The two women sat in silence as they made their way to Go City. Shego was lost in her own thoughts as Kim was wondering about how to mend the situation. Shego had apologized to the redhead, but Kim couldn't help but feel that her girlfriend was just masking her true feelings.

I screwed up this time, Kim thought. And for once, I don't know what to do. I did violate her trust by calling up Wade...

Both were interrupted when Shego's cell phone started ringing. Before Kim could help answer, Shego snatched it from the dashboard and put the phone to her ear.

"Hi, Mom... What? Oh, yeah, we're still on the way... Huh? Ok, I'll put you on speaker." Shego hit the button reluctantly and gave the phone to Kim.

"Hi Kim!"

"Hi Mrs. Godeaux," said Kim hesitantly. She really wasn't sure what to do or say since Shego was still mad at her, but she still want to make a somewhat good impression.

"Please call me Marion," scoffed Shego's mother. "It makes me sound like a grandmother if you call me 'Mrs. Godeaux.' Although, grandchildren would be nice-"

"Mom!" exasperated Shego.

Kim watched her girlfriend grip the steering wheel in annoyance, so she refrained from chuckling. "Ok, Marion. It's nice to finally, uh, talk to you."

"Yes, yes, we'll meet in... how much more time, dear?"

"About an hour and a half," replied Shego flatly.

"My, my, what is with your tone, Sheridan? You should be glad to be coming home for the holidays. Your father misses you terribly, you know that."

"I know. It's the brothers I don't miss."

"Now, now, whether you like it or not-"

"-I know, Mom, they're still my brothers." Shego turned to look at Kim and her gaze softened. "They'd better not give Kimmie here hell or I'm driving us back to Middleton."

Kim smiled. Maybe Shego wasn't that mad at her... maybe.

"So, Kim, are there any dietary restrictions I should know of before you and Sheridan arrive?" asked Marion, oblivious to the dissipating tension between the two travelling women.

"No, I don't have any food allergies, so I'm good. I eat just about everything," replied the redhead.

"Except your own cooking," teased Shego.

Kim sighed. "Except my own cooking."

Marion chuckled. "All right, I'll be putting some final touches on dinner then. Have the two of you had lunch?"

Kim looked at Shego expectantly and they both smiled. Because they were "fighting" in the service centre parking lot, they had both forgot to get food: Shego, being concerned, had returned back to the car and waited for Kim, and Kim was simply just lost in her thoughts.

"No, not yet," said Kim. "We'll probably stop by a service station before we get to Go City if we're really hungry."

"In either case, make sure you have enough room for dinner. We'll be having quite a feast," replied Marion.

"Will do, Mom. See you in a bit!" said Shego.

"See you soon! Drive safe!" said Marion before hanging up.

It was silent for a few minutes before Kim quietly asked, "Are you still mad at me?"

"A bit... but not as much as before," replied Shego coolly.

"Ok." Kim turned her head and stared out the passenger window.

"I'm sorry," Shego finally said.

"For what? You had every right to be angry," murmured as Kim continued staring out the window.

"For being a jerk, that's what." Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, she used the other to gently pat Kim's knee. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"It wasn't my intention to make you feel like I didn't trust you, Shego." Kim placed her hand over her girlfriend's and turned to look at the older woman. "I just instinctively reacted that way."

"Do you always do this when someone mentions any sort of association to..." Shego paused, unsure whether saying Eric's name would make Kim retreat further in her shell. Instead, she opted for the company name. "...Lipsky Industries?"

Kim noted Shego's hesitation and smiled that her girlfriend was being considerate about her feelings. "For the past little while, yes. I'd call up Wade and he'd run a check to reassure me that everything is what it seems... Or not. There were some instances where a sponsor would try to approach the paper and they'd have direct ties to Lipsky Industries... Trying to undermine the paper once they have access or a sufficient amount of trust across the board members. Bonnie and I aren't stupid, but the board is mostly concerned with the financial aspect of things... We've disagreed in their favour a few times, which is probably why they want to replace me with Bonnie - in all honesty, she's perfectly capable to do my job but she might not be so resolute when the board tries to trick her into carrying out a decision that works in their favour."

"Why not fire the board in this case?"

"Between you and me, I wouldn't mind that, but then the paper wouldn't get as much funding, nor would it then be distributed across Middleton. Some of the members are fairly influential people and I know they spread slander about me if I'm not complying to their requests. Because of Ron's will, I still control about sixty percent of the paper and can override board decisions when I see fit... It's just complicated when they think a new sponsor would be good for the paper, but turns out to be someone from Lipsky Industries."

"You said Bonnie's married to the Seniors? Why don't they step in and help you out with the board?"

"Again, it's complicated since Se?or Senior Senior and Junior have ties to these influential people too. They dealt with a bit of crap from them too since Bonnie works with me. I'm glad Bonnie didn't just up and leave when she could - right after she got married - I can honestly say she's a true friend, even if she doesn't show it."

"I see... I didn't realise everything was so complicated." Shego intertwined her fingers with Kim as she held her hand and gave the redhead a squeeze.

"I didn't want it to be. I just wish for life to be simple again... Just to be content, be with someone I, uh... Love," Kim paused to look Shego in the eye. "...and just create some more happy memories... And not deal with all this drama."

Shego nearly steered the car into the adjacent lane, earning her a honk from the neighbouring driver, when Kim said the L word. She smiled at the thought and brought Kim's hand to her lips before gently kissing it. "I'm sure everything'll be fine. Just forget about all this drama during your vacation. Again, I'm sorry for reacting that way."

"My behaviour and actions warranted an explanation, so I understand why you reacted that way."

Shego gently let go of Kim's hand - steering with one hand was difficult - and said, "If you ever need anything from me, just ask. I'll even beat my ass of a brother for you to figure out his ties to the company."

Kim laughed. "You don't have to be that extreme."

"I would, to give you peace of mind."

"Thanks, Shego." Kim carefully unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned in close to give Shego a kiss on the cheek.

"Princess, careful now, you don't want me to run us off the road because you want to make out with me while I'm driving," teased Shego.

Kim chuckled and gently punched Shego's right arm. "You wish." She leaned back in her seat and buckled her seatbelt.

Shego grinned.

Author's Notes: Tension dissipates and Shego wishes for a make-out session in the car. Hmm.

Chapter title is from "Anything Could Happen" by Ellie Goulding.