours of the next morning to unfamiliar surroundings. After moment's reflection, he remembered while sitting up and looking around. 'Oh that's right! So… This is Shego's apartment…' It was a nice setting, if a tad too Spartan for the tastes of the blonde youth. After a few moments, he was roused from his grogginess.

"Morning Stoppable. Sleep well?" Shego asked, rounding the corner into her living room wearing only a beautiful deep green silk bathrobe with black trim.

"Like a baby, as a matter of fact," Ron replied, stretching while barely managing to keep his eye contact, rather than fully take in the rare sight before him. "Which is strange, since I fell asleep in pain all over…NOT helped by this couch feeling like a torture rack."

"Interesting choice of analogy. Never would've pegged you as being into that," the raven haired host teased, watching with satisfaction as her target blushed.

"C'mon, give a man a break! I just woke up, and here you are already embarrassing me."

"You don't get any breaks until I get an explanation for last night," Shego replied sternly. "One minute you're fine, if a little too worked up, the next you look like death warmed over."

"If I had to guess," the blonde guest answered. "It's probably my deadweight acting up. When I was younger, Wade installed a microchip in my neck so that if I was ever in trouble, Kim could find me. Well, it's long since been deactivated, but somehow it got fried in my wreck the other night. Nurse said if I get too stressed, it could cause some pain, since it's hooked to my nerves."

"Well, it probably got fried by my security system at the firm," Shego replied. "There is a digital fence in place that kills any un-tagged hardware or software coming into the building; I activate it along with the rest of my alarms when I leave."

"That explains it …" Ron rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, before bringing his palm to rest on his deadweight. This was not lost on Shego, who immediately stalked over and began scrutinizing the area.

Of course, she soon asked the obvious question. "Why don't you just take it out?"

"Gee, you know? I never thought of that" Ron deadpanned. "The Doctors didn't want to risk doing permanent damage, since it's directly tied to so many vital functions. I could call Wade and ask him to, since it's his design. I mean, he put it in, so he can take it out. But to be honest I just don't feel like I could deal with anything KP-related right now."

"Too bad, cupcake," Shego said simply. "Part of growing up is facing your problems head-on. You've gotta deal with it somehow, even if it means talking to Princess. It can't be good for your health having that thing just sitting in there, waiting to make you sick."

"Shego? Are you, of all people, concerned for my well-being!?" Ron snickered.

"Only in as much as it prevents you from being useful. You're not reliable on jobs if you could break down at any moment," Shego answered, sounding miffed at his jest.

"Nice try." Ron replied with a grin. "But I was fine on the last job in spite of this," he tapped the offending object. "So unless you plan on getting me worked up again over a meal, I'll be fine."

"Well, I got all the info I wanted about you and Kimmie, so I don't think we need a repeat performance…" 'Although I'm sure I could come up with better ways to get you "worked up.' Shego thought with a smirk. Realizing what she had just implied and shaking her head at the thought 'Where the hell did that come from?' Then continued, "But that doesn't mean you should neglect your health, either."

"Yes, Mom!" Ron replied sarcastically. His employer mockingly gave him a slap.

"I am in NO WAY old enough to be your mother. And anyway, you already said you want to sleep with me, so I guess that makes you a little kinky, huh?" she snickered evilly.

Ron's face matched his ex-girlfriend's hair for a few moments before he returned fire. "Well, you certainly look a hell of a lot better than any moms I've seen. There's a word for that you, know…"

"MILF?" Shego offered, clearly enjoying the teasing verbal spar.

"Well, I was gonna say 'Goddess', but…" Ron could swear he saw her blush slightly at that, but if she did, it was gone as soon as it appeared.

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Stoppable" Shego countered. "Call your friend." She turned to exit, only for Ron to get up and follow.

"What happened to the first-name basis we were on yesterday?" Ron chanced.

"Well, it's not exactly fair if you don't know mine." She held up her index finger to cut him off. Then added, "Which I am NOT telling you," with a backward glance.

"Aw, come on! We're getting along so well!" Then Ron made a show of pinching his arm. "Nope, I'm awake."

"I know what you mean," his employer said. "This entire situation is weird beyond belief. Who would have thought you and I would be working together?"

"Well, it was your idea," the blonde boy reminded her. "Which reminds me, isn't private security fairly lucrative? How much money do I still owe you after our last job?"

