~o0o~

Sunlight filtered through Kim's bedroom as she silently read the letter Wade had sent her. She reached the end then instantly reread it, not believing her eyes or her rapidly beating heart at the moment.

Dear Kim,

The Go Household and family are celebrating Sheridan Go's birthday on July the 28th at our estate in San Siro, Lake Como, Italy. We would love it if you could attend as a surprise for Sheridan. If you would like to stay for the week, please RSVP at your earliest convenience.

Margaret & Alan Sacks

Shego… Birthday… Italy… Kim thought, her mind spinning at the possibilities. Mom was right, I just needed to be patient. She rolled across the bed and picked up the landline, but found the connection dead.

Ah yeah, Kimberly's doing maintenance. Kimmunicator? She looked around then snapped her fingers. Out on tha couch! She leapt to her feet and raced to the lounge, grabbing her kimmunicator.

What's this?

There on the screen of her kimmunicator was the picture she had taken of herself and Shego on the island those many months ago. She had the exact same photo framed and on her mantelpiece. However, this particular image told her that Shego had tried to contact her during the night.

She messaged me! She actually messaged me, and I missed it! Why am I just standing here? Read it, you doofus!

'Shego: hey'

It was short and simple, but Kim did not care. It was contact.

Of all the nights to switch my kimmunicator to silent. Quick, message her back!

'Kim: hey yourself'

She waited patiently for a reply, but eventually gave up after a few minutes of staring at an unresponsive screen.

She's probably super busy or something, she thought. "But at least we're talking." She looked up the Sacks' contact information – Shego's adoptive family – and dialed.

Nothing happened.

Hm?

She double checked the number, and tried again.

Silence.

She looked down as her kimmunicator vibrated, a popup saying that her message had failed to send.

He wouldn't? She glared at the unresponsive device. He did! Wade actually cut me off because I'm grounded! She glanced up the hallway towards her bedroom. And I bet that's why the landline isn't working either! She stuffed the letter and the kimmunicator into her pocket and marched for the door.

Well, two can play at this game!

She wrenched open the front door and stopped, Sheridan standing in front of her.

"Going somewhere?" Sheridan asked, an eyebrow raised in question.

"Sure am," Kim replied, stepping forwards.

"No, I don't think so," Sheridan said, an arm shooting out to block Kim.

"And why's that?"

"You're grounded. So no running off to your mom's place to use the phone."

Geez, who went and made her my jailor? "Look, this is important!"

"I'm sure you think so," Sheridan replied, not moving. "And that being grounded interferes with your social life. Well, too bad! Just sit back and relax, and enjoy your week off."

Yeah, no. I don't think so. "I think I'll let mom have the final say about that."

"Won't work. She's gone shopping."

Kim could see they were at a stalemate unless she was willing to escalate things, and she really did not want to ruin her living room right now. She glanced sideways then turned and ran, diving through an open window. She rolled and came up running, Sheridan a few steps behind. Fleeing from an armed opponent was always a risky move, even more so when they were a copy of a living weapon. Kim threw herself to the side just as a glowing ball of green light flashed through where she had just been, and she came up facing Sheridan.

She's taking the whole good cop, bad cop thing a bit too far, Kim thought as she took in the excited look in Sheridan's face. "Who made you my jailor?"

"I'm just enforcin' tha rules, and keepin' you safe," Sheridan replied, a little too much joy in her voice.

"Look, this is silly. Just let me pass. You know I'll get through in the end?"

"Ohhh, Kim, of course you won't!" She changed her stance and gestured for Kim to come at her. "I can beat you without even laying a hand on you."

No way? She balled her fists, looking for a way around. As much as I'd like to make her eat those words, I have a phone call to make. "Not happening!"

"I love it when you play hard to get!"

Oh? Did she… just flirt with me? Distracted, she barely dodged a glowing fist. The next blow came even closer as she leaped back. "It's Shego!" she yelled, pulling the letter out and waving it in Sheridan's face.

Sheridan instantly stopped her attacks and stepped forwards, and snatched the piece of paper from Kim's hand. She read it then looked at Kim, an indecipherable expression on her face.

"This is only a few weeks away," Sheridan stated.

"I know," Kim stated.

"You need to reply."

"I know!" Kim exclaimed, her exasperation coming out. She relaxed now that they were on the same page. Yeah, shoulda led with 'it's Shego'. "Could you, like, turn the phones back on?"

"I could. I won't." She held up a finger as she stared off into the distance. "There. Done. I've informed Wade of the situation." She chuckled as she handed the letter back to Kim. "Seems you were stressing over nothing. He's already passed on your intention to stay, and you'll be leaving on the nineteenth."

"Really?"

"Really!" Sheridan replied, rolling her eyes. "Now, shoo. Go back to being grounded."

"Thank you," Kim gushed, wrapping Sheridan up in a great big hug. She's such a big softy. She felt Sheridan tense then relax, before returning the embrace. Eyes closed, Kim missed Sheridan's outline distorting for a split-second. "I would've won, you know," Kim whispered. "And there's no way you could've beaten me without touching me."

"Care to put your money where your mouth is?" Sheridan asked, stepping back.

"Always!" Kim replied, dancing out of range with a smile on her lips. She was running on a high at the good news, and there was no better way to celebrate it than with some sparring practice.

"Stakes?"

"Winner gets control of the tv remote for tha week."

"Sounds good."

"And no cheating!" Kim said.

"Like I need to cheat!" Sheridan replied.

"I know you."

"I'll only use what I've got," Sheridan said as she held up her empty hands, smirking.

Kim nodded, but she was wary of the look in Sheridan's eyes. It told her that something was up, and that she would have to be ready for whatever trick was used. She took in a deep breath to relax herself and let the quiet of the surrounding forest wash over her. Without warning she sprung forwards, using Shego's own tactics against Sheridan

Sheridan smiled at her. An open, honest smile. Then her clothes simply disappeared. Kim was suddenly face to face with a completely naked Sheridan and it brought her to a sliding stop. Too startled to look away, she stared unabashedly at her Aphrodite's slender, athletic build and perfect proportions.

"Come get me, Kim!" Sheridan said, huskily. She ran her hands through her raven-black hair, letting it cascade over her shapely shoulders. "I'm completely at your mercy."

While Sheridan's hard-light body was identical to Shego's in every possible way, Kim had never felt anything but friendship towards her. Confronted by Sheridan's naked, statuesque form, pale green skin almost glowing in the sun-dappled light, and the deliberate double entendre and come hither gaze, Kim's entire world was rocked. She tingled all over as she watched those perfect breasts rise and fall, her wide-eyed gaze drifting lower…

A neuron fired.

Oh god! she thought, spinning around. Oh geez!

She closed her eyes, but the sexy image was burned into her brain. She knew she had lost. There was no way she could grapple, grasp, or fight with Sheridan like this. Unfortunately, her overactive imagination filled in the blanks, even as she felt Sheridan approach.

"And that's how you win a fight," Sheridan said, from right behind.

~o~

Kim ran into her bedroom and slammed the door shut, locking it behind her.

Da-Dammit! I'm not allowed to think about her like this!

"Come get me, Kim…"

Kim shivered and squeezed her eyes shut as those sultry words echoed through her. It didn't help, the fire of need had been lit. In a whirlwind of action she closed the windows and pulled the blinds down then turned the stereo on, not trusting Sheridan after her reveal of Kim's masturbatory shenanigans.

It's been a long week without you! she thought, glancing at the vibrator still on her bed.

There was no need for porn or to start slow and build herself up, her desire too strong. She pulled off her shirt and threw it against a wall, glad she had forgone a bra. Next off were her shorts and panties, discarded to a far corner of the room. A towel was hastily laid on the bed, then her trembling hands plugged the vibrator's power cord into the wall socket. Throwing herself onto the comforter, she spread her legs, desperately needing the release.

Think of Shego…

A simple touch sent her eyes rolling back in her head, the best yet to come. She nestled back into the pillows and closed her eyes, the subtle, throbbing hum of the vibrator sending her arousal into overdrive.

Think of Shego

They were on the bed together, and she was straddling Shego's sexy green thighs. She let Shego's unique scent envelop her as she leaned in close, the phantom kiss making her toes curl and her back arch. She moaned and lost herself in the fantasy, Shego naked. Beautiful. Kissing her. Fucking her. Nails raking across her flushed skin.

She bit her lip … and brought the vibrator down onto her–

A familiar, trilling sound filled her senses, then pain – searing, absolute pain – all throughout her skull.

No! Not now!

She sat up clutching her head, the world swimming in and out of focus. She scrabbled for support as she she leaned over the edge of the bed, trying not to throw up.

Wh-Why me?

It wasn't a tumor or cancer, or any of the thousand other possibilities that her symptoms always exhibited, the world's best neurosurgeons still unable to diagnose what was wrong with her. One theory was a psychosomatic reaction brought on by post-traumatic stress disorder from the Lorwardian invasion. While the weirdest idea was an inter-dimensional, space alien parasite. She was just thankful that the paralyzing, debilitating attacks of a few months ago had turned into some sort of occasional migraine. So she had moved on with her life, until someone could give her an answer.

It's not that bad… It's not that had… It's not that

She had no idea how long she just sat there rocking back and forth, but eventually the pain receded and her vision returned.

Ow…

That… was bad.

She slowly lay back on the comforter covered in sweat, but there was a smile on her face.

I'm gonna see Shego. So it's still the best - day - ever!

~o0o~

Will Du straightened his immaculately pressed jacket as the high speed lift zoomed its way down into the bowels of the earth. The New York skyscraper far above was the new face of Global Justice. Its flashy design a symbol of world safety and security, helping to bridge the gap between the old and the new. As always, Central Command was located deep underground, watching and reacting to flare ups all across the globe, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Punctual to work as always, Will started running through what would be needed for the day. He was still planning and organizing the day's activities as the lift chimed in arrival, and he stepped out into the noisy, bustling hub that was Global Justice.

Flashing his badge at the security station, he headed off down the well-lit corridor towards the main changing rooms. He nodded at various agents as he walked, soon arriving at the locker rooms. Quickly changing into his Global Justice uniform, he stepped back outside and stopped. His personal assistant, Agent Philippa Stephensen, was waiting for him.

"There you are," his assistant said, that eternal annoyance in her voice.

Oh well, so much for coffee, Will thought. He gave her a smile – he had been practicing – but it bounced right off her ever-present frown. "Why are you meeting me here, and not in my office?" Walking up to his assistant, he paid close attention to the single report in her hands. "Was the weekend that bad?"

"Yes. And no," Agent Stephensen answered, terse as always. "Here," she said, holding out the folder, the words 'strictly confidential' stamped on its cover. "Also, Dr. Lipsky is waiting in your office."

"My office?" he said, pausing in opening the file. "He doesn't have clearance to be in my department."

"Agreed. He was able to get in, somehow. And he's refusing to leave until he's spoken to you."

"You didn't call security?"

"He's one of our top scientists. It would look bad. And I know you interact with him socially."

Our karaoke nights.

"He's created quite the disruption amongst our agents."

Give me a dangerous mission over bureaucracy any day of the week, Will thought. I'm not cut out for a desk job. He was an agent used to the action on the front line. Unfortunately, his latest promotion felt like a demotion. Babysitting a bunch of spandex wearing do-gooders. Whose qualifications are practically non-existent when it comes to helping people.

He tucked the folder under his arm and marched off down the hallway, Agent Stephensen at his side. After passing multiple department's, all with shiny plaques by their doors, he finally stopped at a door labeled: 'WHILD'. In a simple black and gold font, the wording stated: World Hero Interdependence and Liaison Department.

Or, the babysitters club, he thought.

Will stepped up to the door and swiped his access card, pressed his hand against a security panel, then lowered his eye for a scan. The door opened, and the two of them walked inside.

The hustle and bustle of the outside hallway was replied by the muted sounds of agents hard at work as they organized and directed the world's heroes. Except, the agents weren't. The normally orderly desks and chairs had all been moved to the side to create an open space in the middle of the room, and standing in the center of it all and surrounded by agents in rapt attention was Dr. Drakken. He was dressed in a scientist's white lab coat, his once longish hair now cut shorter and tinged with grey along the temples. Apart from his blue skin, he would not stand out in a crowd. That is, until you caught his gaze. There was something there. Call it deranged, crazy, genius or all of the above, his eyes told you that there was so much more to the man. Those orbs pulled you in and sucked you down. Making you believe that anything was possible when the creativity of mad science ruled your days.

One mandatory weekend away, and this is the mess I come back to, Will thought. He looked around at the unattended computers and all their unchecked monitors, then turned his attention back to Drakken.

Chaos! Simply chaos! And in my department, too!

Will pointedly cleared his throat. It went unheard. He tried again, a bit louder. There was still no acknowledgement. He frowned, and was about to call out when he was finally noticed. Slowly, each and every agent looked his way, then scurried back to their desk's. Will let his stern gaze follow them before he strode up to Drakken, unsurprised that the man hadn't even noticed that his audience was now gone.

He does love the sound of his own voice, Will thought. "Dr. Lipsky?"

"And there I was in the Peruvian Rain Forest," Drakken said with overdone theatrics, "with both Shego and Kim Possible under my complete control–"

"Dr. Lipsky?!"

"Please, save your questions for later," Drakken said, his arms raised for his storytelling.

"It's Will!"

"Ah, Will?" Drakken said, smoothly turning to face him.

"My office. Please!" Will did not wait for a reply, marching off to his room. "And, agents, get this room back in working order. I'll want a full recount of the weekends activities once I'm done with Dr. Lipsky!"

Around him agents leaped to obey, and by the time he sat behind his desk the situation room was once again back to how it should have been. He watched Dr. Drakken sit down opposite him, and the two of them stared across the desk at each other.

"Now, Drew, what can I do for you?" And afterwards, you can tell me how you got past our security systems.

"You didn't show up Friday night," Drakken said, hurt in his voice.

"I didn't show–" He broke in because I missed our karaoke night? "Drew, I said I would try and make it. I couldn't."

"I had to sing 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' all by myself."

How does Dr. Director do it? Will thought. He wanted to sigh and drag a hand down his face. He managed to do neither, but only just. How does she keep such a calm disposition while dealing with the insane? "Drew, a simple phone call wouldhave sufficed. Why did you feel the need to break into my department?" Disregarding so many of our regulations.

"Will, Will, Will, we're all one big, happy family here," Drakken replied.

"Well–"

"And really, the bureaucratic restrictions on all your departments are truly evil. Far more diabolical than anything I would ever do."

"But–"

"As to why I'm here, I'm cancelling my next lecture on the ins and outs of villainy. Some personal matters have arisen." He leaned forwards, dropping his voice. "This means my tracking chip needs to be disabled."

"Um–"

"I'll leave it all in your capable hands." He pulled a file from his coat and dropped it onto the desk. "There's the specs on how to deactivate the chip without damaging it."

"Drew, you can't dump all this on me and just expect it to happen!"

"I can't?" He looked quizzical for second, then rallied. "Yes, of course I can. You're adequately in charge, after all."

"Well, yes. But there are other factors at play here. Other departments that will need to be involved. As for your chip–"

"Good, good, I see you have it all under control." Drakken vigorously shook Will's hand then headed for the door. "See you Friday." He exited the room and passed through the outer office, softly humming happy birthday to himself. It brought a lot of strange glances from the agents, and for Will.

Will leaned back in his chair as he wrapped his head around what he had been asked to do. While Drakken did work for their science division, he still fell under Will's jurisdiction as a bad guy turned good. Rescheduling the lecture for all the heroes involved would be annoying, but doable. Disabling an agent's tracking chip, even temporarily, was impossible. Let alone for a former villain of Drakken's caliber.

It can't be done. He opened the file Drakken had left, the pages full of technical scribbles. But I know he's found a way. And that he'll do it, with or without my help. Damn, I didn't even ask him what was so important.

He pushed the folder aside and opened the one underneath, the one his assistant had handed to him. He read the summary. Read it again. Then punched the button on his intercom.

"Philippa, get me Kim Possible!"

"Yes, Sir."

~o0o~

It is amazing what can be achieved when there is an extremely competent person in charge with an attitude that never takes no for an answer. Through sheer force of will Dr. Director had saved Global Justice from the ruins of the Perses Virus and rebuilt it and rebranded it into the powerhouse it had now become. Risen from the ashes of meddling and mismanagement, she now wielded supreme control. Using her organization as a scalpel against the tumorous villains of the world.

Dr. Director sat back in her chair as she drummed her fingers on her desk, slowly analyzing the email from Will Du. Not a week went by where she didn't receive some frustrated correspondence from Agent Du about some matter or another. This though… this did require her full attention. She leaned forwards and pressed the button on her intercom.

"Naomi, get me Kim Possible."

"Right away, Ma'am," Agent Wilson replied.

Dr. Director looked around her office as she waited for the call to come through, her room exactly the same as her old office in Washington, D.C. Dominating the area was a massive wooden desk, saying in no uncertain terms this was the director's office. One whole wall was dedicated to monitors displaying Global Justice missions all around the world. Over next to the door was a meeting table, big enough to seat a dozen people, and right next to the table was a single wall sized monitor for depicting Global Justice's other activities. Scattered around the room were a few chairs and also a large and comfy couch, a foldout bed for those many nights when work kept her here. In the back was a well-appointed kitchenette for those late nights and long meetings.

She turned back to her desktop's monitor as it changed.

"Dr. Director," Wade said, his friendly face on screen.

Not who I was wanting, but who I was expecting," Dr. Director thought. 'Wade, I need to speak to Kim."

"As I told Will, she's incommunicado for the week."

"I see." He's stonewalling me, just like he did Will. Kim's always contactable. Something's up. "I'm afraid I have to insist."

"Sorry, it's really not possible. I'll let her know you called, though."

Yes, something is definitely up. Look past his age. Remember he has a genius level IQ. And that if he didn't work with Kim, he'd most likely be a supervillain by now. She flashed him a smile. "That won't do. This is important!" You're playing mind games, Mr. Load. So let's bring you into it. "I'm sure you know what this is about?"

"I do," Wade replied, his face turning serious.

"So you know how much trouble she's in?"

"Actually, she's not," he said with certainty.

"She took evidence from an active crime scene. And more than just evidence, a city destroying weapon."

"The Hero Act of fifty-eight clearly states that Kim can decide what to do with any tech she retrieves from an encounter."

"Yes, yes, I know all about the Hero Act. But this was a Global Justice mission, so that means any and all artifacts fall under our jurisdiction."

"Kim and I see it differently. So I think it's best if you to talk to our lawyer on the subject."

"Lawyer?" Dr. Director said, her tone rising in surprise.

"Alan Sacks, from Sacks, Sax, and Saks. His specialty is–

"International hero law." I know him by reputation, all too well. This'll be Shego's doing. "Before we go dragging lawyers into this, can you explain to me why Kim removed the gauntlets?"

"That's need to know at this stage."

I need to know! "Global Justice needs to know for security reasons."

"I'm afraid you don't."

She focused her ice glare upon him. Lesser men had wilted under that stare, yet Wade remained unfazed. It was the safety of the internet, she realized. There was also no way to know if she was even on his screen. She watched him take slurp of his ever-present drink as he typed away, his attention now elsewhere.

"I've added your name to Kim's 'to do' list, and I'll make sure she sees it when she's able," Wade said.

Diplomacy first. Lawyers later, Dr. Director thought. "Fine."

"Though, she is busy for the next month with social engagements."

She is? Interesting. "Then remind her that WHILD still needs her to come in for a full debriefing."

"Will do." He chuckled at his pun. "Wade out."

She let him go, feeling no need to continue the conversation.

If he didn't work with Kim, I'd have shut him down years ago. Maybe I still should? Without him to lean on, she may gravitate back to us? She jotted the idea down in her notes section. And it can't be a coincidence that both Kim and Dr. Lipsky have social events on at the same time. She wrote it down as well. Maybe there's a way to exploit… whatever it is, so I can get Kim to voluntarily reconsider joining Global Justice? Especially with Shego out of the picture.

She looked over at her map of the world.

Wherever she is.

~o0o~

It was another perfect day in paradise on the secret island hideaway. A lone, pale green figure lay under a beach umbrella next to the crystal clear waters of the ocean, indifferent to the beauty of nature all around her. Beside her was a bottle of scotch in some small contraption to keep it cold, though it currently remained unopened.

Shego rolled onto her back, eyes closed behind her dark sunglasses.

