Chapter 41 – Best Kigo
(8:06pm)

Back at the opera house, Faith Hill's song about Sharper's native state came to an end and the house lights came back up. Sharper went back up to the podium to address the crowd.

"And welcome back to the 12th Annual KP Fannies where we are in the fifth of 14 segments, and these are usually the biggest ones of the night!" he announced, "They are the awards for Best Kigo and Best Kim/Ron. For the award of Best Kigo, I would like to invite the Kigo delegation consisting of Love Robin, Juche, Emperor of Dreams, Sheki Go, GerbilHunter, The Ambiguous Fool, Lhyaran, and The Supreme One to come to the stage.

The seven Kigo writers were in a group, led by Robin and Gerbil. They went onto the stage, one by one. All of a sudden, the Kigo couple of Kim and Shego also stood up. The Kigo Kim and Shego were both in denim jumpsuits with high heeled boots.

Sheila could not believe her eyes. She had to rub them in order to make sure that she wasn't dreaming.

She glared at Dr. Lipsky, who was squirming in his seat.

"Drew...I want to ask you this one question: Did you turn off all the machines?"

"Honey, I swear! I...I did turn them off!" Drew said, panicking.

"Then why do I see another version of me in a relationship with Kimmie?" Sheila demanded.

"Uhh...ermm...I may have to use the little boys room!" Drew stammered.

"You'd better have a good explanation once you get our of this!" Sheila sneered at her husband.

Drew ran as fast as he could out of the auditorium.

Gerbil then tapped on the microphone.

"The idea of pairing a heroine with her adversary, goes back a long while in the world of fandoms. For example, when Harley Quinn was abused by the Joker, she decided to go out with fellow rogue member Poison Ivy. They went to have a..."

His speech was interrupted by Robin whispering into his ear.

"Huh...oh!" Gerbil muttered before adjusting his tie. "Wrong concept! My bad!"

LR then took the microphone and said,

"Haya! It's a pleasure to be here t'night. As an administrator for the KP Slash Haven as well as both the Kim Possible and the newer Kim Possible FanonWikis, I don't get out as much as I used—or want—to.

Now up for consideration is Best Kigo.

It is amazing to think how Shego, a character who was intended for a one-shot appearance, garnered so much instant popularity she and her employer Dr. Drakken were called back so much they became Kim Possible's de facto top villains and arch foes. The chemistry between Kim and Shego resonated with many fans who refused to believe it (and their animation) was not intentional.

So Kigo, the shipping name given to Kim and Shego foe yay yuri slash stories and art was born.

Opposites attracting is a long-standing and nearly clichéd trope of story telling, so of course frenemies, Kigo abounded and became quite popular and thrived to the point of becoming the most popular pairing after the Word of God Canon relationship of Kim and Ron. Hell, depending on who you talk to, may even be more popular than K/R. But we're not here tonight to restart any shipping flame wars. No, we're here to celebrate Kim… and Shego.

Lhyaran also announced, "There have been so many interesting Kigo stories through the years of this fandom's existence. Me, Emperor, Gerbil, and AF are just that continuing line of authors in this day and age."

Emperor looked at the Kigo Shego and remarked, "Nice jumpsuit!"

"Why thanks!" the Kigo Shego replied with a smile. "I got it from Club Bana..."

"Oh no she didn't!" yelled Bonnie from her royal box. "She got that from a thrift store!"

"Says the woman whose pants often fall down just to get the tabloid headlines!" the Kigo Kim shouted.

"Just lez it up and raise TV ratings!" Bonnie countered.

"You're not going to force us to kiss for your own personal gain, Bon-Bon!" the Kigo Kim countered. "We can show our affection when we want."

"Yeah, yeah," the Kigo Shego snarked. "He also put wires in Kim's pigtails. She'd look like Pippi freaking Longstocking!"

"And I wasn't in the contest then," Bonnie injected haughtily from her royal box, rocking her custom-tailored, baggy coveralls hanging off her behimd and showing her boxers. "We all know how it would have gone then."

"Sure, Bonnie," Kim said tiredly. "You would have surely won it all," this last in a mocking monotone.

"I like Pippi Longstocking."

