"You guys are so..."
"So... What?" asked Kim as she drove to St. Jude's.
"So hesitant with each other. You're way too formal with her. You guys don't even have pet names for each other?"
Kim shook her head. To be young and carefree again, she thought. "We're both like this. I see nothing wrong it."
"Man, Kim, don't act like a tightwad all the time. I know you were hurt pretty badly but it doesn't help to show a bit more affection for your girlfriend."
"I really think everyone's different with these sorts of things. Not having pet names doesn't mean I'm not showing her any affection... Besides, it's not a 'wham-bam!' relationship. I'd like to think we're both looking for something long-term, so it takes time to get to really know someone... With or without the pet names. Regardless of how formal you think we are, I think we're close..."
"All right, I'll get off your case about this. I'll see when I meet her."
Kim nodded. While it was nice to have Hana to talk about her relationship, she didn't like it when people were judgemental about the relationship before meeting Shego and getting to know the older woman for who she is. She pulled up to the curb outside St. Jude's and told Hana to sit for a bit. "I'll be right back with some food and we'll head up to the apartment."
Kim was gone for maybe five minutes before Hana heard a beeping sound. It was Kim's cell phone. She looked at the caller display and saw the name "Sheridan."
Do I pick up or what? Kim's not here, she thought. If she didn't pick up, Shego might think Kim was avoiding her. If she picked up, she had no idea what to say. Well, in the end, I'm going to meet her anyway, Hana thought.
"Hello."
Shego pulled the phone from her ear. Was this Hana? Why is she answering Kim's phone? Did something happen?
"Hi... Are you Hana?" Shego asked hesitantly.
"Yep, Kim went into St. Jude's to grab some food, but she left her cell phone in the car." For further clarification, Hana added, "With me."
"Oh, ok. I was just calling to let her know that I'm done work... And I guess I'll be coming over."
"Ok." After a pregnant pause, the girl on the other end added, "She's told me a bit about you... I guess we'll finally meet."
"Yeah... Kim's told me a bit about you too... I hear you make a mean tiramisu."
Shego heard the girl on the other end chuckle. "That's my least favourite thing to make, but Kim really likes it."
Shego smiled. She could imagine Kim pouting for tiramisu. "Haha, I think she might get you to make one while you're here."
"Oh, I totally expect it to happen. Oh, ok, Kim's got the food... Huh?"
Shego heard a muffled conversation and then Kim's voice speak.
"Hey, just got the food. I guess it was a good thing I got enough for three people."
"Yeah, I was just calling to let you know I'd be over."
"Ok, sounds good. See you in a bit-"
Shego smiled as she heard Hana shout "See ya!" before Kim ended the call.
Shego pulled up outside of Kim's apartment. She was a bit nervous, but not as nervous as when she met the Doctors Possible. Kim only really mentions that Hana was Ron's sister who was studying abroad.
Now that she thought about it, she and Kim didn't seem to have that many friends outside of work. So this would be the first time that Shego would be meeting someone she wouldn't run into every work day.
I wonder what kind of girl this Hana is, she thought as she took the elevator up to Kim's suite. Is she perky? She sounded kind of chipper over the phone... Hopefully not the annoying teenager type... Those really annoy me, being all naive and oblivious about the world... But I guess she must also be a tough kind of girl, having lost her parents and only brother at such a young age.
Shego knocked on the door. She heard the shuffling of feet on the other side and saw a tall black-haired teen giving her a look-over.
"Hana, don't be rude and let Shego in."
The teen blinked and put out her hand. "Hi. Hana Stoppable."
"Sheridan Godeaux," replied Shego as she shook Hana's hand. "Except everyone generally calls me-"
"Shego, right?" The teen stepped aside to let the older woman enter the apartment. "You know, I sort of expected you to be a bit... Mean-looking."
Shego raised a brow. "Mean-looking?"
"Yeah, kind of like this face you're making right now... Sort of like a look of disgust, but still classy..."
Kim laughed from inside the kitchen. "You're so rude, Hana."
"What? I'm just trying to get a feel of what Shego's like. Is that a crime?"
Shego was bewildered. Hana was crass. Really crass. "And who are you to judge who I am?" snapped Shego.
"See, Kim? This is the kind of spunk I expect from your girlfriend," laughed Hana.
Kim walked out to where the two were and put a hand on Shego's arm. "She's just joking with you... I think. You know how teenagers are."
"In all seriousness, I was kidding, Shego. It's nice to meet you."
Shego crossed her arms. "You sure didn't seem like you were joking. Are you like this to everyone you meet for the first time?"
Hana shook her head. "No, only to whomever Kim goes out with-"
"Hana!" hissed Kim. "I'm not a child that needs coddling. And you shouldn't really judge Shego based on appearances."
"You need someone to look out for you," interjected the youngest woman. "How can you be sure that Shego-"
"Hana. Stop." Kim pinched her brow and sighed. "Can we just eat? The two of you can interrogate each other later. All of us have had a long day."
