They finally made it to Shego's car. Kim hadn't said anything during the walk over; now, she felt compelled to do so.

She cleared her throat as Shego was strapping herself in with the seatbelt. "I had a good time tonight." She turned to smile at the driver.

Shego smiled sheepishly as she unconsciously rubbed the back of her neck. "Me too. Sorry about my brothers, they tend to speak without thinking sometimes..."

"It's all very flattering, though. It's nice." She paused and chuckled. "Is this how they try to set you up with someone?"

"Technically, they weren't trying to set us up since, well, we're already sort of..." What exactly were they doing? Dating? Shego cleared her throat and didn't miss the look of amusement in Kim's eyes. "Anyway, those two like to speak their minds... Actually, all my siblings do, now that I think about it."

"That's fine. It's better to be straight to the point sometimes."

"Something we're both not doing," muttered Shego. She liked Kim. A lot. And she was scared of what might happen if she spent more time with the redhead.

Whether Kim had heard the comment or not, she didn't show any sign of it. Kim just took Shego's free hand and held onto it as they drive out of the parking lot.

"So where do you want me to drop you off?"

"My car is still in the office parking lot, so of you can drive me back there, that'd be great."

"Sure."

The rest of the drive was quiet. Neither spoke as they both stole glances at each other every now and then.

By the time they arrived at the Middleton Daily parking lot, Shego noted that a few office lights were still on. It was ten o'clock.

Kim fidgeted in her seat before speaking. "I really did have a good time tonight. Your brothers remind me of mine... I don't see them often because they're living in California, but I'm sure mine would get along with yours since they're into messing with gadgets and inventing new things."

Shego smiled. It was good they had things in common; they would have plenty of things to talk about. "I had fun too. They used to be brats but they've grown up."

"Makes you feel old, doesn't it? My brothers were like that too - they're still mischievous when they visit home... Launching rockets and stuff in our front yard." Kim laughed at the memory of her brothers launching a small toy rocket that ended up in her neighbour's garage when they were 12.

Shego grinned. "Are you indirectly calling me old?"

Kim blinked before she realised what she had said. "No! I'm just saying that we're both... Oh... I guess I am? If it's any consolation, I'm old too!"

"Twenty eight isn't old."

"Then thirty three isn't old either."

They both laughed.

Kim checked her watch. Ten thirty. Time passes quickly when you're having fun, she mused.

"Oh, do you still want to talk to Wade? He's still in the office."

"From what you told me earlier, it seems like he lives there..."

"He does, sometimes... He just loves staying up and doing other work here."

"And you don't mind? He's basically moonlighting from what you've told me..."

"I've known him for many, many years so it's ok. Besides, he loves his job, so I'm not too worried about any legal implications of him moonlighting. He's actually freelancing with Middleton Daily too."

"But why stay overnight in the office? Sounds like a nerdlinger to me..."

"I have no idea what you just said. Nerdlinger?"

Shego nodded. "It's what I call computer geeks... Uh, I hope you're not offended."

"I'm not, but he might be." Kim chuckled. "He stays overnight in the office because his mom wanted him out of the house. He has his own apartment but he'd rather be near his work." Kim sheepishly added, "And he's our 24 hour go-to guy in case anything happens to our network and website."

"I hardly think anyone would mess with a newspaper network."

"Oh, that's where you're wrong. Since I've inherited the paper and set up the site, we've had hackers try to get in and change the front page of the site five times. Wade is great since he's built an impenetrable firewall, so they haven't tried anything in a while."

"But what's the point of hacking a newspaper's front page?"

"Control of the media? Spread vicious lies or just to promote a certain worldview that might brainwash a generation..." Kim sighed. "It's just ludicrous why people do these things because we do try to promote a neutral view of the news we present... But some just choose this as a way to annoy me personally."

"You? Why?" The second after Shego asked that, she instantly regretted it. She saw pain flash across Kim's face momentarily before the redhead shook her head.

"Story for another time, I suppose."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"I'm actually surprised you don't know, given that I apparently do have some sort of reputation here." a reputation that was viciously slandered after her last relationship. No, don't think about it, Kim thought to herself.

"I read the paper, but I don't really like rumours or gossip. Besides, I don't give a crap about politics." Shego softened her gaze. "Don't feel like you have to tell me anything. I won't think less of you if you don't, but I want you to know that I like you just the way you are right now."

Kim felt like a puddle of goo. Of all the people she dated, she never heard such sweet and kind words, so she naturally turned crimson at Shego's proclamation.

"Thanks" was all she could say before unbuckling her seatbelt, leaning over, kissing Shego on the cheek, and then getting out of the car.

Completely forgetting about going inside to talk to Wade, Shego just sat in her seat, in shock, as she stared at Kim's retreating figure.

Author's Notes: Cheesiness? Check.

Fluffiness? Check.

Playful banter for no reason at all? Check.

Happy readers? I hope so!

12 chapters and still no first date? What am I doing? :P

Chapter title is from "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars.