~o0o~
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and her name than rode upon it was Kim, and Hell followed with her.
~o~
The silvery-blue hovercraft hurtled earthwards, the glittering lights of nighttime Acapulco in its sights.
Kim sat alone in the craft, her eyes darting between the various monitors as she surveyed the hotel where Shego had been attacked. She appeared totally calm to the outside world, but in reality she was drowning in a sea of emotions. She had never been this distraught before, and it was just the tip of the iceberg for what was buried beneath the churning waters of her psyche. It brought with it something new, a path she had never taken but was now teetering along - the unmistakable urge to wantonly hurt someone. To make the thugs that had attacked Shego pay, and to do it up close and personal.
She half-listened to Wade as he kept her up to date on the situation, her replies and questions short and clipped.
I know she's alive! Kim thought. She heals like super fast. I'll just swoop in and save her, and everything will be okay. She refused to think about why the bad guys hadn't left the hotel as yet, her indomitable optimism holding those fears at bay. Yeah, I'll make 'em regret ever attacking her!
"Thirty seconds," Sadie announced.
Kim nodded and stood up, once again in her battlesuit. War was coming so she had dressed the part, and the enemy would never know what hit them. She cracked her knuckles, the city approaching impossibly fast in the dark. Luckily the pilot wasn't human and could handle just such a task.
"SWAT team's entering the hotel," Wade announced.
"Mhm," Kim acknowledged, her tone eerily quiet.
"It will take them a while to reach her floor."
"Good!" 'Cause I want them all to myself!
She ignored Wade's worried expression at her response, there was a mission to complete. There was a slight jolt as the invisible hovercraft came to a stop outside Shego's high-rise balcony, then she was diving forwards.
I'm coming, Shego!
She landed, rolled, and smashed through the glass doors, ready to unleash her wrath.
Ohhh, crap!
A part of her admonished her for the swear word, while the rest of her brain processed what she was seeing. It appeared the attackers hadn't stood a chance against Shego, even with the element of surprise. The flickering lights haphazardly illuminated the bullet-riddled room, the blood-soaked floor littered with over a dozen smoking, mutilated bodies, their severed limbs scattered all about the place.
Shego, what– She looked around at the human carnage, her face turning pale. What have you done?
Kim's skill set allowed her to break bone, which she invariably did while saving the world. Shego could do more with her Glow, and she had.
Gods, it's what I wanted to do to them. She stood there aghast, her fear-induced rage just flowing from her. Geez, I–I really was gonna– What was I thinking? I'm meant to be better than this. She shivered at the realization of the path she had avoided. Later. I can worry about it later. I need to find Shego.
She took a step, then another, making sure to avoid the blood dripping from the ceiling.
How could she?
She took a deep, shuddering breath, then realized she could not fault Shego for defending herself in such a manner. Shego had been violently attacked in her place, her life in mortal danger, so it was only natural that she would respond in kind. It vividly reminded Kim that Shego wasn't a hero, that her possible girlfriend was a reformed villain and used to a life of violence and extremes.
And I still want to be with her. I–I don't think there's anything that she could do that I wouldn't forgive her for.
She took in more of the suite: the shredded furniture, the scorch marks, and the large holes blown through various walls. It was amazing that the sprinkler system hadn't gone off, thus creating even more of a mess.
I wish she hadn't of killed them…
On instinct she knelt by a body and checked it for a pulse, and started when she found one. She quickly checked another body then another, both still alive. She froze, not daring to breathe as a long-ago conversation with Shego came to mind.
"I'm a thief, Kimmie. I hired on with Drew to steal and act as bodyguard, not to kill. Forget what you know, it's just not who I am. Period!"
She doesn't kill! Kim thought with elation.
She adjusted the HUD in her suit and all the bodies in the room came up with heat signatures, showing that they were still alive. A feeling of pride washed over her that Shego had shown restraint, even when facing certain death. And considering all the bullet holes and the damage done to the place, it was amazing that no one had been killed; another testament to Shego's phenomenal skills.
Deep down she's still a hero, and I'mma gonna help her find it again. She glanced around the ruined suite. But it doesn't mean she's not hurt, or that there aren't more of these guys.
"Wade?"
"I'm seeing it…" Wade replied. "Data's coming in now… Um, their members of a Mexican Drug Cartel… Wanted by the police… Interpol… And most are considered extremely dangerous."
A Drug Cartel? She eyed a handcuffed individual, the man's situation standing out. Why would they– Never mind. Find Shego first, worry about the 'why' later. "Got it, Wade. Inform the police, as well as the paramedics."
"Already on it."
Now, let's find her.
She dug deep and pushed the grisly apartment out of her mind, took a step, and tensed up. Fists clenched tightly by her side, she slowly and with great reluctance looked down at the sticky, blood stained floor and the severed hand she was standing on.
"Ohh, ick!" she whispered in revulsion, her skin crawling at the sight. She yanked her foot away, the soft, squishy feel of the appendage not something she would soon forget.
She so owes me a drink at 'Kicks after this!
With her dramatic entrance, the element of surprise was gone. Still, she did not call out for Shego as she began her search, that would be a rookie maneuver. She checked the entry hall first, relieved to find no evidence of Shego's blood, then she quickly and methodically checked the rest of the suite, no signs of anyone else.
She's– She's not here… After all the buildup it felt like she had been punched in the gut. I–I don't know whether to laugh or cry. She's obviously alive, and hopefully unhurt, but she's not here. So what do I do now? The hero within told her to minister to the men's injuries. However, she had found on her reconnaissance that Shego had used her Glow to cauterize their wounds. So there was precious little that she could do for them right now.
Best to leave them in blissful unconsciousness until the paramedics arrived.
She retreated into the master bedroom to think, the lack of any bloodshed in the room a far cry from the rest of the place.