Hana was about to say something and then closed her mouth. "Ok," she mumbled.
Shego raised an eyebrow and gave Kim a questioning look.
"Let's just eat, ok?" Kim took Shego by the hand and led them all to the dining table.
"You know, Shego, you're not bad," said Hana as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"You're not bad yourself, just a bit rude," muttered Shego.
The three women had spent the night just chatting (after Shego got over the fact that Hana was blunt and simply rude with some of her questions). Kim was cleaning things up in the kitchen, leaving Hana and Shego to talk things over.
"Regardless of how rude I am, I've gotta ask... Why Kim?"
Shego blinked. "Why Kim?"
"You seem like someone who could turn a few heads, if you get what I mean. Why settle for someone like Kim?"
"One, it's not really settling if we're just two people who are similar in ways, and two, she's really supportive and caring."
"...and that's all you need in a relationship?"
"Apart from trust and loyalty, yes. Look, Hana, I'm not sure how much Kim has told you about me, but I come with emotional baggage that Kim's been able to get me through. And I'd like to say the same about me and her situation... But I'm not sure."
"This is the happiest I've seen her in months, Shego. I didn't mean to offend you with the question... I just wanted to see how you would respond to it." Hana smiled.
"Oh," replied Shego.
"Don't get me wrong, I'd still whoop your ass if you hurt Kim. I know some kung-fu moves that would make you wish you never crossed paths with me." Hana looked wistfully in the kitchen where Kim was drying the dishes and said, "She's basically a sister to me, even with the whole deal with her family taking me in after my parents died, and I don't like to see her hurt. But you? You're good. A lot better than what I imagined."
Shego raised an eyebrow. "Better than a mean-looking bitch?"
"Shego! Language! Why are you swearing at Hana?" Kim had not heard the earlier portion of the conversation and had just walked in when Shego swore.
Hana laughed. "Relax, Kim, I know my swear words in English. And in French. It's all good."
"Shego, why did you- you know what, never mind, I don't know what goes on in Hana's head sometimes, so I'd better not ask," commented Kim.
Hana gave Kim a cheeky smile and winked at Shego. "Anyway, I think I'm going to crash... Jetlag and all."
Kim nodded. "The guest room is all yours."
"It was nice meeting you, Shego. Go and be the bitch!" said Hana as she fist-pumped her way over to the guest room.
"What was that about?" asked Kim as she looked on at Hana's retreating form in disbelief.
"She thought I was some super snarky bitch, that's all," laughed Shego. "I guess she thought I'm some kind of badass girlfriend... Or something like that."
"You'll be a badass girlfriend if you keep up with the swearing," chuckled Kim. "I'm glad you guys aren't at each others' throats. Hana is a bit protective with me... Kind of like my dad, I guess."
"I could tell, both of them don't want to see you hurt." Shego scratched the back of her neck. "I understand that though."
"Don't let Hana scare you off though, she's a really sweet girl once you get to know her. A bit brash at times, but that's how she is."
Shego nodded and yawned.
"Long day?"
"It was long when I was in the office. Steve and I finished everything, so I think Bonnie's glad she got me to be around."
"That's good. I hope this won't happen again."
"Did you talk to Jack?"
"I did, and I made a note to HR not to fire him... Bonnie really doesn't think things through when she's mad. I've just reassigned him to a less stressful department and if he wants, he can go back to typesetting later."
"Ah, Steve mentioned you would be a lot nicer with Jack..."
"I know of his personal issues and while I think Bonnie's right in letting him go due to poor performance, he still needs job security to pay for child support. I just like to see the bigger picture - not just with the business, but the overall well-being of the people employed at the paper."
"You're so kind... I don't see how anyone can harbour any animosity against you," commented Shego as she took Kim's hand.
Kim let out a bitter laugh. "Believe me, I have more enemies than you'd think." She squeezed Shego's hand. "It's ok though, I'd rather the employees be happy... That's all what we want, right? To be content with our lives, regardless of what shitstorm comes our way."
"I think you're the badass girlfriend in this relationship, Miss Kimberly Ann Possible. So much swearing tonight," teased Shego.
Kim laughed and fist-pumped the air. "Badass girlfriends, unite!"
Shego grinned and leaned in to kiss Kim. "Badass, indeed."
Kim smiled as Shego's lips found their way to hers. "Stay the night?"
"Sure. Though I should grab my overnight bag from the car."
"You brought an overnight bag?"
Shego shrugged. "Sleepovers, remember? Got to be prepared in case you ask."
Kim's response was a really big smile.
"I'll be right back," said Shego as she headed out the door.
Author's Notes: Sleepovers, they begin?
I'm still not sure how to characterise Hana since we don't see much of her older self at all in the series. Making this up as I go.
Chapter title is from "Stupid Girl" by Garbage, in relation to Hana's headstrong attitude. Be the bitch. Rawr.