Chapter 62 - This Love is Treacherous
Knock.
"Hey, Kim."
"Hana? Come on up."
The teen made her way into Kim's loft. Shego was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Shego?"
"She went out with Mom to run errands."
"Oh, ok."
"What's up?" Kim patted to a spot next to her on the floor; she tossed aside the magazine she was skimming through before Hana interrupted her.
The teen sat down beside the redhead and shrugged. "Just been a bit bored since you and Shego were in Go City last week."
"Do you want to go to the mall?"
"Sure, if you don't mind."
"All right, cool. Let me check if Shego took my car or if Mom took hers."
"Are you guys sharing everything now?" asked Hana as she followed the redhead to the garage.
"What's that supposed to mean, Hana?" asked Kim as she turned around and gave Hana an unamused look.
"I'm just thinking you guys share a lot of things right now."
"It's really none of your business, Hana," Kim stated matter-of-factly as she realised her mom took the family car. She took her keys and motioned for the teen to get in.
"I was merely making an observation, that's all."
"One that isn't any of your concern."
"Why are getting so defensive on me all of a sudden, Kim?" asked Hana as she buckled up.
"Because, since your arrival, all you've been doing is tell me what you think I should or shouldn't do with my relationship with Shego. I thought you trusted her." Kim started the engine and put the gear in reverse. "I also thought you trusted me."
Hana shrugged. "I'm just looking out-"
Kim slammed her foot on the brakes and put the car in park. They had barely made it out of the Possibles' driveway. "Hana Stoppable. I appreciate your undying concern, but I've got it all under control. It's my relationship and I'll see how things go my way. No one else's. All right?"
"Jeez, take a chill pill, Kim. You don't have to be so angry."
"You're giving me a lot of reasons to be, Hana. And you're not making it easy for me to put up with your attitude towards what I share and do with Shego. For Pete's sake, Hana, I'm twenty-eight. I know right from wrong."
Hana put up her hands in surrender. "All right, all right, don't start nagging at me. Man, if this is what it's like to live with parents full-time-"
"-I dare you to finish that sentence, Hana. You will regret your choice of words and for even thinking that. Your parents raised you well. Just because I, or any of my family members - Shego included - nag at you, we're looking out for you. Do you know how difficult it is for any of us to be half the people your parents were? Don't you dare complain about how we nag at you - it's for your benefit."
Hana remained silent. She knew that she should've thought it out carefully before saying anything, but now that Kim understood her true feelings, it was just difficult to retract the thought.
Kim sighed. "Look, Hana, I don't want to fight with you about anything. We've been through this bump before when you first met Shego. I thought you two hit things off well, so why are you questioning my judgement now? I'm not a child, Hana. You need to understand that too - whatever choices you make, know that no one can stop you except for yourself. We're all just here to help; don't go hating on the world because something doesn't go your way. I live my life as I please and, while I realise you're just looking out for me, only Shego and I can decide the pace of our relationship. If we share things, we share them. No big."
"But aren't you guys already living together? Isn't that kind of going too fast? You guys haven't dated long..." Hana shrugged.
"We're at a pace that's comfortable," said Kim firmly.
Honestly, where does she even come up with some of these questions? Kim thought.
"Just asking because I remember you didn't really live with-" The teen saw that the redhead gripped the steering wheel - "...with your ex until a year or two later, right?"
"I haven't moved in with Shego, we just crash each other's places." Kim added bitterly, "And those were different circumstances back then."
"All right, all right, I didn't mean for you to get so pissed at me... It was an honest question, right? I mean, sometimes one needs to lift their head from all the lovey dovey fog to see the path ahead."
"When did you get all wise all of a sudden?" laughed Kim. "I don't understand how kids your age work... You're all still immature but come up with-"
"-I pulled that one out of my ass, I'm sorry."
"Watch your language, Hana!"
"Right, right, I have to be prim and proper... Lady-like and whatnot."
Kim turned off the car engine. "Look, Hana, I know there's a bunch of things we disagree on right now, but let's just move past them, ok? I don't want us fighting over something trivial before we go to Paris."
Hana put up her hands in surrender and ran a hand through her hair. "All right, all right, I'm sorry I even asked the question... I just don't want you diving head-first into something you might not get out of if your emotions are clouding your judgment."
Kim bit back a remark that she was thinking much clearer when with Shego - she didn't want to go on a tangent later. Maybe she should toss this bone to Shego to deal with: if Hana knew Shego better, she'd understand why Kim thought the graphics designer was a good match.
"All right. How about we shake on this and not let it ruin our holiday?" suggested the redhead.
The teen nodded and shook her sister's hand.
"Middleton Mall?" asked Kim as she started the car again.
Hana nodded.
"Shego, can we talk?"
The graphic designer rolled on her side and gave her girlfriend a look. She closed the book she was reading and sat up straight on the bed.
"What's wrong, Kimmie?"
"How can you tell that there's something wrong?"
"The inflection in how you asked me - it seemed more of a command than a request, and that you seemed to be a bit agitated after you got home with Hana. What'd the squirt do to make you feel like this?" Shego tilted her head. "...again."
"You're observant, you know that?" replied Kim as she snuggled closer to Shego on the bed.
"I should be, to keep that smile on your face," murmured the older woman as she put an arm around Kim. "Come on, what's bothering you? Did Hana say something stupid again?"
"She just doesn't know when to butt out of things that aren't her business, that's all."
"She said something about 'us' again, didn't she?"
Kim buried her head in Shego's neck as she mumbled, "She said we share too many things and that we're moving at a quick pace because we always sleep over at each other's."
"Hey, that doesn't mean anything bad." Shego kissed the top of Kim's head. "No relationship is perfect, and each one moves at a pace that's comfortable for both parties. I know," Shego gently pulled Kim into an embrace, "that I'm fine with how things are going between us, so you have nothing to worry about."
Kim tightened her grip on her girlfriend. "I'm not weak, I don't need someone to tell me that what I'm doing is wrong or that I'm diving headfirst into something that might hurt me all over again."
"You're not weak, not at all." Shego gently rubbed Kim's shoulder. "I think the same can be said for me too."
"I just don't want people to think I am... It hurt me a lot that Hana thinks it's part of her duty as a sibling to look after me. I'm not hopeless... I don't always make bad decisions."
"If I'm the best worst decision you've ever made, well, I must say, I am the best," chuckled Shego.
Kim shook her head. "You're the best best decision I've made."
"Then if you feel that way, ignore what Hana says about us. I mean, with our ages combined together, we're practically grandmas in a relationship, so she shouldn't worry - we have a lot more life experience combined than her."
"You have a really cheesy way of cheering up people, did you know that?" smiled Kim as she kissed Shego on the cheek.
"Who cares if it's cheesy? As long as it's effective, that's what matters."
"Effective, how?"
"You feel better now, don't you?"
Kim nodded.
"Then that's all that matters to me. I never want you to feel uncomfortable with the way our relationship is going, nor do I want you feeling down because of what outsiders say about us."
"You're sweet."
"As pie. Apple pie."
Punch.
"What was that for?"
"Now you're being silly. You're more like hard-coated caramel. Tough on the outside, but a pile of goo when it's just you and me."
"Princess, I'm appalled," replied Shego in a feigned shocked voice. "Did you just compare me to a piece of candy?"
"It's not like being compared to a pie is any better..."
"Then you're candy corn if I'm hard caramel."
"What? Why?"
Shego shrugged. "Your hair, that was the first thing I thought of... Besides, it makes no sense. I'm not a pile of goo if I'm hard caramel... Usually that stuff is chewy... At least caramel corn is also chewy then. We'll be chewy candies together."
Kim giggled as Shego smirked. "Thanks, Shego."
"No prob, Kimmie. Don't let it get to you. If we feel comfortable, then we're good, ok?"
Kim nodded and wrapped her arms around Shego. She laid her head on her girlfriend's chest and closed her eyes.
"Hana, c'mere." Shego gestured to the teen to sit with her on the living room couch.
"What's up, Shego?"
The two women were alone in the Possible house. Kim had gone off to check on Bonnie at the Middleton Daily, Anne was called in for an emergency, James and the twins had to stop by the Middleton Space Centre to analyse moon rocks that were delivered by NASA the night before. Shego had figured that the empty house it was an opportunity to talk to Hana about any concerns the teen had about her relationship with Kim.
"You should know why I want to talk to you."
"Did Kim put you up to this?" asked Hana tersely. The past few days were just awkward ever since her disagreement with Kim in the car. The redhead would act nonchalant with Hana and the teen would respond apathetically during dinner conversations.
Shego shook her head. "No, I'm talking to you because I want to ask you about your concerns."
"My concerns?"
"Yeah, it's clear to me that you had some qualms about the pace of my relationship with Kim. What gives?"
