A\N: double update yey! i will take a little vacation next week (i hope)
Chapter 25:Witnesses, Weirdness and a conclusion
A relatively young woman enters the room. Her black hair gets to her lower back. She looks… familiar. She sits and an officer gives her a file. I think we aren't going to start this yet.
I turn around to see Betty sitting beside Kim, the red head is talking to her Kimmunicator, and she looks confused and is asking further explanation from what I can barely hear from mi designated sit.
"Hello" a brunette says sitting next to me. My lawyer I suppose. He do is young. "Let revise the case now that we can-"
I have to give him credit for trying to win an already lost battle… and for sounding so professional even if I can tell he doesn't have a lot of experience. "Look…"
"Ethan, Ethan Miller" he extends his right hand and I look at him annoyed and amused at the same time. "Sorry!" and immediately extends the other hand.
I shake hands with him. "Look… Miller, just sit and enjoy the judgment like everyone in the room" I say nonchalantly.
"Excuse me?" he is confused.
I sigh "You'll get paid and this will be the shortest trial ever, so don't stress yourself over this… just try to reduce my sentence as much as you can"
"You are… giving up" he asks incredulous. "Will you plead guilty?"
"It is not giving up when you already know the outcome"
"Silence, Please" the judge says and the murmurs around us die down. "Let's begin... The suspect is accused for vandalizing, trespassing private property, small thievery, big thievery, resistance to arrest, supplanting, aiding an unstable scientist to conquer the world… and if we continue we would spent all day" she let out a soft chuckle "She has quiet a CV here" I can hear stiffened laughs form the back of the room.
"We would like to start with…" the fiscal try to start his argument against me.
… But the judge has other plans. "That won't be necessary" she says.
"Told you so" I told my lawyer who is confused by this development.
"Is miss Possible one of the witness to interrogate?" the woman asks the fiscal.
"Y… Yes ma'am" he doesn't seem to follow what is going on here… neither do I; but being a representative from the United Nations, nobody will discuss with her.
"Ok, then I would like to ask her some questions" it looks like she will be judge, jury and executioner... and fiscal. I can help but chuckle faintly at the fiscal's face. I bet he want to ask 'is she trying to do my job?' after all this can be the major case of his live and he is practically being shoved away.
After a few minutes Kim is sitting next to judge, fidgeting slightly on her place.
"Ok Miss Possible"The woman asks in an even tone. "How long has you know Shego?" isn't that as to informal way to refer to me?
"Almost five years" she says instantly.
"As crime fighter, Is she your nemesis?"
"… Yes"
"In the times you fought her. How would you describe her?"
It takes her a few seconds to process the question, I can see Kim is taken aback for this line of questioning and I have to admit I am too… only a bit. "Well…"
"Remember you are under oath, Miss" the judge says sternly. She didn't have to; Kim wouldn't be able to lie even if she wanted. I smirk.
Kimmie sighs tiredly. "She is…" she is trying to put her thoughts together "She is cranky and sarcastic most of the time, lazy if not for a fight, the most skilled opponent I have ever faced" you didn't have to praise me in front of so many people.Yeah that are things that not many people would take pride of but I do… even if I want to leave them behind"Prone to get angry "way to help me Kim."But -"
"Enough" you have to be kidding me? She was getting to the part where she does defend me. "In the five years you have fight her how many times have you put her in jail for several of the crimes she is being accused?"
Kim flinches slightly. Don't look so guilty it was your job. "Many times"
"How many times has she hurt you?" and now I am the one feeling guilty.This isn't how a trial is supposed to be done, is it?
"… a lot" she hesitate.
"I remember you again that you are under oath" Kim looks at her confused. I am damn sure Kim is telling the truth so why is she saying that? The judge sighs "I have a report here from your last mission, filled by many GJ agents and the current head of GJ too" she pats the small file she received before. "And it says that the woman here, who is accused for all these crimes, sacrificed her right arm to save yours and her daughter's life"I hear a lot of gasps and I am not sure if they are because I saved Kim's life or because I have a daughter; this isn't going as I expected it. I expected her to chew my head, scold me about my past, hear disinterested about all the crimes I committed and then sentence me with so many years she decided before getting in the room. "And you can say that the woman you have fought for five years would have done that?" Kim don't know how to answer, her eyes are roaming around the room.
Ok, now this is getting weird. There has to be catch somewhere. That question has to be some kind of trick.
