Boilerplate Disclaimer: The various characters borrowed from the Kim Possible series are all owned by Disney. Any and all registered trade names property of their respective owners. Cheap shots at celebrities constitute fair usage.

If I Were Fortune

"What do you mean, she's dying?" Kim demanded.

"Widespread cell deterioration. She's exhibiting the classic instability symptoms of one of Drakken's clones."

Kim's throat felt dry, "How long…"

"I'll need more readings to chart progress. Less than a week, I'm pretty sure."

"But… But, you didn't see any signs of instability in her earlier scan… She's been fine for years… How could…"

In the tiny screen on her Kimmunicator Wade shrugged. "I don't know. My best guess is that Drakken had something he gave her to help stabilize her."

Kim glanced at Shego, who'd been listening carefully to the conversation, "Well?" Kim asked.

"He was always cooking. I mean, he never gave me anything and said, 'Here, eat this - your life depends on it,' but it would have been easy for him to slip me something."

When Wade charted the result from his later scans it suggested the end would come soon. He predicted, "Three days - tops. Maybe just a couple - she's going so fast it's hard to predict."

"Is there anything you can do?"

"Sorry, Kim. I don't understand Drakken's technology well enough to figure out his stabilizing formula. And there isn't time."

"Please, Wade, try."

"I'll try, but I don't think there's time."

The doctors left soon after Wade's diagnosis. Although they wouldn't admit he was right his words made as much sense as anything they could discover. Dr. Khalid took a blood sample for further investigation.

Kim hated the feeling of helplessness, she wished there was something she could do. She wished there was something she could say. She hesitated for a moment after the others left, then said softly, "Try and get a good night's sleep," and turned to the door.

"Stay for a minute, please, Kim," Shego requested.

"I don't-"

"Just sit for a minute." The redhead sat down on a chair near the head of the bed. Shego managed a small smile, "Bet you never thought you'd get rid of me this way, did you?"

"I never wanted to get rid of you! Okay, maybe I did want to get rid of you… But not this way. And since we found out what you are… I mean, who you are. I–"

"Thanks for treating me like a person and not a sack full of chemicals."

"That's not what I meant. Of course you're a real person. I meant, now that I sort of understand why you are the way you are. It's not your fault you're a thief, it was Drakken playing with your head."

"I wonder if I've ever been alive."

"Of course you're alive."

"Am I? My past is someone else's memories and Drakken's programming. I'm dying - and I'm not sure I've ever lived."

"You're not just Drakken's programming. And the memories are yours. Our memories shape who we are. You like working in the kitchen with my mom because it reminds you of working in the kitchen with your mother. You–"

"I don't have a mother."

"Yes you do. You can look at the in terms of genetics. She was your mother. Half your DNA comes from her."

"My DNA comes from a test tube."

"No it doesn't. It might have incubated there, but genetically you're Shego every bit as much as she is. Your memories of working with your Mom in the kitchen are your memories."

"Don't know how you can say that."

"It's easy. You remember what you did and–"

"They're not my memories!"

"Yes they are! They're real memories, and they made a difference in who you are. That means they're your memories."

"And Drakken playing with my head?"

"You always had an independent streak. You really mean to tell me you think you did everything exactly the way he wanted you to do it?"

"Hell no!"

"See? He may have influenced you. But you were still your own person."

"You really think of me as a real person."

"I sure do. If I used your vocabulary I'd probably say 'Hell yes'."

Shego gave a wan smile, "You and Rebecca." Shego stared up at the ceiling. She looked like she was thinking and Kim said nothing, waiting for her to speak. "Kim, I wasn't going to tell you something. But, what the hell, I won't be around much longer… I wanted to say I think I love you." There was a silence in the room. Shego looked over, Kim appeared stunned. "Almost told you back when I was staying here as Ms. Go, but thankfully Stoppable kept me from making a damn fool of myself."

"You can't love me."

"What do you mean, I can't love you?"

"You've got to know someone to love them."

"How much do you need to know? Okay, I lusted after you. Is that better?"

"But… But, you're straight."

"She's straight all right. Drakken must have thrown a lot of switches when he programmed me. Probably some kind of a disappointment for him, but his sidekick definitely preferred women… Not that I had much chance of getting out with any in my line of work… I… I always thought you were hot - even back when you were jailbait. The last few weeks here… I am getting to know you. You are... I just wanted to say thanks for everything."

"You're welcome," Kim said softly, not certain how to take the revelations.

"Could you kiss me?"

"What?"

"I've never been kissed. Little Miss Innocence has been kissed more than you might think – a lot more than Hego wants to think. I… I told you, didn't have many chances in my line of work. But those memories of being kissed… They aren't mine."

"But, I–"

"You don't have to mean it. I'll take a pity kiss. I just… Please."

Kim hesitantly stood and moved over to the bed. With one hand she brushed her hair back over her shoulder to keep it out of her face as she slowly leaned over. Her lips met those of the older woman. Kim felt slightly uncomfortable, but she could sense the desperate longing in the pale woman and responded as best she could.

"Thanks," Shego said when she broke the kiss. "A lot saltier than in my fake memories."

Kim fled back to her own room in tears.