So bored, she thought. Being grounded sucks. But at least it's only one day til freedom. Then it's back to Dr. Erikson, She poked out her tongue, and hunting down this Conquistador asshole.

That she would be sunbathing even if she wasn't grounded did not escape her, she just refused to acknowledge it. She shifted onto her side and stared at the bottle of scotch.

Mama won't like it that it's before lunch, but what she doesn't know…

She reached for the bottle, then froze as she heard approaching footsteps. She looked back and up, watching as her mother came into view down the narrow, sandy pathway, then onto the beach proper.

How did she know? Shego thought. "What?" she growled.

"You received a phone call," Mrs. Go said, her knowing eyes moving between Shego and the scotch.

"Don't care. I'm grounded, remember?"

"It's from Wesley."

"And you didn't answer it?"

"Of course not. You know why."

Shego grunted and held out a hand, her untraceable Drakken phone placed into it. She lay there as her mom left, and eventually sat up. Shifting her sunglasses to her forehead, she checked her messages, still none from Kim.

Yeah, she can't stand me. Not after what I did in Acapulco.

It felt like her heart was slowly being ripped out, but she pushed the feeling down. Walled off her emotions. It was the only way to stay safe and sane in this world. She felt the sudden urge to move about, so she stood up and trudged along the beach, splashing in the small waves as she returned her brother's call.

"Shez!" Wendell said, his happy voice filling her ear.

"Hey you," she said, smiling.

"I'm here too!" Wesley piped up..

"As always, you rogue. So, what's up? What can I do for my two favorite brothers?"

"You haven't returned any of Alan's or Margaret's calls."

"Or Henry's."

"So we're here to make sure–"

Uh-oh! she thought.

"–That you show up for your birthday party."

"Guys–" she started to say.

"Don't even try it, Shez!"

"It's not that. It's just–"

"Don't you love us?"

"Want to see us and celebrate your special day with us?"

Fuckin' emotional blackmail! she thought. Yet it was working. "Look, I could maybe drop by. Briefly."

"That's great. You can pick us up on the way!"

Um, what?

"We've got a lot of heavy stuff. So just swing by Go Tower, and we can all fly out on the jet together. Since, you know, we're not technically old enough to fly it by ourselves as yet."

"What about Henry?" she asked, looking for a loophole.

"He won't be here. But we knew you'd be happy to take us."

They played me! "Fine! I'll pick you up and we can all fly over."

"It's in San Siro this year, so pack for swimming. And Shez?"

"What?"

"We'll need to be picked up on the nineteenth, and we'll be coming back on the fifth."

"That's–" She looked down as the call disconnected. Why those dirty little– That's two weeks in Italy! And I agreed! Gahhh!

She stood there and stared out over the glittering ocean, lost in thought. She had nothing against birthdays in general, it's just that her's brought up all sorts of unwanted emotions. It was on that very day that the meteor had hit, changing her and her brothers lives forever. She had avoided celebrating it while working for Drakken. Of course he had tried to find out, but she had painfully reminded him that personal matters were way out of bounds. Now though, she had her amnesty and her freedom, and her brothers and adoptive family were circling once again.

And I'll go. She pictured a smiling Wesley and Wendell. Because they want it so much.

Sunbathing had lost what little charm it had, so she packed everything up and headed up the hill. It was a short walk, barely a minute before she was on the deck by her pool. She dropped all her gear onto a table, then headed inside.

"A birthday party? How exciting," Mrs. Go said.

Shego grunted in reply.

"Any thoughts on what you'll wear?"

"Shorts and a t-shirt," Shego said. "It's just a–"

"Birthday party! And you can do so much better. How about that pretty little green dress you bought recently? It would be perfect for an Italian summer?"

Hell, no! "Mama, I am not wearing a dress, any dress, to a party!"

"Tch. Don't be so stubborn. You looked adorable in that dress."

"I don't care! I don't like 'em!"

"And what would Kim think about that?"

"She's not…" She pinched her nose in exasperation. She's never going to let this drop. "Mama, we're not together!"

"And whose fault is that, hmm?" Mrs. Go did not wait for a reply and headed for Shego's set of rooms. "Since we've got a few weeks before your party, let's see what we can do about the rest of your wardrobe!"

Why me? Shego thought as she hurried after her mother, needing to protect her clothes.

~o0o~

Why me… Sue Donym thought morosely as she stared out the limousine's window.

She knew why, she just hated being out and about in her natural form like this. But if her target refused to play ball, then necessity would dictate a drastic response. She would enjoy that, but until then she was exposed. She hunkered back into the limousine's leather seat and stared out the window, all too aware of the two burly, human-looking cyborgs accompanying her. They were nameless entities to her. Here to keep her safe and to enforce her will.

Why me

She found herself toying with the cuff of her business suit's sleeve, the healthy pink complexion of her hand jarring to her eyes.

That's not me. Not anymore

Her temporary change in appearance was all due to her villainous boss. He had used Camille Leon's ability to morph, creating a range of products that could – for a while – mask her gray skin, hair and eyes. Camille had been all too happy to donate whatever was required for the promise of untold riches. It had worked. The former socialite remaining none the wiser of their true, long term plans. Then Sue had stepped back into the shadows, making sure that Camille received all the accolades and the credit. To reap the rewards of their marvelous invention.