"…No" Kim finally says and it hurts me. "The Shego I have fought for five years would never think of doing that"
"Then how is that you fail to recognize your own nemesis and let this woman face crimes that aren't hers" I know my mouth and eyes are wide open and for the sepulchral silence all the people in the court room are the same. "the same report says that in this mission the agents saw another woman who share the same features that 'Shego' in fact they report her as another Shego…" she pauses a moment "…Another Shego who was shot and whose body hasn't been found"
I remember Ami saying that; when the recovery team got to Joseph's lair they didn't find F8K anywhere. Ami and I were genuinely happy about that, because that meant she is alive… somewhere.
Then it strikes me and I don't know if my hunch is correct but even if it isn't, I think this won't be as bad as I thought.
"Still want to plead guilty?" my lawyer says smiling in a teasing tone, it looks like he is over the shock of the revelations the judge did.
SKP
This is madness… I doubt Betty… no, her men reported all that, mostly because Shego has been ridiculing them every time they crossed paths… But this is a chance I am sure won't waste.
"So, can you tell without any doubt that this woman is the responsible for these crimes?" the judge asks me.
I have to use all my willpower to not smile "No, I can't" it is truth because the Shego I have knew for almost five years and the Shego I now know are technically two very different kind of people.
Where the old Shego was cranky, sarcastic and mean the actual Shego is… well she still is cranky, sarcastic and mean but in a playful kind of way and has a lot of pluses like her tender and caring moments, her skills in the kitchen and…
"It is all, you can leave now" the judge's words got me out of my internal rant about how amazing Shego is… when she wants to. Uh oh…
I nod and get to sit with my family.
They are all wearing the same shocked expressions but it doesn't hide the fact that they are almost jumping with joy for this new and unexpected turn of events.
"Ma'am, this is impossible. There is no way that there are two Shegos" the fiscal says.
"No?" the woman asks innocently. "Then proceed with your… evidences" ohhhhh is she taunting him? Because that sound like taunting to me and I know about it.
And he started bringing evidence and witnesses of Shego's crimes, but they couldn't bring something concrete against or in favor of Shego. No one… until he brings Drakken from his comfy and personal cell from GJ.
"So Mr. Lipsky" The fiscal begin his interrogation with a smug smile. Now I am really worried, Drakken isn't the brightest person when it comes to deceive.
"It is Dr. Drakken" the blue man says.
The fiscal looks amused "Ok… Dr. Drakken" he paces "Do you know this woman?" he nods in Shego direction who, I can see, is tense waiting for the answer.
And finally Drakken says "No" leaving my family relieved and the rest of the people confused.
The fiscal struggle for words, he clearly didn't expect this. "Wasn't she your sidekick, the person who stole for you… your second in command" oh he is getting frustrated.
"Of course no!" Drakken snaps "No sidekick of mine would join forces with the other side" he looks insulted. "And even less Shego… my Shego wouldn't sacrifice herself for that brat" he says pointing at me. I don't like the sound of that statement and for the way Shego's shoulder tense, neither does she.
"Is it all, fiscal?" The judge says.
"There has to be some kind of error" the man babble "It isn't possible that there are two of the same person…"
"Actually it is" Drakken says absentmindedly "With cloning" the fiscal snorts "I did it once with Possible… but that wasn't my field of work so they were imperfect" then he looks thoughtful "But that man was a geneticist if I am not mistaken"
"what man?"
"Oh yeah, the one I went to help to conquer the world. He did appreciate my genius it is shame he isn't among us anymore" I have to admit Drew is a good actor.
"So the woman who helped you was…"
"A clone yeah it is highly possible in my line of work"
YEAH! Without Drakken's or my testimony there isn't a good base to condemn this 'Shego'.
"Is there someone else?" The judge asks.
The fiscal is fuming. Then his face brightens "…Dr. Director" He mutters.
I want to laugh on his face. He doesn't know that Betty will never testify against Shego?Oh right, he doesn't.
When she is sit the fiscal begin. He looks tired but hopeful.
"I understand you know the accused" he asks.
"Yes, I was her bodyguard in her days with GJ when she just got her powers" She says professionally. "In fact we were good friends" and more gasps are heard.
"And she escaped"
"Yes"
"And become a thief, right?"