"Ron?" Kim stared at him.

The Kigo Shego snorted. "Any redhead in a storm huh, Buffoon? And the King put you with Bonnie. Must be one of her favorites!"

The lottery winner darkened. "As if!"

"Yeah, the things these guys do to get Ron out of the way, so they can put us together," Kim said in a resigned tone. "KiY at least gave him a girlfriend."

"Two," interjected Ron. Kim shot him a dark look. He stuttered a little. "Uh, yeah, I really don't like that part, either."

Kim kept looking at him. "So, you don't mind me and Shego together? You just don't like not being part of it?"

"Uh, of course I want to be with you. I mean, um..." The blond looked around desperately.

In a totally ill-advised attempt to alleviate Ron's distress, gerbilHunter interjected, "To get on with the presentation-"

"You shut up, Hunter of Rodents," ordered the Kigo Shego. "I'm enjoying this." Meanwhile, Kim's glower was getting ever darker as Ron continued to sputter.

"Well, there are a lot of awards-"

"Look, gerbil. You made me a pathetic loser desperate for redemption. You understand I'm not all that happy with you already, right?" A green glow swirled around the Kigo Shego's hand.

Gerbil swallowed nervously. "But I made you a pathetic loser desperate for redemption with a, with a, um, shutting up now."

Emperor then proclaimed, interrupting a possible melee "And the nominees for best Kigo are..."

Worth it by The Ambiguous Fool

"Maybe, but you aren't trusting my decisions." She held my waist. "I like to play as much as you do." She slid her hands underneath my shirt, but keeping her hands on my waist. The sensation wasn't without a bit -of shock. "I get a little nervous at first. Because it's new. A little unknown." She ran her fingers up my back taking me into a hug while keeping her eyes locked on mine. "But I don't have any regrets." She wraps her arms tighter, her fingers grazing my sides, "So you can relax whenever I go a little further than expected." I wrap my arms around her. "It's not like we haven't been dating before, even if technically this is our first real one."

"Yeah, but we were figh-"

"Talking. For years. I think we can do a little more now. I promise it'll be less painful, literally."

"So…" I took her arms and pushed them down. She mistook this as rejection initially. When I reached her hands, I forced them to my butt, "...this is okay?"

She nodded slowly with a small blush, "Mmhm." She gave me a little squeeze and we both huff a laugh.

"Alright, but let me surprise you with something. You can't have all the fun."

"Deal." We pass by the store and I see a rather shameful smirk appear on her face. I don't ask, I just enjoy the look. We walk around, window shopping as we originally planned, just enjoying each other's company. As we wrap up the night she looks at me with a happiness I hadn't seen before, hugging my arm as we stroll to the parking lot. "Where should I drop you off?"

"Hmm, your place?"

"Very funny."

"I don't suppose you could spend the night with me?"

"I want to, I really do. Just need to wait a little longer. Lots planned, I promise-"

"I don't doubt it'll be worth it, Pumpkin."

She smiles, "So?"

I sigh with disappointment, "Closest to Middleton is a little lair near Meadows Park."

"Sounds pleasant."

"Dr. D. thought he could clog the city sewers with super flowers. He decided to build a lair there and start working on a super pollen on some daisies. They died immediately." She snorted. "Yeah yeah, I'll show you where the gate is."

"You trust me?"

"Well, yeah. Besides, not like you wouldn't find it anyway."

We got back in her purple SUV and drove off.

Mirror of the Soul by Hopeful Husky

"Ooooh… that's normally a signal for there's definitely something to tell". Kim leaned forward and almost slipped out of her chair. The alcohol was definitely beginning to get to her.

"I don't want to talk about it", Shego seemed to squirm a little in her chair.

"Come on. You don't have just one little steamy sexy story you want to share with me?"

"I said I didn't want to talk about it!" Kim saw a definite flash of angry green light come from Shego's eyes.

"Really… well after all this time it appears the mighty Shego is more sexually repressed then I am".

"You think so", Shego's head whipped around causing her hair to sway wildly and Kim almost fell over trying to follow it with her eyes. "Well why don't you just prove it then".

"How would I do that?" Kim giggled.

"Kiss me".