"None," Shego responded flatly. "In fact, I owe you about fourteen thousand, now."

Ron's jaw nearly hit the floor. "And why, pray tell, haven't you told me before this?"

"You didn't ask," Shego smirked. "Besides, you can't tell me you haven't enjoyed yourself these last two days. Free food and drinks, VIP clubs, great workout, lots of money…" she paused in mock-thought. "Excellent company" she finished.

"Well, yeah…" Ron conceded reluctantly. "It's been a welcome distraction, but you still should have told me, Shego."

"Are you trying to scold me right now, Stoppable?" she replied, feigning offense by pressing her right hand to her chest. Then, more seriously, "Does this mean you're quitting? I've got nothing to hold over you any more…" she trailed off.

"I'm considering it" Ron said first. "But wait… I know that tone…you want me around." He paused, brought out his big smile, then continued his realization, "Don't you?"

Shego looked mildly put-out. "So what if I do? You're useful."

Ron beamed, then began teasing, "You're gonna miss me! You're gonna to miss me! The great and powerful Shego is going to miss me, the lowly Ronald Dean Stoppable! Ha-ha!"

"Your middle name is Dean?" Shego responded, reluctantly allowing herself a chuckle at his antics.

For the second time that week, Wade Load received a call from a former field member of Team Possible. Upon seeing the identity of the caller, Wade was on alert.

"Ron! Do you have any idea how worried Kim has been?" Wade started.

"Oh, I'm sure…" Ron drawled sarcastically. "She seemed real concerned about how my life was going the other day."

"Ron? What the hell happened with your proposal? And more importantly, where have you been? Where are you now?"

"Kim's cheating, Go City, at my job" Ron answered in order.

"Wait! From the top: Kim's cheating? That…doesn't seem likely, man. She was really broken up when she realized you had run out."

"Uh huh…" Ron responded, pretending indifference.

"And why the hell are you in Go City? That's a whole state over, man. And, you mentioned a job? Since when?"

"Since I came to Go City and got work at a Private Security Firm. Which brings me to why I called: you've got to get this microchip outta my neck, man. It got fried by a security system and now it's just painful deadweight making life difficult."

"Okay, I can do that, but I'd better let Kim know you're alright" Wade said.

"Is she reeeeally that concerned?" Ron asked with confusion in his voice.

"Yeah man, she's really worried, worse than I've ever seen her. She calls me at odd hours hoping I've found something on your whereabouts."

"Fine. Go ahead and tell her where I am. But I doubt hearing her side is going to change much," Ron said dismissively. "Now, the chip…"

"Oh, that. It's as simple as opening the skin, and cutting the nerve endings around it. It'll hurt, bad. But when that's done you can just cauterize the nerves and skin and things should heal up alright."

"And a doctor couldn't do this, why?" Ron said out loud.

Wade looked puzzled for a moment. "You went to a doctor about it?"

"Long story Wade. The short version is: I had a vicious run-in with a worthy opponent. I'll tell you another time, promise."

"If you say so…Anyway, a doctor could have done it. It's a simple medical procedure. But I doubt anyone would try it without knowing the exact nature of the chip. Too many variables to account for, unless they were to consult me," Wade explained.

"I see…alright, well thanks for your help Wade. Oh, while we're talking, I don't suppose you could pull some of my Naco funds for me? I'm running a little low on cash, waiting for my first paycheck and all…"

"Sure, Ron. How much are we talking?" Wade asked, rising his list of Ron's accounts.

"Well, I'm currently out a vehicle, so…I don't know man. Use your best judgment" Ron said, stroking his chin in pretend-contemplation.

"Okay, but you do know this isn't gonna be a one-hour operation?" Wade reminded him. "It's gonna take me a few weeks to pull enough for a decent meal, much less enough for a new vehicle." A new thought struck the young genius. "Wait a minute, what happened to your bike?"

"Totaled. Part of the same long story. Answers will come eventually man, I promise. Scout's honor" Ron answered nonchalantly.

"Okay…well, how soon are you gonna need this money, Ron? I can't just sit by and watch you scrape through with the clothes on your back" Wade said, voice weighted with concern.

"Well, I'm in kind of a tight spot man…I can survive without it. My boss is kinda bankrolling my meals and such at the moment" Ron admitted, embarrassment coloring his features. "But some self-sufficiency would be nice, so ASAP, preferably."

"Done" Wade replied smugly.

Ron was confused. "What do you mean, 'done'? I thought this was gonna take a while?"

"It is" Wade conceded. "But I just wired you a little money from my savings. Consider it a loan. I'll just get it back from your accounts once it comes in."

"As much as I hate to rip-off Kim's catchphrase, I'll go ahead and say it: Wade, you rock. In stereo."

"I know" the young genius replied with a grin. "But it's always nice to hear it. So, now that I've helped you with your problems, what should I tell Kim? I cannot stress enough how worried she is, man."

"If KP really has talk to me, she knows where to find me now. No calls. If we're gonna fight this battle, it's gotta be in person" Ron answered curtly.

Wade nodded in agreement with concern in his face.

"Oh, and Wade, don't tell her that I know she was cheating. I want to confront her with this myself. You understand."

"Yeah, I guess I do. For what it's worth, I'm certain that there's been a mistake somewhere here. I just can't picture Kim doing that to you. Especially not with how frantic she is with worry right now. But if that's what you want, so shall it be."

"Thanks Wade. I'll call you sometime soon, yeah? Maybe we'll talk about something other than business."

"I'd like that, Ron. See you later."

'For every question this answers, a new one presents itself…' Wade thought exasperatedly as the call ended. He set about calling Kim shortly thereafter.

"Wade! What's the sitch? Please tell me you've found him?" Kim asked, the bags under her eyes betraying her worry.

"Actually, I just heard from Ron" he said, cringing from the expected shouting. He wasn't disappointed.

"WHAT!? Where is he? And why did he run off?"

"The 'where' is Go City, apparently" Wade began. "I don't know the details, but I guess he has a new job there, some kind of Private Security work. As for the 'why', well…I think he'd rather tell you that one himself. I'm guessing there's been a mix-up somewhere along the way, but he seems more than a little pissed at you. I asked why, but I didn't press for any details he didn't offer. This is between you two, I'm just the messenger" he finished with a grimace.

"Say no more. I am there yesterday. Thanks a million, Wade. You rock in stereo!" Kim finished breathlessly.

"Wait! Kim, you need me to get you a—" The call ended almost as fast as it had begun. "-–ride…?"

"Alright, now hold still…"

"Gah! It's so tight…"

"I know, but it'll be worth it when we're through."

"Ah—OW! I just didn't think it would be this tight."

"Aaaand I'm in!"

"Okay, so now you've just got to move back and forth slowly until it loosens up—"

"I know how it's done! This isn't my first, rodeo, Stoppable…there! It's out" Shego said triumphantly, holding the newly liberated deadweight in her palm.

"Okay, awesome, now can we finish this up? It kind of hurts having my nerves exposed like this," Ron complained.

"Patience is a virtue!" Shego teased, before returning to work. She lit her fingers slowly and deliberately, whilst kneading each nerve between them, cauterizing the ends as neatly and carefully as she could manage. "I still don't see why you didn't just go to a doctor for this…"

"Doctors ask questions, and I don't particularly feel like a Q&A session" Ron answered, as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, this is the LAST time I agree to something like this," Shego responded irritably. "I'm not your personal surgeon…there, I'm done."

"Alright!" Ron stood up and felt around his neck, dismayed to find an area that was simultaneously hot to the touch and textured like Paper Mache. "I'm guessing this is going to leave a scar?"

"Oh yeah, big time," Shego responded, filing her nails. "Told you I wasn't a surgeon, but look on the bright side, at least you have a scar to tell stories about. They're great conversation starters in my experience."

"Oh, really?" Ron replied slyly. "You have a lot of scars? 'Cause I can't see any…"

"Nice try, kid" Shego responded without looking up. "You are NOT taking a 'closer look'."

"Yeah, I didn't really expect to…but a guy's gotta try, right?"

"There's no harm in trying" Shego stated flatly. "Just so long as you understand that you will NEVER, and I do mean that in the most final sense, succeed."

"Oh, you'll come around eventually. The Ron-man's got the one thing ladies can't resist."

Shego raised an eyebrow in mock-anticipation. "Oh really? And what would that be?"

"Charm," Ron stated matter-of-factly, folding his arms over his chest with his trademark grin.

Shego had to work hard to suppress a chuckle. "You couldn't charm your way out of an execution, so what makes you think you can charm me?"