Why can't I ever pin her down? She's such an annoying ghost who's always out of reach. She wiped her eyes as she held back tears of frustration and relief. Dang it! I'm not gonna cry like some angsty teen. I'm just tired and overwrought, that's all… Focus on the why, it'll help. She collapsed onto the end of the bed and lay back, staring at the ceiling. Okay, she doesn't do mundane missions or drugs, so why on earth would the Cartel be after her? And how on earth did they find her in the first place? She was in disguise… She paused, then followed that train of thought. Did she want to be found? A… trap? But If I'm right, then why–
She froze, her eyes widening as a distinctive aroma wafted past her nose. Rolling into her side she yanked the covers down, the unmistakable scent of Shego hitting her like a truck. An eager hand grabbed one of the big, fluffy pillows, and she held it tight, breathing in deep.
It's her! It's all her.
It was an unique scent, slightly exotic, and one Kim had never been able to place anywhere else. It meant so much more to her after their one night together, and lying there she felt her heart beat faster as the smell triggered a rush of desire, excitement, and intimate memories.
Gawd, Shego, I've gotta stop thinking about you like this when I'm out on a mission. "It's so not the time," she groaned out loud.
"Kim, are you okay?" Wade promptly inquired.
What? Uh– "Ye-yeah, I'm fine." She shook her head to clear away the images, the heat in her face signifying a spectacular blush. Faux is right, I need more than just… toys. I need her. She sat up, then stood up, refusing to relinquish her hold on the pillow.
"Wade, I think the whole thing was a setup, by Shego."
"A setup? That, sounds like her. Are you sure?"
"Almost positive, and I know just who to ask."
She marched back outside and stood over the only handcuffed thug in the room, his situation an anomaly in the suite of horrors. She eyed him up and down, and apart from a bruise on his cheek he appeared unharmed.
She restrained you, and no one else. So if I'm right, and she was after something, then that makes you the target.
She crouched down and took some smelling salts from her belt pouch, then cracked the vial under the man's nose. Its effects were almost instantaneous, his eyes flying open as he coughed a fit, turning his head away. When he looked back there was anger and fear in his eyes, but that all evaporated when he saw that it was Kim.
"It's okay, she's gone now," Kim said.
He sneered at her then rattled something off in Spanish as he strained against his bindings.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Kim said. "Do you speak any English?"
"Course I do, chica! I speak as good as you, my mom made sure of it. She's also proud of me, and all the money I donate to the church–" He descended back into Spanish, his tone definitely angry.
Okay, that was weird.
"Let me loose, hero girl!" he snarled, tugging at his bonds.
Course he knows me, everyone does. "I can't free you, you're wanted by the police."
"Of course I'm wanted by the police! I'm a very bad man. I've killed dozens of people, and I like doing it. But let me go, and I'll make it worth your while. I've got thousands hidden away in secret bank accounts."
Typical criminal, always thinking that money solves everything. She shook her head, then asked, "Tell me why you attacked Shego– The woman who was in this apartment."
"I was ordered to. And I also stole a yogurt from my sister's fridge this morning."
Um… okay? "Can you be more specific–"
"Specific? Well, I'm crazy about unicorns, and cry during romantic comedies. I love it when the boss's wife and I cuddle after sex, and that I dream about a threesome with Juan and Antonio."
Kim didn't know whose eyes were wider, hers or his. She tried to say something but stopped herself, not really knowing how to respond. The poor man's face had turned red with embarrassment, the veins popping out along his neck. She patted his arm in sympathy, no stranger for pining for what was out of reach.
Super weird, she thought. Guess he's still a little punch drunk from the fight. "Look…?"
"Carlos Francisco Redondo," he replied with a scowl.
"Well Carlos, can you please start from the beginning?" she asked, giving him a friendly smile. "With the bits involving Shego?" The look she received said 'no', and she was surprised when he started to talk anyways.
"We… caught her… snooping… around one of the our warehouse's, yesterday. Poking her nose into things that don't concern her. She ran away, but we found a business card that she'd dropped."
Ah, so that's how she suckered you into finding her.
"Since Mr. Escudero is away in Bogotá, I was ordered to track her down and fuck her up–"
That name, why do I know that name?
"–To show her that you don't mess with the Conquistador or his operations."
Of course! Mr. Escudero is the Conquistador, and he was in that Global Justice dossier of known super villains. But why is Shego messing about with him? She's out of the hero and villain game, isn't she?
"We didn't know it was her, but it was too late. She was expectin' us. Waitin' for us. I was so scared that I couldn't run… I–I peed my pants. I was knocked out, and when I woke, she was standing over me. She wanted to know all about D."
"D, as in Diablo? The party drug?"
"Yeah, that's it. And she wanted to know all about the boss's base of operations." He clenched his jaw but continued talking. "She didn't seem to care that we handle all the distribution for 'D' in North America, not that anyone knows. It's a big secret. She seemed mostly Interested in where it comes from and who makes it for us, but all I could tell her was when the next shipment is due. Then she knocked me out."
Shego, what have you gotten yourself into? And why? Kim thought. I honestly have no idea what you're up to. She stood up and walked away, giving herself a chance to think. She and Drakken never had any involvement in the drug trade back in the day. She drummed her fingers on her arm, stifling a yawn. And then there's Diablo and it's silly name, 'cause apparently you have sex like a horny little devil after taking it. She tilted her head, trying to remember more about the narcotic. It… showed up about eight months ago, and was called Attraction for a while. I know that it removes all your inhibitions, overriding the reason centers of the brain. How it rewires all your stimuli into pleasurable ones. Pain becomes pleasure, pleasure becomes overwhelming, especially when interacting with someone else who's taken it.
She tried to picture a scenario where Shego would be involved with such a drug, but it felt like her brain was punching fog.
I so need some coffee, or sleep, and some time to think, but they're gonna have to wait since Carlos has been so helpful– She glanced over her shoulder at him. Almost, too helpful. "Wade, did you get all that?"
"I did, and it's all recorded for the relevant authorities. A big win for the home team."
"It was no big, but don't you think it was all a bit…"
"Easy?"
"Yeah," she replied. "When was the last time a career criminal just up and answered all my questions? Truthfully as well?"
"Exactly? Well, never."
"I know, right? There has to be something else at play here?" She tapped her chin as she looked at Carlos. Did she do something to him? He's certainly been acting weird, just like– "Wade, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That she zapped him or drugged him or something?"
"Uh-huh," she replied, nodding in agreement. "I know all of Drakken's old tech is safely stored at Area Fifty-Three, but I can't help but feel…"
"Point taken. Aim your kimmunicator at him, and I'll check."
She did so, and a blue beam ran up and down Carlos.
"Hold on, it shouldn't take long… Yep, he's definitely been whammied by Drakken's Truth ray. I'm detecting the same brainwave inhibitors that you once exhibited."
She shuddered at the recollection, one of the most embarrassing days of her life. She had been unable to lie, and had just blurted out all sorts of truths to whoever was near. Luckily, the ray's influence had only lasted about a twenty-four hours. The Truth ray, along with the rest of Dr. Drakken's mad science equipment had been shipped off to Area Fifty-Three by Global Justice. There they had a massive, subterranean, storage warehouse, one of the most secure facilities in the world.
And Shego still managed to sneak in and out without them noticing. Or… maybe they just never bothered to tell me?
"Kim, the SWAT team's on your floor, and moving down the hallway," Wade suddenly announced.
Whoops, time to go. "Thanks, Wade." Not my situation to clean up for once, and I have a girlfriend to catch.
She would normally never leave a crime scene, but this would be the second time today. In both situations, time was the deciding factor. She assuaged her guilt in what she had uncovered about The Conquistador and his links to Diablo. The authorities in the United States, Mexico, and other Latin American countries would likely to be busy for weeks or even months with the information.
"Carlos, where's your boss's base of operations?" she asked, pausing at the shattered balcony door.
She watched him try to withhold the information, but she knew all too well the power of the Truth ray.
~o0o~
Kim slowly exited the stairwell and walked out onto the Conquistador villa's rooftop, the sweeping nighttime vista of Mexico's hinterlands all around her. She sighed and slowly closed the door, her hand holding onto the handle as she turned visible. She did not want to let go, but eventually she walked away, the gravelly surface barely crunching under her soft tread.
There's no way to know if Shego was here or not, she thought, her head bowed and shoulders down. She paused and looked behind, her search of the sprawling residence coming up empty.
But I know she was. "And I missed her, again…" she whispered.
She sighed and headed to where her invisible hovercraft was waiting, slowing until she had shuffled to a halt just short of her destination. It was tougher than she had imagined to just walk away from her only solid link to Shego in months.
Two steps, and Sadie will whisk me away. She looked back the way she had come then to where her ride would be, indecision on her face.
I know that if I could just see her… Talk to her… That we could work things out.
Her foot scrapped on the gravelly surface as she turned to go back inside, to search again. To find something, anything that would help her locate Shego. Then with something close to pain on her face she vaulted up into the air, and into the hovercraft.
"Sadie, home please," she said, the disappointment evident in her voice.
"Kim, I'm so sorry," Wade said.
"You'll find her one day," Sadie chimed in.
"Thanks guys," Kim said as she lay down on the padded seat at the back, Shego's pillow held against her chest. "I know we will." 'Cause she can't hide forever.
She closed her eyes and snuggled into the pillow as they flew away, the image of flaming fists dancing behind her eyelids as she drifted off to sleep.
~o~
Across the valley and floating atop another hilltop an invisible pair of eyes watched Kim leap into the air and disappear from view.
What - the - fuck? Shego thought, her hovercraft's view screen now showing an empty rooftop. How the hell did Kimmie find me– She rolled her eyes. Well, doy! Seems that Nerdlinger is upping his game, so I'm going to have to up mine as well.
She scrolled the image back and zoomed in, Kim now center frame, and reached out and ran her fingers across the image
She looks good. Really, really good. The various web pages and news articles did not do Kim any justice, especially when she was strutting about in her battlesuit. Has she been working out? I know it's been a while, but has she? I swear she's more– more filled out than I remember? She dragged her hands down her face. Or am I just so horny that I'm seeing things?
She slumped back in her seat, staring at the sky above.
One night with Kimmie and I'm completely screwed. She snorted at her innuendo. Would it be that bad if we talked, in person? Maybe just this once? She threw her arms up in annoyance. Gah! Of course it would! She's my fuckin' kryptonite! See her from a distance, yes. Talk to her, no. And I don't care what Mom says! 'Cause I meant what 'I' said. I'm not going to risk her getting hurt. "I… don't think I could live with myself if I did."
She looked back at the monitor as she used her foot to zoom in on the image even more, til it was just Kim's face on screen.
"I know you're not going to give up. That you're going to dog me til the end of time–"
She froze, a feeling of dread flowing through her.
Oh crap!
She stood up and paced about as best she could in the cramped cockpit.
If she showed up here, then that means she was there, in Acapulco. She grimaced. So she saw what I did to those cartel idiots. The trap I set. How can she still be chasing me after seeing that? "I should call her and explain," she murmured, her hand reaching for her phone.
Or maybe I could…
She had dismissed this particular idea many times before, but this was a special occasion. Dropping into the pilot's seat, she pondered her solution from every angle.
Yeah, it'll do.
Plan in mind, it was time to move.
My chat with the Conquistador will have to wait, 'cause I'm not going to risk it with Kimmie around.
She brought up the hovercraft's navigational HUD, keyed in her destination, then engaged the autopilot, the hills of Mexico disappearing into the distance.
~o0o~
The silvery-blue hovercraft flew silently through the inky darkness of space, soaring over the world far below. It was traveling faster than any man made craft had a right to, unaffected by the tremendous stresses and strains of its journey, but that was the genius of mad science. Its metallic hull gleamed in the moonlight as it crossed into Colorado, a shooting star in the vastness of the night's sky. Its flight from Mexico had taken but a few minutes, and a couple of seconds later it was over Middleton. Inside, switches and dials moved of their own accord as it turned invisible then dipped sharply, heading straight towards a rocky mountainside. There was no fiery explosion as it hit, instead it passed through a holographic projection of the terrain and into one of the Omega lair's secret entrances.
Kim shifted in her sleep at the change in tone but did not wake, the grav-plating keeping everything smooth and stable within the cockpit.
Sadie piloted the hovercraft down the access tunnel, the shaft easily sixty feet wide and heavily angled. Twin staircases ran along the passage's sides, its well-lit and smooth stone walls covered in steel-ribbed gantries all the way down, as the craft descending deep into the mountain.