"What!" Kim's hand froze in midair as she was about to take a drink and her eyes grew huge in surprise.

Shego uncurled her legs from her chair and stood directly in front of Kim. She displayed only the slightest of wobbles courtesy of all the alcohol she had consumed.

"If you're really so unrepressed and think I'm beautiful then give me a kiss".

"I was speaking of how aesthetically pleasing you look", Kim set her drink down with a shaky hand.

"Then this should be a piece of cake, unless you're afraid do it", Shego head tilted slightly to one side and the grin she gave was absolutely feral.

"With everyone watching", Kim cast a wary glance at all the patrons still left in the bar.

"Sure. Let's give them all a cheap thrill. Watching us, it's all they've been thinking about all night anyway".

"Be careful what you ask for", Kim's face hardened as she stood up on wobbly legs but righted herself before she fell down. She moved in front of Shego until she was so close she felt the other woman's accelerated breathing on her lips.

"At your leisure, my lady". Shego held out her arms while smiling with slightly puckered lips.

Rebounds by The Emperor of Dreams

Kim walked up to Shego, who was a little worse for the wear. Kim suspected her body would be covered in bruises after tangling with Wego and Hego, but frazzled as she was, she still looked relieved. The sight of her reminded Kim that she would likely be hurting herself, once the adrenaline wore out. They had both been through a wringer. But the crisis wasn't quite over yet.

"You did it. I almost didn't believe it, but you did it."

"We did it. We saved your brothers, and caught the bad guys. Well, girls."

"It's finally over."

"It's almost over."

"Yeah, we still need to get Electronique and Adrena Lynn into custody, and make sure my brothers are in the clear, but I'm sure it'll work out."

"With Electronique's testimony and me to vouch for them, I'm sure their name will be cleared. That wasn't what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Shego..." Kim played with the modified Attitudinator helmet in her hands. "There's something I've struggled with lately, and I wish I could ask for your advice, but I can't. It has to be on me." Kim looked at Shego, her expression determined.

"Kimmie?" Shego's eyes strayed to the device, then back at Kim's face, filling with panic. "No, Kim, don't—"

Kim's finger touched the activation stud. "I'm sorry."

Bright flash surrounded Shego. Her body went rigid, then slumped forward, disheveled hair falling to obscure her face. Kim waited, holding her breath while her heart raced in her chest.

Shego looked back up at her, face contorted with fury. Kim flinched as green glow lit around her clawed fingers. She slashed, and her claws cut right through the Reverse Polarizer.

Kim dropped the sparking and smoking remains. "Shego, I hadn't turned Electronique back yet."

Shego glanced towards the ex-villainess, then back at Kim. "Poetic justice, Kimmie. Serves her right." Her expression was neutral, but Kim hoped she glimpsed some guilt in it.

"How do you feel?"

"Like crap, Kimmie. I was beat up by Wego of all people, and I exhausted myself pretty bad using my Glow so much." Shego grimaced.

Action & Reaction by ShadowDancer01

Ann maneuvered Shego into helping her get something out of the barn, getting them alone without anyone, even Shego noticing. Shego had the items Ann had wanted and turned to see Ann looking at her with a serious expression on her face. "Oh crap, this was a setup. All right. What do you want to talk about?"

Ann waited until Shego had put the items down and stood glaring at her, one hip cocked to the side. "I wanted to talk to you about Kim. It is obvious you two love each other."

"Whoa, you heard Kim; we are just working together, nothing more." Shego raised her hands in protest.

Ann gave her a hard look. "You can lie to each other about your feelings, you can even lie to yourself about them but they are still there. You love Kim and she loves you. Don't lose that or throw it away."

Shego gave her a somber look. "OK, I love Kim but she doesn't love me. You heard her; she is only working with me, nothing more."

"Don't be stupid, Kim loves you but, like you, she won't admit it. Give her time to realize how she feels."

Shego nodded sheepishly. "If you say so."

"I do." Ann looked at her for a moment. "Just remember to never hurt her. If you do, I will make your life a living hell."

Shego looked her directly in the eye. "Don't worry, I never will."

KP Shadow Plays by CelendilAU

Kim's silence continued, then before Shego could prompt her for a response, Kim surprised her by slipping into her arms and giving her a tight hug.

"It's okay," she said softly. "I understand. And in the circumstances, there's nothing to apologize for, even if.. what you said hurt them.. it's probably for the best."

She shuddered slightly, and Shego wrapped her arms around Kim, returning the hug.

"I wish we could tell them the truth," Kim continued, whispering into her ear, sending a tingle down her spine that she did her best to suppress. "But.. right now, it's just safer if nobody knows that I'm alive, that I'm looking for the people who did this.."

She trailed off, and then pulled back. Shego let her go, and watched on as she sat down heavily again. "It's better neither of them know what I did to rescue Dad."

It was Shego's turn to frown, and she looked at Kim, who was wringing her hands over and over. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Kim kept her gaze on the floor of the jet, and shook her head. "Shego.. I.. when I was stopping those soldiers from… from killing Dad.. I had to... I had to.. I didn't have a choice, I had to.." She trailed off, and a sob escaped her. Shego leaned forward, and gently lifted Kim's face to meet her eyes.

"You had to do what you had to do," she said firmly. "To protect your family, to protect the innocent."

"I killed someone," Kim cried out, the pain in her voice clear as day. "I threw him against a wall and broke his neck, and that was after using someone else as a human shield and getting him shot by his own..." She trailed off again and Shego folded her arms around Kim, pulling her tight into another hug.

"You did what you had to, Kim" she repeated softly. "And I know you wish you didn't have to, and that, more than anything else, is what makes you different. That desire to do everything to avoid killing, that makes you amazing."

She squeezed gently. "I know it won't help right now, but you have to believe me when I tell you that it isn't your fault, and you aren't a bad person for having done it."

"How can you say that?" Kim asked vehemently. "I killed someone!"

"How many police officers have had to take a life to protect the innocent? How many of them are bad people?" Shego asked softly, unknowingly echoing the words of Kim's therapist. "Sure, there are some bad ones out there, ones who don't follow the rules, but we give police weapons and training to take that lethal step because society knows that sometimes it's required, because sometimes it's the only option to save lives."

All's Fair in Love and Way by Lhyaran

Shego turned her head and spat, her teeth stained with blood. Wiping an arm across her face, she winced in pain. While bruises, cuts, and breaks were part-and-parcel of their lifestyle, this altercation had been different. Shego had literally put her body on the line to help. The rush of emotions that poured through Kim almost overwhelmed her, and she had no words to express her gratitude.

She's an idiot and a thief, but she's MY Idiot Thief! Kim thought. She reached out and gently traced the fast-healing bruises covering Shego's face. As if on cue, Shego's hand rose and took hers, their fingers lacing together.

Kim blinked, wondering when Shego had freed her arm.

"So, you said I could ask you out… for coffee, to talk?" Shego inquired.

"Shego…" Kim whispered, the woman's oh-so-innocent question loaded with hidden meaning. She could feel her heart thundering away in her chest, and there was no alcohol or submission this time. And Shego was so close, Kim's attention drawn to those pale green lips. It was a spur of the moment decision, butterflies filling her stomach as she leaned down.

Shego rose to meet her, and they kissed.

There was no life altering reaction like Germany, but this kiss … this one Kim would remember. How Shego tenderly held her as she cupped her face, the sweet taste of those oh-so-soft lips, and how she arched beneath her.

She never wanted it to end.

Kia Ora, everyone!" Juche introduced himself "I'm Juche from New Zealand, and it's my honour to present the Best Kigo award!"

Juche opened the envelope. "Bugger me, mate! The Golden Rufus goes to All's Fair in Love and War by Lhyaran!"

Lhyaran looked up as the spotlight fell on him, confusion on his face. One of the authors at his seat leaned over and said something, and a goofy grin split his face. He went up the stage to accept his Golden Rufus.

"Um… well, thank you, thank you all so, so much," he said, holding the statue tight against his chest. "I thought it would be fun to write a New Year's Eve story and to see what shenanigans Shego could get up to with her Glow." He looked to say more but controlled himself. "Again, thank you all so much for this wonderful award."

He exited stage right, humming the Kim Possible theme under his breath, as did the other members of the Kigo delegation.