I'm the connective tissue that binds us together.

Sue giggled quietly to herself and went back to watching the streets of Beverly Hills pass by, and soon they stopped at the wrought iron gates to a large mansion. She was still lost in the past as she looked up, the building's silhouette reminding her of home. It brought with it a sense of overwhelming dread, the sight too much. She couldn't breathe. Best forgotten memories, ones hidden beneath layers of psychosis rose to the surface. A mother, gone. A predatory father, who abused her. His cohorts she had been passed around too. Then, that night: her rebellion – leaving her bloody and broken. The panic from all involved as they covered it up. Then her indescribable death … still alive as the industrial microwave reduced her to dust, from the inside out.

Yet she did not die. Not truly.

Trapped between light and dark…

A whisper of a ghost…

Lost…

She had been found by him. Saved by him. And he had given her purpose. And revenge. The horrors she had visited on those involved had warmed her frozen heart. Now her father's severed, living head was a permanent trophy in her room.

"Are you okay?"

The question from one of Sue's bodyguards snapped her back to the here and now, her body dissolving into mist. She grimaced and regained control of herself, pushing the memories back down. However, there was nothing that could be done for her clothes, or her complexion. A gray hand was raised, the lining and the edges of her business suit now faded to gray.

"I'm fine…" she whispered.

She half-listened to a brief conversation between the limousine driver and an intercom, then they were driving up the winding road to the mansion. They stopped in front of the elegant building, built for someone with very expensive tastes and an eye for style. There were dozens of other cars parked nearby, unexpected and unwanted. She reached into her handbag for some more color-changing blush, shrinking back as the chauffeur opened her door for her. She glanced past him at the sounds of loud music and partying coming from inside the mansion.

A-A party? I don't think I can– She flinched as the front door flew open, Camille Leon staggering out.

"Sue! How ya– How ya doin?" Camille yelled, drunkenly. She raised both her arms as she staggered down the wide marble steps, an open bottle of tequila in hand.

Camille had always been runway model thin, and time and money had not changed this. She had permed her long, blonde hair and streaked it with a variety of different colors, and her normally blue eyes were currently tinted orange and green. She literally sparkled as she reached the limousine, her skin glittering like diamonds in the midday sun. Her designer shorts, top, and jewelry almost out of place.

"Sue, it's been too–" Camille said, burping. "Too long!"

"It has," Sue replied, inching away.

She froze as Camille yanked her out of the limousine and engulfed her in a massive hug, only to find herself having to keep the tipsy woman upright. She gritted her teeth and stepped back when able, Camille swaying unsteadily in front of her. Camille's eyes were bloodshot behind the tinting and her breath stank of alcohol, and her manic gaze told Sue that harder substances had been on the menu.

"I see you've been enjoying your color-changing products?" Sue said.

"Like, totally!" Camille replied, and she turned on the spot to give Sue the full effect. "And what about you?" She stepped back and looked Sue up and down, frowning. "Still with the gray? You really should let me give you a proper Camille Leon makeover."

"I'm fine, really. I'm just here for our meeting." And it was meant to be private, not a party. "So is there someplace that we can do our business, alone?"

"Thanks to you and your mystery boss, I've got a whole mansion of rooms that we can speak in. C'mon." She linked arms with Sue and marched her back up the steps. "Then we can paaarty!"

"Oh? Uh…"

Sue and Camille entered the mansion, the thumping bass washing over them. Sue shrank into her business suit as best she could, the entire house seemingly one big party. Disco balls and laser lights flashed in time to the beat, while men and women in all stages of undress danced, socialized, and more wherever Sue looked. She quickly glanced behind, breathing in relief at the sight of her bodyguards in close proximity.

"You've got yours, I've got Jake and Trevor as my personal security," Camille said, nodding at two suited men on either side of the doorway. "If there's one thing that I learned from being on the wrong side of the law, it's that you can never have too much protection."

They headed upstairs, and after Jake and Trevor had cleared the conference room of amorous couples, Sue and Camille were finally alone.

Safe! Sue thought, taking a seat at the large table. Crowds, while in this form, we're not her thing. Then again, anywhere exposed like this was like nails down a chalkboard to her.

"So, Sue, what can I do for you and my mystery benefactor?" Camille asked as she plopped herself down into a chair and swung her feet up onto the table. She leaned back as she took a swig of tequila, her unfocused gaze wavering over Sue.

She's off her head, Sue thought."Camille, before I left, I said your assistance would be needed in the future. Do you remember?"

"I do. It was a total downer. Especially since you'd just given me the whole enterprise."

"Well, it's come to–" She blinked. "Are you taking drugs?"

"It's good stuff!" Camille said, looking up from her line of cocaine. "Want some?"

"No!"

"Well, I've changed my mind."

"I said 'no'."

"No, I've changed my mind about helping you. It all sounds like such a drag. Plus, I'm fabulously wealthy now. Why should I risk it all?"

"We made you rich!"

"With my help! So, anything else, or shall we get down to partying?"

"I don't think you understand," Sue said as she nervously shuffled her feet. "My boss doesn't take 'no' for an answer!"