Arriving at the base of the tunnel, Sadie stopped the hovercraft before a massive, reinforced blast door. There was a soft beep from the console as the access codes were accepted, the door ponderously opening.
Sadie glided the craft into the well-lit hangar and stopped next to an empty docking bay, then she carefully backed over the landing pad. She brought the hovercraft over the heavy brackets in the bay, then cut the power, the cushioned shock absorbers flexing as they took the full weight of the vehicle.
Sadie materialized next to Kim, and said, "Kim, we're home."
"Mhm…" Kim murmured.
"I know you're tired, but you'll be much happier in your own bed."
"I'm awake… I'm awake…" Kim mumbled as she cracked open a vacant staring eye, clearly not awake as yet.
A power nap normally did her a world of good, this one had not. It told Sadie in no uncertain terms how tired and worn out Kim truly was. Kim half-sat up, still in her battlesuit, and blearily stared around the cockpit with the pillow in her arms. She yawned, her eyes drooping shut as she began to lie back down.
Sadie looked at Kim with fondness then shook her head with regret, a red button flashing on the console. The hermetic forcefield around the cockpit disappeared, the cold air of the hangar flooding the cabin.
"Sadie!" Kim yelped, her eyes snapping open.
"Bed!" Sadie stated, her arms crossed. "I warned you last time that I wouldn't let you sleep in here again."
"I know, I know," Kim grumbled. "S'not fair, though!" Stupid hangar, and needing to be kept colder than the rest of the base.
She was too exhausted to complain anymore, so she poked her tongue out, and sat up. She opened her duffel bag then set about stuffing everything inside, even Dr. Steel's gauntlets. She slung the bag over her shoulder, grabbed the pillow, then stepped up on the rim of the hovercraft and dropped to the floor below.
Even this drowsy she landed as lithe as a cat, the exertion helping her tired brain.
Sadie's right, I'll be much happier in my own bed, Kim thought. And, darn it, she was just looking out for me. I shouldn't have been so cranky with her. She looked back up at the docked hovercraft, a glass screen slowly descending in front of it. "I'm sorry for being so grumpy, Sadie. And thank you for everything," she called out.
"You're always welcome," Sadie replied, her voice echoing down from above.
Kim watched the glass screen click into place, and the sealed alcove immediately fill with high-pressure steam, all part of the automatic cleaning process. Kimmie the AI had amusingly referred to this particular hovercraft as the Liberace hovercraft, and the name had just stuck. It was larger than Drakken's normal designs, as it incorporated some of his best ideas. Amazingly, it was Shego who had put it together, but in her absence Kim had requisitioned it for Sadie.
Kim gave a playful salute to her unseen pilot, adjusted the bag over her shoulder, and headed for the lifts. She had no idea what time it was, and it truly did not matter. She was collapsing into bed as soon as she got home, already planning on switching her kimmunicator to silent.
I need sleep, a week's worth if I can. So if the world's not comin' to an end, then I don't wanna know about it.
She barely paid attention to the massive hangar around her and the various tarpaulin covered vehicles sitting silently in their bays. The whole area was vastly different to how she had originally seen it those many months ago. Gone were the simple stone walls and dingy lighting, replaced by polished, shiny walls, bright, friendly lights, and splashes of vibrant color all over the place. She had initially worried about the power consumption, but Kimmie had told her that properly lighting the whole base was nothing compared to activating a second hard-light AI.
And I had to go and do that, didn't I… Kim thought, with some chagrin.
She exited the hangar and walked down one of the many well-lit corridors of the lair, the smooth stone passageway occasionally punctuated by the recessed blast doors that every base needed. Unlike a normal lair though, the floor was covered by a thick navy blue carpet, the walls dotted with paintings, and the various side tables along the hallway displaying colorful flowers. No villain worth his salt would be caught dead in such a place, but that was because it was no longer a lair … now it was so much more.
Kim stopped at the lift with her finger poised over the call button, then quietly said, "Acapulco was a bust."
It was spoken to the empty air, and there was no reply, but she knew she had been heard.
~o~
Kim stepped out of the lift and into another corridor, though this one had a nice sea green carpet and paintings of tropical islands along the walls. She glanced right, along the hallway, and at the reinforced blast door at its end, then turned left and walked towards another blast door at the other end. As she neared the huge door the yellow warning lights around its edges began to silently flash, followed by the clank and groan of hidden machinery.
So tired…
She stood there as the heavy steel door ponderously, almost silently opened, no longer impressed by its almost ten feet of reinforced titanium. It finally ground to a halt, and she walked forwards.
It was pitch dark inside after the brightly lit corridor, but she knew her way through off by heart. She ignored the door shutting behind, a happy smile crossing her lips as she looked around at the dim outline of palm covered sand dunes under a starry sky, pale moonlight filtering through the thick canopy. It was all a mixture of Drakken's hard-light technology, holograms, and real life all woven together to perfectly simulate reality.
Home.
A waxing moon was visible through the palm fronds, along with a sky full of twinkling stars. A glint of water could be seen between the trees, and wafting through the palms was a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sound of waves lapping at a seashore. The phantom night was pleasantly warm and quiet, with only the occasional faint cry of a gull in the distance or the chirp of a lonely cricket singing out to accompany the waves.
She walked forwards, her pace increasing as a beach house became visible.
This was her home, her tropical hideaway, and it was all hers, far from the prying eyes of the press and the public. And safe, too. She no longer had to worry about her family's place being caught in the crossfire or her parents and brothers being put in danger, all because of her. That it was designed around what Shego liked was entirely on purpose, and she could not wait to show it off to her.
I know I've only been away for a week, but it feels so much longer.
She trotted up the small flight of steps and onto a large, enclosed deck, a distant flash of lightning highlighting the beach behind her. She turned and eyed the impressive clouds on the horizon, knowing that somewhere out in the Pacific there was just such a storm.
Beautiful.
She closed her eyes as the faint sound of thunder rolled over her, the relaxing sound doing more than any massage.