"I love how you phrase it in such a way that execution is a more attractive option…"

"As compared to me? Pfft. Let's just say you would have an easier time at the Salem Witch trials than getting into my good books."

Ron feigned sadness. "Aw, and here I thought I was already in your good books. I mean, you haven't attacked me since my first day."

"Not for lack of wanting to," Shego jibed. "But you're more useful in one piece, and in any case, I just attacked you the other night when we were drunk, and you woke up no worse for wear. So I doubt I could faze you too much anyway, now that you've recovered from my building's 'vicious attack'."

"Hey this building is a worthy opponent! Big, tough, and able to withstand punishment. Of course, it's not as fun to look at as its owner, but…"

Shego stood up and stalked towards him, stopping just a few inches short of his position, definitely getting in his 'personal space'.

"Ron Stoppable, I daresay you're getting a little too comfortable here" Shego drawled. "Asking for favors? Joking about damaging the building? Flirting excessively with your employer?" She drew out the first word for as long as possible, and punctuated each 'grievance' with a hard poke in the chest. "You'd never even know that you started out working here because you were forced."

"Well, you know, I'm pretty adaptable" Ron said quietly, leaning in slowly, and stopping centimeters from his employer's face. "Mostly because I know how be the distraction, and how to keep myself…distracted," he finished, forcing his lips on hers roughly.

Shego hadn't been kissed in a while. So it is not surprising that it took her a brief moment to realize just what the hell was happening. Although to be fair, the bigger reason for this, was that she was simply too stunned to react for a second. After all, this was Ron Stoppable, sidekick to her old rival, who had been barely a blip on her radar until a few days previously. And even when he had been noteworthy, back when she was working with Doctor Drakken, she had never imagined that he would possess the backbone to pull a stunt like this. She pushed him away roughly after a second.

"What the hell was that?" Shego demanded. It was mostly of a rhetorical question, but the answer he supplied her with was possibly more shocking than the event preceding it.

For what must have been a full five minutes the two stood there in silence, sizing each other up, although Ron appeared more shaken by his actions than her. Finally, he shook his head, looked her in the eyes, and answered.

"A mistake," He stated simply, before grabbing his jacket and making a hasty exit.

In his remote island lair, a mysterious villain was NOT pleased.

There were a variety of reasons for this, but currently, the target of his anger was the hapless receptionist on the other end of the phone line.

"We have been at this for over half of an hour. So, I will repeat myself one. Final. Time" the man stated, grinding his teeth together. "I demand an audience with your employer. Do not tell me that he is not in, as we both know that the esteemed Doctor does not leave his lab except for public appearances, of which none are scheduled today."

"I'm sorry, Sir, but Doctor Lipsky is a busy man. I can't just patch you through because you say your matter is important. I can take a message for the Doctor, that's the best I can do."

The villain gnashed his teeth once more before submitting. "Fine" he grumbled. "Tell Doctor Lipsky that it is imperative he meet with me as soon as possible. I have some…information, of a rather sensitive nature, regarding his former assistant." He paused briefly, before adding "It would be highly beneficial to his public image."

"Oh. Well in that case, I'm sure he will see you as soon as he can. May I have your information?"

"Aaron Xander. That's the 'who'. The 'where' should be simple enough for him to figure out. Tell him these coordinates. Latitude is roughly fifteen degrees north, longitude roughly seventy-one degrees west. He'll know exactly where I am."

"Very good sir. Have a pleasant day."

"Likewise" Xander offered, hanging up in frustration. He calmly walked over to the nearby table and chairs, picked up one of the chairs by the legs, and threw it full-force at the nearest window, listening to the resounding 'crash' with some satisfaction, before running his hands through his hair, threatening to tear it out in his anger.

"Nothing can ever just be simple" he grumbled. "It's like trying to talk to the Goddamned President. The man is a scientist, not a politician. Why does he even need a Secretary?" He leaned against the wall of the lair, sagging down until he reached a sitting position. "Unbelievable…every second wasted is a second that this boy gets closer to ruining everything!" He stood slowly, and resumed pacing.

"Soon…soon, everything will fall into place."

A/N: The plot thickens! DUN DUN DUN. What is this mysterious Xander's plan? And why does he want Drakken's help? How many questions will I pose without answering them? Haha

So, thanks again to my beta-reader, Joe. You did great, man!

Look for the next chapter sometime in the next few days, folks. R&R, please!