She takes her time to think… no, to tease him because he cheers up a bit thinking she will destroy this charade. "I don't think so… I haven't seen her since then, well I haven't seen her until one or two weeks ago. I fact when we found out what Joseph was up to I helped her to hide her daughter in an orphanage and that was the last time I saw her" she says shrugging.
The fiscal grunts and sag in her sit. "It is all thank you" Bright man, with that declaration is obvious that he won't get anything from that woman.
When the judge asks him if he has more witness he looks at her incredulous. I swear I hear him say 'are you kidding?' but then looking at his paper he beams. Uh oh. I don't like this.
"Yeah I would like to call Hego to declare"
He has to call him! He is going to ruin this, he is one of the more tight ass self-proclaimed-righteous jerk I has ever known. If he didn't help Shego before he won't so it now that he has to lie under oath.
When he sits I see Shego's head hits the table in front of her… this is over! Our luck is over. He is going to ruin this, it was the best chance we had to get Shego's freedom and now this overgrowth bigot is going to tell the truth just because is the right thing to-
"No, she wouldn't" What did he say? "My sister wouldn't succumb to the dark forces…"
"But, when she disappeared you said-"
"I know what I said and I regret that" he is looking at Shego now "When I first heard about Shego going rough I was hurt by her leave… I was so blind that when that copycat appeared I thought the worst" he lower her gaze suddenly finding the floor very interesting "But when she shows to 'help' us against one of our former villains and she took all our powers to herself I knew she couldn't be my sister"
"I… I give up" the fiscal says dejectedly pulling his hairs with his hands and slouching down in his chair.
The judge chuckles. "Well, with all this evidence I don't think I have to ask the jury for their verdict, do I?" she asks.
The people in the jury exchange look confused and some amused but all of them shake their heads.
"Ok, then I declare the suspect…" ARGH! Can you speak more quickly please?"…Innocent" my family finally jumps from their places… all except Ami and when I get a closer look she is crying but with a big smile on her face.
SKP
I… I can't believe this. This mean I am free, right? I feel bad that my clone has to deal with my tumultuous past now but…
"However" the judge continues "This is an unusual situation and someone has to pay" crap! Don't rectify please, not now. "Due to your identical DNA and the fact that there is nothing in our law system that could bring me some guidance on this case; you are, at some level, guilty" Well, this is something did expected. But with all that has been said I don't think I'll got so much time in jail. "So… you have to refund the monetary value of the thieves your clone has committed" she smiles… no she smirks at me "I am sorry but; your DNA, your responsibility" and she hit her desk with her hammer.
"Congratulation" my lawyer says.
But I am in no condition to reply, this is a dream come true; it is incredible.
I turn to look behind me. All my family is smiling at me; Ami, Betty and Ron are crying freely; Anne, James, Kim, Jen, the Wegos and Mego are barely containing the tears and I am sure I am too; and…
Hego is smiling faintly at me, he turns around and gets out the room with all the other people.
I am sure it was hard for the big ox lying under oath. Thanks Hego. I think it is time to let the past go. But I hope he won't expect me to go back to Team Go.My brothers still are annoying.
SKP
The room is empty now, only the people close to Shego is here, all but Hego. Who would have thought he would lie for her sister? I didn't expect it.
Shego is still there looking at the ceiling, I think she is still catching up with the fact that she isn't a wanted woman anymore.
She turns and look at us with the brightest smile I have ever seen. It warms me up and makes me feel butterflies… she looks so beautiful… could be that I have a cr-
"Mom!" Amadis joyous cry makes me look at the source of the cry. Before I know it she is attached to Shego and soon the rest of them are too, congratulating her.
Then we lock eyes and I blush, I am at a loss of words.
I take some steps towards her until I am only inches from her. The rest of our friends and family gives us space.
"Sooo, you are free now, eh?" argh, dumb Kim, of all the things you could say!
"It seems so" she replies nonchalantly.
Come on Kim, you can do this. Say something, something that can convey what you're feeling now. But what am I feeling right now? I am happy beyond words; euphoric, you could say. But what this means?
After all we've been through this last year I can say that I really like this Shego… no, now that I think about it. I liked the old Shego too but in a sisterly way and now… how do I like Shego now?
Before I can say something she walks away telling "I have to do something, I'll catch with you on the exit" leaving us a bit confused.
SKP
I swear I saw her, I can't be mistaken.
I run for all the building until I get to the service stairs. I go down and get to the building pipeline.