It's gonna pass me by, but…
She glanced at a hammock hanging over the deck, then at the bag over her shoulder. Food, shower, teeth, and pajamas were all in her thoughts as she stood there, yet it was almost a no-brainer. She unlocked her door and walked inside, dropping her duffel bag onto the couch, then switching her kimmunicator to silent. Grabbing a bed sheet that was already on the sofa, she trotted back outside and crawled into the hammock. She burrowed under the covering and curled up with her Shego scented pillow, a happy sigh escaping her lips at the sound of more thunder.
Perfect, she thought. Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Kilo-India-Mike, One-One-Zero-Zero-Six, Pandaroo."
She tingled all over as her battlesuit retracted into a bracelet that formed over her wrist, picturing the sensations as the touches of a lover … of Shego. She snuggled deeper into her pillow, her sleepy thoughts drifting to her favorite fantasy: of her and Shego fighting the good fight in one of Drakken's lair's. However, in the end, instead of Shego chaining her to a wall to gloat, they ended up in Shego's bedroom, with Kim bound to the bed as Shego had her wicked, wanton way with her … over and over and over again.
~o~
A fresh breeze ruffled the palm fronds as the storm passed by, but Kim was fast asleep by then.
Inside, her kimmunicator lit up with a message, but it went unseen and unheard.
~o0o~
A familiar, whistling tune drifted through the palm trees of Kim's tropical paradise, stopping as its bearer spotted the dark and silent beach house. It pondered the situation as it twirled an envelope between its finger, then it silently walked onto the veranda and looked down at Kim, frowning. There was a sigh and the rolling of eyes before a pair of pale green arms gently picked the sleeping beauty up, sheet and all, and carried Kim inside.
"Shego…" Kim murmured in her sleep.
She relaxed as calming words were whispered in her ear, and then she was gently tucked into bed. In the process, she wrapped her fingers around her visitor's wrist, refusing to let go. There was a huff and some silent grumbling from her companion, then her Prince Charming slipped under the covers and curled up behind her.
~o0o~
It was a wonderful, waking dream for Kim, and not her first, to picture Shego in bed with her. The how and why never mattered, all that was important was that Shego was here. Eyes closed, she ground against her dream girl, whimpers of frustration and need escaping her lips. She ran a hand along that sensuous body, tender skin and soft breasts greeting her questing fingers, before they inched their way lower.
"Keep this up, and I'll think you're actually interested," a familiar voice rumbled by Kim's ear.
Kim's eyes snapped open as she spun to look at her bed buddy. For a split-second she thought it was Shego, her heart soaring, but then she spotted the tell-tale, infinitesimal differences on that pale green face. She turned beet red as she realized they were both in bed, together, stark naked and pressed up against each other, and that her hand was intimately situated between her companion's thighs.
"Sheridan!" Kim yelped as she desperately scrambled away. She ended up falling out of bed, dragging the sheet with her. Covering herself as best she could, she brushed the hair out of her eyes and looked up.
"You really are frustrated when you wake," Sheridan stated as she levered herself up on an elbow. She lay there unconcerned with her nakedness as she looked down at Kim, her statuesque body on display.
Oh, geez! Oh, geez! Oh, geez! Why do these things always happen to me? Kim thought as she tried not to look at the hard-light AI … her traitorous eyes had other ideas. Why'd I have to make her so gosh darn perfect?
"Seems you're still way too stressed," Sheridan drawled. She leaned over and opened a drawer, and pulled out Kim's favorite vibrator. "Even with your enthusiastic morning and nighttime activities."
What?! How– How does she even know? Right now it did not matter. Sheridan knew, and Kim's embarrassment became all encompassing. Even her toes poking out from under the sheet turned a blushing red.
"Kimberly is worried about you," Sheridan stated. She pointed the sex toy at Kim. "So let me help you with that, so she shuts up about it."
Oh my god?! "No!"
"Your loss," Sheridan said, tossing the vibrator aside. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. "Is there something else in your toy box of fun that you'd like to try?"
This can't be happening? Kim thought, desperately shaking her head. She scooted away across the floor until she bumped into the wall, nowhere else to go. "Kimberly. Avatar!" she called out, but no hard-light version of herself appeared.
"Did you bump your head when you fell?" Sheridan asked, advancing. "You know that doesn't work in here. You specifically asked for it not too."
"I know, but–" She swallowed, regrouping. "Can you please put some clothes on? And can we please stop talking about my sex life?" Or lack thereof.
"Oh, stop being such a prude!"
"Hey! I am not a prude!"
"Really?"
She gave Kim a withering look of disbelief, then quick as a snake she grabbed the edge of the sheet and pulled Kim to her feet. Kim almost panicked and called her battlesuit into play, but reason prevailed. The suit was for real emergencies, not embarrassing ones. Plus activating it would alert Wade, and this was not a conversion she wished to explain to him. She twisted herself free and backed away, a death grip on her cotton shield.
"Clothes, please?" Kim begged.
"Done!" Sheridan said.
Kim breathed in a sigh of relief, her guest now in a dark green top, black jeans, and biker boots. She knew the outfit well, it was one that Sheridan wore most of the time.
"Thank you," Kim said.
"Whatever," Sheridan snorted.
"So, um… why are you here?" And in bed with me?
"Letters from Wade," Sheridan replied, gesturing with her thumb at two envelopes on the floor. "And since you've been away for a week, and have had plenty of sleep, you need to drop in and see your mom."
"Mom's home?"
"Well, doy! What'd I just say?"
"She's normally at work."
"It's Saturday."
"Oh…"
"Good comeback, you doofus. Well, I'll tell Kimberly that we're on our way." She turned and walked out of the room. "So hurry up and get dressed, or I'm coming back in there to drag you over," she called out.
Kim slumped against the wall, head on her knees as she recovered from her unexpected waking.
Why do my friends always wanna help me with my sex life? At least Monique hasn't– She thought about that. Well, at least she hasn't tried sleeping with me. I'm monogamous. Well, I will be, once I start dating Shego. So, I guess, I'm monogamous in training? Yeah, that's the ticket.
She stooped down and picked up the letters, her name handwritten on both their fronts, and return address of Italy and Scotland on their backs.
They're prob just some special fan mail, but they'll have to wait. 'Cause I bet Sheridan's just itching to burst back in here and embarrass me some more.