Hana shrugged. "I don't know, it just seems that you guys are moving along quickly. Hell, I bet you even have some of your stuff at Kim's apartment."
"I do, but I don't see how it should bother you."
"It... It kind of broke Kim up after the whole sitch with Eric... She hasn't really been the same since, I guess. She's more serious now and can't tolerate some of my wisecracks... The other day in the car, I was actually joking when I asked her whether you guys share everything and she got all defensive on me."
Shego ruffled the teen's hair. "It's understandable why Kim would react that way."
"I mean, I don't want to see her hurt again, but it actually hurt me more when she said I didn't trust you and her."
"Hana, I know you trust me... Otherwise, you would still be a pain in the ass to me."
"You mean, I'm not? I mean with this whole sitch with Kim-"
"Nah, it's just a misunderstanding. I get that you don't want to see Kim upset and hurt again, but I guess what I want you to understand that all relationships work differently. Some go quicker than others, some are just snail pace slow."
"I understand that... I guess sometimes I need to keep my mouth shut or think before I speak."
"That would be wise, but no one's forcing you to be like that," said Shego as she looked thoughtfully at the coffee table.
"You know what I think, Shego?" asked Hana as she played with the TV remote control.
"Hmm?"
"I think you go to great lengths to try to resolve whatever tensions Kim and I have whenever I say stupid things... Thank you for that."
"It's nothing," responded Shego with a wave of her hand.
"You love her, don't you?"
The question took Shego by surprise, so she merely raised an eyebrow as she stared at the teen.
"Just an observation, that's all." Hana shrugged.
Shego nodded briskly and tried to get her hair to shield her face by moving her head. She knew the teen caught a glimpse of her rose-coloured cheeks. It wasn't that she was embarrassed, but it was just a new feeling altogether for her - to know that she loved Kim and that Kim loved her back.
"I'll talk to Kim later tonight about my, uh, attitude. I really don't want to make things even more awkward when we fly to Paris this weekend."
Shego cleared her throat and was still looking away when she replied. "Ok."
"Thanks, Shego," said Hana. Again, the teen caught the older woman by surprise by hugging her.
"I had an interesting conversation with Hana today," said Kim as she came out of the bathroom in her nightgown. The couple was back in Kim's apartment for the night before their flight to make sure they packed everything. Shego had stopped by her own apartment earlier in the day to make sure she had enough (warm) clothes for their trip. The Possibles would be picking them up on the way to the airport with Hana.
"Seems to me someone had a talk with her."
Shego shrugged as she put away her glasses and book on the nightstand.
"Thank you."
"For...?"
"You know what I mean."
"It's nothing."
"It means something to me even if you think it's nothing... I'm just grateful, that all," said Kim as she climbed into bed. She kissed her girlfriend on the cheek and rolled onto her side to face Shego. "I'm glad things won't be super awkward anymore... I'm sorry to have involved you in this."
Shego brushed a strand of hair from Kim's face. "It's ok, I'd do whatever it takes to put that smile on your face."
"My, my, aren't you being rather romantic?" chuckled Kim. "I know I'd do the same for you, so thank you."
Shego smiled in response as they both slowly drifted to sleep.
"Have fun, girls! Hana, I expect phone calls when you're settled in again!"
"Sure thing, Anne," said Hana. She gave the Possible matriarch a hug and kissed James on the cheek. It was a strange sight for Shego when the teen "fistbumped" with the Possible twins.
"What does that even mean?" she asked Kim as they put their luggage onto the trolley.
"I think something to do with acknowledgment and being 'bros.'"
"I'm not around my brothers enough to see them do something like that, but it just looks strange."
Anne laughed. "Teenagers and their slang... And I guess gestures."
"Have a-"
"-good one!" laughed the twins. They both stuck out their fists and waited for Shego to "fistbump" them.
The older woman gave Kim a puzzled look but copied what Hana did earlier.
"Now, Kim, don't you give Shego here a hard time," said James. He audibly "whispered" to Shego, "Don't spoil her too much" and winked at her.
"I'll try not to," laughed Shego. "It is Paris, after all." She shook James' hand.
"Have a good one."
"Man, this is cool. I can't believe you managed to get the seats next to me," said Hana as she buckled her seatbelt.
"It's not exactly the holiday rush time for flights... I think this flight is about eighty percent booked?" replied the redhead.
They were in one of the bigger planes that had three columns of seats. Hana and Shego were seated by the aisles, whereas Kim was seated in-between the two.