"Too bad! Mercenary work isn't my thing anymore!" Camille dropped her hand under the table and it was immediately followed by four burly security guards rushing in through a side door. "I've decided you're uninvited, so these gentlemen will see you out. Ta ta!"

Sue shrunk back in her seat as the men approached, her fingers playing with the emergency call button in her pocket. A quick decision was made. She looked up at their stony faces as a hand came down on her shoulder, the man tapping his sidearm in warning.

She reached up and lightly touched the guard's wrist.

Sue's form faded into the background, ice filling her veins as she ceased to be. Around her the call of the void howled for her, but she was stronger now. In the blink of an eye she flowed over the security guard, possessing his weak and feeble flesh. His skin turned gray then back to normal, and she looked up, dark gray eyes flashing as she looked around, a grin dominating her face.

Sue flexed her new Jake arms, a wild, crazy look on her face. The gun came smoothly to her hand, and she emptied the clip into the nearest guard.

"Wh-What are you?" Camille shrieked, falling backwards and out of her chair.

"Your worst fuckin' nightmare!" Sue cackled.

She was already mist as bullets riddled her body, merging with the next assailant. Behind her the door burst open, thumping music filling the room as her own bodyguards charged into play. She turned and tackled the remaining guard out the second story window, flowing back into the room to possess the newly arrived Jake. She stood and winked at Camille hiding behind the table, then danced her way over to Trevor who was being held down. She giggled as she helped herself to a dagger from one of her bodyguards, then she knelt in front of Trevor. She slid a hand down his pants to massage his cock, then she slashed his throat so his warm blood sprayed all over her. She licked the blade, then she spun and eviscerated him, ramming the dagger through his neck and into his brain.

"Bring her! Sue commanded, pointing at the cowering Camille.

~o0o~

The setting sun highlighted the quiet, gated community in upstate Oregon, the aged residents settling in for the night. In the middle of one of the backyards, the well-manicured grass depressed into two large, slightly separated circles. Appearing out of nowhere, was a man. He was resplendent in a double-breasted blue coat and black trousers, accompanied by black gloves and boots. His jet-black hair was swept back into a mullet, completing his ominous look.

He ignored his surroundings as strode forwards, making his way up and onto the back landing. He raised a hand to knock, and stopped himself, then he opened the door and stepped inside.

"Mother…?" he called out, in a cold, nasally voice. It had been harder to say than he had expected, but that was why he was here.

"Drewbie, is that you?" a woman replied.

This villainous aberration of Drakken entered the living room to find Mrs. Lipsky sitting comfortably in front of the television. He easily solved the Jeopardy question that was on the screen, then turned to greet the approaching woman.

"Drewbie, this is such an wonderful surprise," Mrs. Lipsky said. She threw her arms around him and gave him a rib-cracking hug.

Urk! he thought, in pain

He had vivid memories of her hugs, but he had never actually experienced one. Even so, it still came as a shock at how strong she actually was. He stepped back, wincing, and looked down at the small, stocky woman. Mrs. Lipsky was in her favorite yellow dress, with blue-green flowers printed on it. She had on her green tinted glasses and was currently barefoot in the summer warmth, no sign of her signature jewelry since she was at home.

"Don't tell me, you brought that lovely young lady from accounting home to see me?" Mrs. Lipsky said, her face hopeful.

"No. That's not why I'm here."

"Oh, that's too bad. I'm quite looking forward to meeting her."

He looked at her looking at him, waiting for her to say that something was wrong. Off. Different about him.

"Are you staying for dinner? Of course you are," Mrs. Lipsky announced. "I'll whip us up something special, and you can tell me all about your day." She scurried off to the kitchen, whistling happily as she went.

Do it now? he thought, his icy gaze watching her go. No, it can wait.

He looked around, most things where he remembered them being. Yet he had never been here. The 'other' Drakken had – the original, the failure. He perused the family photographs as he made his way upstairs, and entered Drakken's old bedroom. It was lit with a ruddy glow from the setting sun, yet he did not bother with the light. He knew where everything was. Time had seemingly stopped since Drakken had left for college. Overflowing bookcases lined the walls, along with intricate drawings and doodles of fantastical contraptions. The comforter on the bed had a Darth Vader motif and above it was a poster of a young Stephen Hawking.

He hated the sight of it all. They weren't his memories, yet they were. They stifled him. Everything in this house did. He slammed a hand into a bookcase, and a precariously placed book fell and flipped open. He snatched it up in annoyance, the chapter's heading catching his eye.

Janus?

He checked the book's spine, this particular compendium on Roman gods, religion, and myth. He remembered this god's domain, but what really captured his attention as he started to read was that Janus presided over the beginning and ending of conflicts, and hence war and peace. It perfectly mirrored his master plan. As did the fact that Janus was usually depicted as having two faces.

Two of us. Two faces…

He was well aware that referring to himself as simply 'Drakken' wasn't enough of a separation between him and the original Dr. Drakken. That rankled him. True change needed to happen. Now, as fate or the gods would have it, a new moniker had been revealed to him.

Janus. Dr. Janus. Professor Janus. Master Janus. Hrm… I'll have to think on this.

He stood there deep in thought as the room fell into darkness, the sun sinking below the horizon. He smiled manically and tossed the book aside, then grabbed a pillow from the bed.