She tossed the letters onto the bed and went to drop her sheet, then paused. Quickly walking over to her door, she closed it, and with another thought, locked it.
~o~
Kim stepped out of her holosuite and into the Omega Lair's hallway to find Sheridan leaning against the wall and filing her nails. How that worked with a hard-light projection Kim did not know, but it was such a classic Shego pose that it sent a wave of nostalgia rushing through her. Life had been so much simpler back then. Just a hero saving the world from a not-so-beastly villain. No aliens, or invasions, or world altering computer viruses. Not even any properly evil villains until after the Lorwardians.
"'Bout time," Sheridan muttered, without looking up. She tossed her nail file aside, the small implement disappearing in mid-air.
Then, beside Kim, a hand's breadth away, Kimberly the AI appeared.
Kim smiled at her doppelgänger, or Kimberly as she now called herself, the first hard-light AI in existence. It was through her that Kim had found out that the Omega Lair could support a second hard-light persona. Kimberly and Wade had warned her against bringing a second online, but neither had categorically said no. Kim had wrestled with the complex and moralistic questions involved in such an undertaking, but in the end she had chosen to go ahead. She rationalized that it would give Kimberley someone to interact with. Plus, deep down, Shego had done it to her, so it was only fair that she return the favor. So Sheridan had been born. Unfortunately, Sheridan's personality was not what Kim had expected, and she was still getting used to the newest member of their group.
Kim gave Kimberly a hug, though the AI's appearance was no longer quite as similar as it had once been. Kimberly still had a slim yet athletic build, well-tanned skin, and olive green eyes, but she now sported a shorter, off the shoulder hairstyle, complimented by a vibrant black and green streak running down one side of her fringe. She was decked out in a variation of Kim's mission gear of a short-sleeved, purple shirt, black pants with a purple line down the sides, and sturdy combat boots.
"Welcome home, stranger," Kimberly said, as soon as they parted.
"Yeah, it's good to be back," Kim replied. After a week away with barely any change of clothes, she was enjoying the freedom of shorts, a loose t-shirt, and bare feet.
"Lookin' pretty relaxed too." She raised a questioning eyebrow at Sheridan. "Did you two…?"
"I offered, she said no," Sheridan replied.
Um… Kim thought. That sexy wake up wasn't an accident?
"Maybe it's time for Plan B?" Kimberly muttered.
"I still say we go for the Scorched Earth intervention?" Sheridan said.
Plan B? Scorched Earth? Kim thought. "Guys, I'm right here."
They both glanced her, then went back to ignoring her as they continued to talk about her.
"Hey, I'm not a little girl," Kim said, stamping her foot. "Can you please stop interfering in my love life?"
"No," they both replied in unison.
Kim opened and closed her mouth as she tried to find an argument to help her case. Faux was bad enough, but now her single status was affecting her home life.
What if Mom finds out what they're doing? Or… Oh? Oh, geez! What if Dad does?
"C'mon, your mom's waiting," Kimberly said as she linked her arm with Kim's.
Kim fell into step with Kimberly, while Sheridan silently walked beside them. Halfway along the corridor the lift chimed in arrival, and Sadie stepped out in her android body.
With the lair unable to handle another hard-light AI, the easiest solution was a robot body. Between Wade, Dr. Vivian Porter, and Monique a suitable chassis had been created, which Sadie used whenever she wanted to move about the base. The idea had proved so popular that Wade and Co. were in the process of building two more android bodies, one for Kimberly and one for Sheridan. They would give them the freedom to leave the base, no longer restricted by the lair's holo-emitters.
Kim smiled at Sadie as she fell in step with the three of them.
"Again, sorry about last night," Kim said. "My own bed was so much comfier than the backseat of the Liberace."
"Girl, you were tired and upset, there's nothing to be sorry about," Sadie replied.
The accepted apology did Kim a world of good, then her senses tingled as Sheridan moved in-behind her. She glanced at Sheridan, Sadie, and Kimberly, then at the approaching blast door. Suddenly the entrance to her parents' place didn't seem so welcoming.
Something's off? Kim thought. Why are they all here? This is like totally suspicious? Maybe I better– She shook her head and dismissed her worries. Geez, I'm being like totally paranoid and stuff. I've got bad guys on the brain.
She passed through the doorway without incident, arriving in an empty room. Two windows let it twin rays of sunlight, while a plain wooden door provided the only other exit. She looked down as her arm was released, Kimberly stepping back out into the corridor with Sheridan and Sadie.
"Guys?" Kim said.
"Family talk time," Kimberly replied as way of explanation. She pointed her finger at the open door and lowered her hand, the blast door coming down.
"Ciao, Kim," Sheridan said, smirking. "You're in so much trouble."
"Sorry about the subterfuge, Kim," Sadie said as the door shut.
"Ha, ha, very funny. Now open up and explain?" Kim called out.
There was no reply.
She grumbled and stomped back over to the door, but it failed to open. She waved her arms in front of the sensors, but there was no reaction. The emergency override switch did not work either. Reaching for her kimmunicator, she realized it was back at home on the couch.
"Ooh," she grumbled, jabbing a finger at the steel door. It's so not fair that they ganged up on me like that! They're making a mountain out of a molehill that I haven't been home in a while! Mom understands, she always has. It's no big.
She turned and walked away and out the other door, and onto the front porch of a suburban house.
I really can't believe that this is my life. That I live on a simulated island, and that my parents live in a simulation of our neighborhood.
Around her, and perfectly recreated within the Omega Lair, was her home suburb, and there, right across the street from her, was her parents' house.
I can't thank Kimberley enough for doing all this, agreeing to house Mom, Dad, and the Tweebs until it was safe for them to move back home. And that she went above and beyond, and actually built them their own holosuite. She admired the hills in the distance and the sun in the sky as she headed across the street. I know it's mostly fake, apart from our house and yard, and a bit around the edges, but it's still all so gosh darn amazing.
She reached for the door handle.
Really, what can't this place do?
~o~
Kim quietly closed the front door behind her, the entryway of her parents' house just so picture perfect. She rested against the wooden frame as she soaked in the atmosphere, just happy to be home.