"It's still a pretty big flight," said Shego as she reclined her seat. There was no one seated behind her so she decided to make herself comfortable. She flipped through the travel guide that Betty had given her.
"Have you guys decided where to go? Classes start the day after next so I can take you around for a bit after I'm unpacked."
"I think that's what we're going to figure out during the flight," laughed Kim.
"Cool! I'll list a bunch of places for you... I make a pretty good tour guide," replied the teen.
"Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Don't worry, Kim. It's all cool."
The three women were standing outside of one of the residences at Hana's school. Kim had managed to send off her and Shego's luggage to the hotel at the airport and decided to escort Hana back to campus.
"Ellie, my roommate, told me she was back yesterday, so I should be good with unpacking. You know my cell number so give me a call if you ever need to reach me."
"Sure thing."
"Have fun!"
"Will do," replied Kim.
When Hana disappeared into the building, Kim turned to Shego. "Where to?"
"Check into the hotel and make sure our luggage made it safely?"
"Ok. Do you want to take a cab or walk?"
Shego pulled out her phone and opened up the map application. While at the airport, they had managed to get SIM cards for their phones in case they needed to be contacted abroad. "We're not too far from there and it's not too cold... How about we walk the streets of Paris and take in the sights?"
Kim slipped her hand into the older woman's. "Sounds good."
Shego fixed the scarf around Kim's neck. "Don't want you catching a cold, heh."
"Thanks."
They walked around for a bit, just enjoying the scenery and saying nothing because conversation wasn't needed.
When they got to the hotel, the clerk gave them a pair of keys and sent a busboy to take them up to their room. Their luggage was indeed delivered safely, so Shego tipped the busboy as he left.
"I've got to say, Kim, you sure picked a nice hotel."
They were staying at one of the more exquisite hotels in Paris that had a good view of the Eiffel Tower.
The redhead shrugged as she unzipped her suitcase and began laying out clothes on the queen-sized bed.
Shego opted for the couch and lied down. She stared at the ceiling as she heard Kim put her clothes onto the hangers in the closet. She shifted to grab her purse on the coffee table and fished out her phone.
She punched in all too familiar number and looked at her watch as the call went through. It should be about around lunch time in Go City, she thought.
"Godeaux Residence, Marion speaking."
"Hi Mom, Kim and I are in Paris now," said Shego as she sat up. Kim was almost done unpacking her toiletries in the bathroom.
"Oh, Sheridan! I had thought you were still in transit."
"Nope, we managed to get here about two hours ago and went with Hana to her school... Now we're back in the hotel. Let me tell you the temporary number that you can reach us with in case of anything." Shego recited the number to her mother just as Kim emerged from the bathroom. The redhead sat beside her.
"Ok, thanks. Do you want to speak with Kim?" Hearing her mother's answer, Shego handed her cell phone to Kim.
"Hi, Marion."
"Kim! Glad to hear you all arrived safely. I've emailed you a short list of places you should try to go to when you have the time."
"Sure. Great. Thanks so much!"
"Take care of Sherri and have fun. Hopefully I'll see you when you come back."
"Sure thing. Thanks again!"
The line went dead as Marion hung up. Kim handed the phone back to Shego.
"So what now?" asked Shego as she snuggled with Kim on the sofa.
"I made a dinner reservation for seven-thirty." Kim checked her watch. "That's two hours from now..."
Shego raised a daring eyebrow.
"No!" laughed Kim. "You're going to make us late."
"Me? Why me? You're the one who's always wanting more," teased Shego.
Kim pecked Shego on the cheek. "After dinner? We should get dressed though... It's one of those fancy restaurants."
Shego laughed. "We're going to wear fancy clothes only to take them off after dinner."
"I heard the food is good."
"Dessert sounds better." Shego kissed Kim on the lips and snaked a hand up the redhead's shirt.
Relenting to Shego's touch, Kim laughed as her girlfriend gently kissed her collarbone. "No hickeys! We're wearing dresses during dinner and I won't be able to hide them!"
Shego pouted. "All right, all right, we'll play it safe for now." She gently removed her hand from under Kim's shirt and stuck out her pinky.
Kim hooked her pinky onto Shego's and smiled. "I think we're a bit too old for pinky promises, Shego."
The older woman winked and let the redhead kiss her in response.
"Come, let's find out what sexy number you'll be wearing for tonight."
"I honestly think we should skip dinner and just have dessert."
"Shego! Behave!"