It is like a deserted alley with pipes all over the walls. I see a silhouette a bit ahead and I see… the judge?
I smirk. It looks like I was right. "Playing the good Samarian now?" I ask.
"You are late I thought you would find me hours ago, you are getting old" the woman press a button on his belt and I am met with my reflection.
"Jokes apart. Why did you do help me?"
"Help you? Don't make me laugh" it is like that how Kimmie see me every time I smirk at her… I admit it is a bit unsettling "I only did it to collect what you promised me" I tilt my head to the side in a questioning fashion. "You promised me freedom if I helped you"
Oh I remember now.
"Come with me"
She looked between him and me. She seemed to ponder about it for a moment "I can't" she said dejectedly "There would be nothing for me if I do it"
"There would be a lot more than you think" She looked at me expectably to hear what I was telling her. I could see her gaze full of hope. I extended my hand. "Freedom"
"You got shot, you didn't help me" I tease her. "Really, how is your wound?" I ask concerned.
"Hey, more respect here. I did save your daughter's life" she said faking hurt. "… don't worry, the bullet didn't touch a vital organ and is healing well"
"Good to hear" then we fall in silence.
After a few minutes she speaks again "That time, you implied you could give me a life" she says softly. "So I am taking your word up" she smirks "And I am taking your life"
"That is why you take the blame?"
"Mostly" she says with a shrug. "but after all he put you through, your daughter deserve to be with you"
"She is yours too" I say absentmindedly. "I mean… you have my DNA so you are like her aunt or something like that… If you want to be" I look away a bit embarrassed.
She is shocked by my word but soon get over it and beam at me "Really?"
"Yeah" then something occurs to me. "Hey what about the real judge, what if…"
She chuckle smirking evilly "Don't worry about her, she will wake up with a bad hangover and all the memories about the trial" when she looks my questioning gaze she continues "Don't stress over it, I have a very good contact helping with that… well I have two, you must know them"
"Shego!" I hear Kimmie's voice.
"I think I have to go" The clone says turning around to leave.
"Hey… Faux" I say instinctively and she turned around. "Don't be a stranger and come visit some time I am sure Ami would appreciate that… I promise not to call GJ on you"
"How did you call me?" She asks. I think that was the only think her brain registered.
I smirk. "You don't want to stain my recently cleaned name, do you?" I say "Faux means fake like you previous name 'name' F8k" then I smile "Only Faux sound way better"
"Shego, are you there?"
"A minute" I shout back and when I turn around she is gone.
When we get out the sun is shining and so are all the flashes from the press which are blinding me again.
They are asking about the trial and the weirdness of it, or about my clone, or what I have been doing while the clone took my identity.
Suddenly a flash of green explodes in front of us, making an aperture for us to walk.
All the eyes go up to the roof of the court and there is the most wanted woman in her trademark catsuit smirking at us. She is sitting on the roof edge nonchalantly.
Amadis gives a relieved sigh.
"Hey you!" she shout to a cameraman. "Why are you crowding her like she is so important?She is just a woman clinging to my fame"
And so the reported go to her "What are you doing here?" one of them asks.
"I just were walking by and hear about the trial of the century" she said mockingly. "As if those idiots could catch me"
I hear people whisper 'she do is Shego'
"I am not that smug!" I mutter indignantly.
"Yes, you are" all my family and friends say at the same time.
SKP
When we get home we all are getting ready to go to a celebration dinner, mom obviously went to change. I have to agree with her, orange is so not her color.
I am already ready; one of the advantages of being a 'kid' is that I don't have so many problems about my wardrobe.I am wearing a yellow spaghetti-strap dress… the only one I have. I feel constricted in them.
So I turned the TV on.
"Well there is no point in hide the truth anymore" I hear mom's clone being interviewed. It must have happened after we left. Sirens are heard in the background "Remember this well because the most wanted woman's real name is…" she stand up in the roof and do a flip falling in front of the journalist. "… Faux" It sounds cool. And then she sprints and jump over police car while getting away.
"You ready?" Anne ask me.
Kimmy and mom are standing together both in cocktail dresses, Kim in a black one and mom in green one (figures), Dr. P. is wearing a suit and Anne is in more simple white dress, the man has an arm around Anne's waist and the twins are fidgeting in their little tuxedos.
"Yeah" I answer "Let's go"