No matter the villain, the mission, or the day I've had, everything feels right when I come home. She tilted her head, frowning. Sheridan has to be wrong? There's no way my mom would be upset with me? Not for being away for a week. She gnawed on her lip. But what if I'm wrong? No, I can't be… Can I? Argh! This is gettin' me nowhere. She pushed off the door and headed down the hallway.
"Mom, I'm home," she called out, though the wonderful aroma in the air led her towards the kitchen.
"Kim?" Mrs. Possible replied, her happy tone echoing down the hallway.
Kim walked into the warm and welcoming feel of the kitchen to find her mom sliding a tray into the oven. She grinned at the cute cat motifs on her mom's apron and oven mitts, a house warming gift from Kimberly.
"What's cookin', Doc?" Kim asked.
"Brownies." Mrs. Possible replied, standing up.
Yum, she thought as she was greeted with a motherly hug of affection.
"How's my little girl?" Mrs. Possible asked, stepping back.
"I'm good. Really, really good," Kim replied. "I think I slept for over a day, and boy was it needed."
"Mhm," Mrs. Possible said, a glint in her eyes. "Would you like something to drink?" she asked, waving for Kim to sit.
"Ooh, please and thank you. I missed breakfast." She caught the look from her mom as she sat at the table. "I only just woke up, and Sheridan rushed me over before I could eat anything."
"I see."
"And, um… I'm so sorry for being away and everything."
"Why are you sorry?" Mrs. Possible asked as she poured them both a cup of coffee.
Oh? "I was given the impression that you were upset with me?"
"That'll be Sheridan, I guess?"
"Yeah, mostly."
"She does like the dramatic, but I could never be upset with you over that. You're a grown woman, after all. In fact, your father and I are immensely proud of everything you do for those in need–"
Phew!
"–But, we do need to talk about this worrisome attitude of yours while you go about it."
Uh-oh!
Kim shifted uncomfortable as her mom sat down opposite her, a drink placed in front of her.
"Did you really let a building fall on you just so you could see if your battlesuit worked?" Mrs. Possible asked.
Oh geez! I forgot all about that! She stared at the cup in her hands, seeing no way out. This is sooo the drama! She took a sip of her drink, her throat desperately dry as she tried to find the right words. I've faced down aliens and killer robots, so how hard can it be to explain? Unfortunately, no situation could compare to this. It was the one thing she could never handle - an upset parent.
"I… ah, yeah. I sorta did," Kim mumbled.
"Oh, Kimmie," Mrs. Possible said, sadly. "You never used to be so reckless." She offered out a hand, and Kim took it. "What's really troubling you?"
That her mom had asked her for the root of the problem instead of berating her for her recklessness signified the closeness of their relationship. Kim knew exactly where her issues stemmed from. It wasn't a secret. But she had kept to herself just how much it was affecting her.
"It's Shego," Kim said, dropping her head.
~o~
Kim leaned back into the lounge sofa as she mulled over everything she and her mom had discussed over the last hour or so. She hadn't realised how much stuff she had been bottling up over the last few months, and it had just come pouring out. She smiled at how patient her mom had been, as she had rambled on and on about every little thing she could think of. And during it all, her mom had laid out some maternal wisdom for her daughter.
Don't ambush Shego with what I want for us. Allow her to make the first move. And don't force the relationship, or I'll push her away. It went against everything she had been planning, but it also made a lot of sense. Yeah, if someone came at me like I'm doing… I'd rebel. Mom's right, I see a problem and I attack it head on. Shego ran, so I chased. I never even considered that she might need some time or space.
She listened to her mom in the kitchen, then went back to her musings.
If you really, really like someone, set them free. If they come back they're yours. So I'm going to take Mom's advice when I find Shego, and no dinners, movies, or asking her out. It'll be hard, but I can do it. She blushed even though she was alone. Then nature can take its course.
"Here we go," Mrs. Possible announced as she walked back into the room, a tray full of food and drinks in her hands.
"Mom, you were so right about everything," Kim said, sitting up.
"I like to think we mothers are," Mrs. Possible replied.
They both laughed, then helped themselves to the freshly made sandwiches and juice, brownies for dessert. Kim's empty stomach growled in anticipation, and she devoured her first sandwich with gusto. She was well into her second before she slowed down, leaning back with a happy sigh.
Saving people and skipping meals do not go hand in hand, she thought.
"Kim, with what you told me about these men who attacked Shego, and what you wanted to do to them, I'm worried that I'm losing my little girl?"
"It scared me too, Mom."
"Would you be… willing to see someone about it?"
Oh? Kim thought, pausing in mid bite. She put down her sandwich and looked at her mom. "You mean like a therapist?"
"Yes, a psychologist. You travel all over the world and fight these clearly unhinged villains, it can't be good for you. I know I'll never truly understand what you go through, but your Dad and I are worried about you."
"I'm fine, really. I was just having a bad day–"
"Months," Mrs. Possible interjected.
"Yeah, months," Kim reluctantly whispered. She's right, but a therapist? Wade's mentioned it a few times, but still…
"I have one in mind. She's very, very good, and here in Middleton."
She has one in mind, already? "But talking with you has always been good enough for me."
"I know, but it's obviously not enough anymore. How about a compromise, then? See her for one session, and then it's up to you if you want to keep going?"
"That… sounds reasonable." Wake up, have lunch with Mom, and get bundled off to a shrink. Ron was right, I can do anything, even need help.
"Oh, and Kim, one more thing," Mrs. Possible said.
~o~
I can't believe that Mom grounded me! Kim thought as she trudged back to her place.
It was one little building, and I knew I'd be fine. Well, pretty sure. She threw her hands into the air. It's so an overreaction. She vigorously kicked an imaginary rock out of her way. I bet Shego doesn't have to worry about being grounded, and psychiatrist's, and stuff.
~o0o~
"What do you mean I'm grounded?!" Shego yelled as she walked into her villa's kitchen.
"You heard me," Mrs. Go replied as she continued to cook breakfast.
Shego stood there in just an overly large t-shirt, hair disheveled from just waking, and glared at her mother's back. It achieved nothing. She stomped over to the central counter and slammed her hands onto its top.
"Explain!" Shego growled.
"Oh Firefly, do I really need to?"