The two women were in the elevator heading down to the hotel's mezzanine restaurant. Kim was dressed in a red dress that was neither too flashy, nor conservative, that complimented her hair. Shego wore a green and black dress that was checkered in a modern and obscure pattern, and had put up her hair.
Much to Kim's chagrin, she noticed several other hotel guests - the majority male - giving Shego a once-over as they made their way to the restaurant.
"Kim, relax." Shego put a comforting hand on Kim's arm as they stopped in front of the restaurant entrance. She had noticed the displeased and tense look on Kim's face as they cut through the lobby. "It's funny to see you unhinged by this."
"What?"
"You're angry at everyone who looks my way."
"I am not."
"Yes, you are." Shego playfully bumped her shoulder at Kim. "It's cute."
The redhead's cheeks turned pink as she looked away.
The maitre-d appeared at the entrance. "Yes, do you have a reservation?"
"Two under 'Possible,'" replied Shego.
The man examined the page of reservations carefully and stopped at a part of the page near the bottom. "Ah, oui, Possible. Deux." He took two menus and motioned for the women to follow him. "Va, va, follow."
They were seated in a quaint corner of the restaurant. It was dim inside but candles illuminated most of the tables.
"A waiter, Miguel, will be here soon," said the maitre-d as the women sat down.
Shego flipped through the menu and let out a low whistle as she saw the prices. "Kimmie... Are you sure this is all right? This blows fine dining back home out of the park."
"It's ok, I've got it covered."
Shego raised an eyebrow at the redhead. "Let me at least pay for half, Kim. This is really fancy stuff."
"It's fine."
Shego put down her menu and looked her girlfriend in the eye. The redhead's gaze was unwavering and Shego took Kim's hands in her own. "You know, eating fancy food in a fancy hotel isn't really necessary..."
"I know. I just felt like doing something special... At least just this once while we're in one of the most romantic cities in the world."
Shego squeezed Kim's hands in understanding. "That is true."
Then an extremely attractive man appeared at their table. This was, apparently, Miguel the waiter.
"Bonsoir, mesdemoiselles, je suis Miguel. Are you ready to order? How about drinks?"
Kim looked at Shego expectantly.
The older woman flashed him a smile. "Cabernet Sauvignon?"
"We have bottles from 1960s onwards."
Shego motioned for Kim to pick a year since she wasn't sure what Kim's budget was for this fancy meal.
"1989."
Miguel nodded. "And your courses?"
"I'll have the Contre-filet de bœuf Black Angus au poivre, bien cuit, avec les frites maison."
"And I'll have the Onglet saisi, bien, avec la purée de pommes de terre et la sélection de champignons."
"Bon. I will be back with your wine."
Miguel disappeared into the kitchen.
"1989?"
"Anything from the sixties would cost a fortune and anything beyond the nineties would make us seem stingy."
Shego laughed. "I see. Makes sense though. I don't want you blowing up your credit limit on us."
Kim smiled. Shego was always so thoughtful. "I'll try not to... But it'd be worth it."
Shego smirked. Miguel came back with the wine and poured both ladies each a glass.
Shego swished hers around and did a taste test. "Parfait, Miguel."
Kim did the same and nodded her head to concur.
"Excellente, your courses will be out shortly." He bowed and disappeared to another table.
"Here's to... Well, us." Shego toasted and waited for Kim to raise her glass too. The glasses clinked and they entwined arms to take a sip.
"Ah, I forgot to ask my mom about Chef Morimoto. I'll call her tomorrow. If I recall correctly, he should still be in Paris by the time we leave."
"Ok."
"If he is, when would be a good time for that lesson? Did you have any other plans?"
Kim shook her head. "Only for tonight."
"Ok. I'll just see which days work for him."
"I still can't believe you know him."
"Know...ish." Shego shrugged, took another sip, and turned to look at the other patrons in the restaurant.
She nearly choked on her wine when she saw another table being seated near them.
"Shego, are you ok?" The redhead noticed that her girlfriend looked like she just saw a ghost.
It was then that a tall brunette walked over and stopped at their table. She was wearing a flashy sort of dress that more or less screamed that she exuded wealth and there was nothing you could do about it. She cocked her head to the side and had a smug expression on her face.
"Well, well, it is you, Shego. And here I was thinking it was someone else. Fancy seeing you in a place like this."
Kim looked back and forth between the two women until Shego finally spoke.
"Hello, Morgan."
Author's Notes: The ex appears! Dun dun dun...
Chapter title is from "Treacherous" by Taylor Swift.