Time to be done with this life! This charade… of family!

He arrived in the kitchen to see Mrs. Lipsky frying up some potato pancakes. The glorious smell made his mouth water, but he would not be deterred.

Mrs. Lipsky looked over her shoulder at him and at the pillow in his hand.

"Is there something wrong?" Mrs. Lipsky asked, smiling.

"Yes, Mother!" he rasped as he stepped closer, pulling out a futuristic pistol from his coat. "It is time I excised your crippling existence from my life!"

"What–"

He squeezed the trigger and a red beam shot out, striking Mrs. Lipsky. She was enveloped in a reddish hue and froze in place, only her wildly staring eyes looking back at him. He pocketed the gun and gently laid her on the floor, then covered her face with the pillow. He held it in place as he bore down on her, not an emotional muscle moving on his face at her panicked cries … not even when she stopped breathing.

He didn't move for the longest time, but he eventually sat back and stood up. Straightening his hair, he looked around the kitchen as if seeing it for the first time. He sneered, then walked through the house and out into the backyard.

"Proceed!" he announced, stepping forwards and disappearing.

Sue Donym appeared nearby in her Jake body, dried blood on her face, her clothes tinged with gray. She strode towards the house, her two bodyguards appearing behind her, and hanging over one of their shoulders was a bruised and unconscious Camille Leon.

~o0o~

The mission was everything.

Kim flew from country to country, each stop more desperate and frantic than the last. She had come to realize that it was a lost cause, but she would never give up, never surrender. She landed her hovercraft on the building's rooftop and leaped out, her mad dash through the interior going without incident.

She slid to a stop before a door and raised a fist, the barrier opening before she could act.

"Monique, I–" Kim blurted out, stopping herself. The person in front of her was not Monique, but it was most definitely Monique's apartment behind the woman. Early morning. Cute girl at the door. Monique found someone!

Kim instantly sized the woman up and came to the conclusion that this person was not right for Monique. Her best friend needed a free-spirit and not a corporate business woman. Kim would never say such a thing, but it was her honest opinion. Still, she smiled in greeting, the smartly dressed stranger seemingly just as surprised as Kim.

"Hi, I'm Kim," Kim said.

"Alexa," the woman replied, the two of them shaking hands. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to run. Business meeting and all."

"Oh. Um, sure," Kim replied, watching her rush off. Blue-green eyes? How pretty. She stepped inside and closed the door, then called out, "Monique, I need your help!"

"Kim?" Monique replied from the bedroom. "Hangonasec!" A short time later she came trotting out in her pajamas, a loose robe thrown over the top. She had a big smile on her face as she waved at Kim, before she disappeared into the bathroom. There was the sound of running water and then she came back out and gave Kim a hug, her normally perfect hair in disarray. Kim knew that look and recognized the faint aroma behind Monique's freshly washed face.

She's just had sex! Kim thought. I so want morning sex. And afternoon sex, and evening sex. Gods, I want all tha sex!

"GF, this is a wonderful surprise," Monique said as she stepped back, holding out Kim's arms.

"Hey, I'm so sorry for dropping in without calling, but it's an emergency!" Kim said. "If I'd known you had company…"

"It's okay, GF. So you met Alexa?"

"Briefly. She had to rush off."

"Yep, she's got a big presentation this morning." She glanced back at the bedroom. "But I kinda made her late."

"Oh…" Kim found herself blushing as sex, her Achilles heel, rose once again. "Um, are you two serious?"

"Kinda. Maybe. Don't know. It was all a crazy random happenstance in how we met. But it's only been a week, and we've spent most of it…" She gestured at her room.

"In the bedroom?"

"In the bedroom." Monique linked their arms and walked over to the couch, sitting down. "So what's the emergency? What can little ol' me do to help?"

"It's Shego!" Kim exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. "I got two letters a few week ago, one inviting me to her birthday party in Italy, and the other to a private wedding." She turned and started to pace. "I–I can't work out what to get her as a present." She paused and looked at Monique. "I'm hoping you can help? 'Cause I'm leaving for Italy, like, in two days!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Monique said, her tone increasing. "You're going to a wedding, and I'm only just finding out about it now?"

Uh-oh, Kim thought, recognizing the warning signs.

"And just what were you planning on wearing to this wedding?"

"Mo, I was going to ask, honest! Right after I got back from Italy."

"Mm-hm… And what exactly were you going to ask?" Monique inquired, crossing her arms.

"That I need a kickass dress for a wedding, and could you please, please design and make it for me?"

Monique tapped her chin in thought then grinned, her serious demeanor just falling away. Kim knew it had been an act, but she still breathed a sigh of relief.

"When's the big day?" Monique asked.

"In a month," Kim replied.

"Well, that gives me plenty of time to come up with something special. So, in the meantime, let's see what we can do about your Shego problem."

"Spankin!"

~o0o~

I've done my Shego and Kim centric chapters, so this was the chance for some other characters to show what they have been up to. Though, I made sure to start and finish with Kim. It also took a lot of brainpower to get Kim and Shego heading in the same direction sooner than I wanted, but I did it. Yay. Next up, Italy!

And no, I hadn't forgotten about Kim's headaches from Home is where the a Heart is, or the reasons that cause them.

~o0o~