"Yes! Yes you–" She swallowed down a swear word. "Yes, you do!"
Mrs. Go did not immediately reply, instead she served up some bacon and eggs in front of Shego, then pushed the plate towards her. It was her mother's calm demeanor that riled Shego up the most, but it was also a warning sign. She ground her teeth as a juice was poured, the sound of the glass coming down on the marble counter quite loud in the silence between them.
"Well, firstly, you said you'd call if you we're going to be late coming home," Mrs. Go said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Fuck! "I was busy, and forgot," Shego said.
"And that you would stop drinking so much."
"I had my reasons." She glanced at the empty scotch bottles by the bin. Kimmie reasons.
"And that you'd never miss a doctor's appointment."
"Again, reasons–"
"Not good enough, Firefly. Now, I've made you a new appointment for next week. So until then, you're grounded."
Shego ignored the wonderful smells coming from her plate and the hungry growls from her stomach, they could wait.
"You know I could make you–" Shego started to say.
"Ut!" Mrs. Go said, holding up a finger, her expression turning serious. "If you finish that sentence, you know what's in store for you?"
Shego grumbled something unintelligible under her breath, then stormed outside and sat at one of the covered tables by the pool. It was another perfect day in paradise but she saw no reason to enjoy it. Being restricted and being told what to do pushed all her buttons, and she sneered at the brilliantly blue sky.
I bet Kimmie doesn't have to deal with this shit.
~o0o~
I still can't believe Mom grounded me! Kim thought as she trudged into her holosuite. Kimberly, Wade, they all knew, and they all ganged up on me. It's so not fair!
She walked through the forest of palm trees between the entrance to her suite and her beach house, the warm sun shining down. She ended up on the shore with the waves lapping at her feet, staring out to sea, deep in thought. After a while she slipped a hand into her pocket and pulled out a business card.
Dr. Jill Erikson, Psychologist. She twirled the card between her fingers. That Mom was so worried that she looked up someone for me… She sighed and dug her toes into the sand, and murmured, "I don't wanna see anyone, but I will." 'Cause I won't let you down, Mom.
She didn't know how long she stood there, but she tilted her head as she heard approaching footsteps from behind. She had a brilliant, analytical mind and an ear trained for the minutest of details. She knew the sound of her family's footsteps, the extra heavy ones of Sadie, and the light, all too personal tread of Kimberly. Which left…
"Having a good mope?" Sheridan asked, walking into view.
"Not in tha mood," Kim replied.
"Don't care."
"I really would like to be alone."
"Tough! You got blindsided, so you need the company."
It was like an apology, and it helped Kim's mood. "Did Kimberly send you…?"
"Nah, she's off running a full system diagnostic. So I thought I better come down here before she badgered me too."
She's not my Shego, but there's enough in there that she cares. She'll never admit it, though. She brushed her hair back behind an ear and stepped closer. "I thought I was, you know, grounded?"
"Meh. It's grounded, not solitary. Besides, rules are for losers."
Yep, she's all gooey inside, just like Shego.
Standing there together she felt her spirits rise. It felt good, and she embraced the feeling. She raised an eyebrow as Sheridan's attire changed into a black and green, one-piece swimsuit; nothing sexy or provocative, just functional. A beach umbrella materialized in one of Sheridan's hand's, and she unfurled it and stuck it in the sand, then a chair appeared, which she collapsed into, a pair of sunglasses now on her face.
"I'll take a Mai Tai, waiter," Sheridan said, waving a hand at Kim. "Now chop-chop, off you go, and don't skimp on the rum."
She's right, company is better, Kim thought, rolling her eyes in amusement. Still, she's not allowed to make things just appear in here. "That's all a bit cheaty, isn't it?"
"Deal with it," Sheridan replied, crossing her arms behind her head as she stretched her legs, a smirk upon her lips.
Oh, I'll deal with it alright.
Kim took a few steps into the ocean, cupped her hands full of water, and tossed it all over Sheridan. The resounding yell of shock and surprise was music to Kim's ears, and she let out a shriek of merriment as Sheridan leapt out of her chair and charged at her.
Totally worth it!
Combat. Adrenalin. Excitement. She loved them. Even if it was a mock battle, against a mock Shego, on a mock island.
~o~
Kim walked onto her beach house's deck with a massive grin on her face even though she was completely drenched from head to toe.
That was sooo much fun.
She wrung out her hair, then stepped inside, heading for the master bedroom. A shower and a change of attire was in order, as unlike Sheridan, she couldn't just will fresh clothes into existence. She hung a right and entered her room, the whole motif of her house designed with a balinese feel in mind. A low set, king-size bed dominated her bedroom, while various shelves along the walls held the entire Kim and Shego toy line from Chez Shégo. She knew it was a bit weird having collectibles of herself, but they had all been sent to her, and it felt wrong not having the whole set on display.
She moved the letters to her bedside table, and grabbed a change of attire, then heading for the bathroom with clothes in hand.
Note to self: have another talk with Kimberly about what can and cannot be done in my holosuite.
She took her time in the shower, as her hair needed a good and proper wash after yesterday's battle. She found herself humming the Oh Boyz' latest hit as she went about her ablutions, her mood much improved after her tussle with Sheridan. Clean and washed, she exited the bathroom, and eyed the two letters.
Well, I've got a week of lounging about to contend with, may as well see what Wade sent me.
She opened the envelope from Italy and unfolded the crisp white letter within, and began to read.
Oh?
She stepped back with wide eyes and sat down heavily on the end of the bed, a hand across her mouth.
~o0o~
Right, I think that's Kim all caught up in the current storyline. Last chapter and this ended up being the Kim centric chapter I promised oh-so-long ago, and as you can see, I had a lot to say.
As for that biblical opening, I found dozens of variations based around that saying. I chose one that fit my purposes, and then paraphrased away.
Because 'Home is where the heart is' was a while ago and such a long story, I'm making sure that I reintroduce various elements as they show up in its sequel. The Liberace hovercraft and the Omega Lair are perfect examples of this. Plus, more of those long forgotten plot points I started years ago, like: Attraction(Diablo), Shego following clues, and the second hard-light AI.
After all, everything is connected.
~o0o~
