Ch.27

Tara was excited at how smoothly things had gone and just before she made her way upstairs to tell Bonnie, she heard Ron's 'Boo yah!', making her smile a little bit wider.

~~~~~

Ron was ecstatic. He was going on a date with Tara, who normally would be considered 'out of his league'. Even if he hadn't been totally serious when he suggested it, his elation was clear as he left Tara's. He was starting to think nothing could make things better when a text came in from Shego. Only two words. Bueno Nacho. Ron couldn't hold it any longer and shouted. "Boo yah!"

Ron texted Shego his order and made his way home. Just as he made it home, Shego was pulling in with Yori and the food he assumed. Once the car door opened, Ron confirmed it with the smell of the food. Rufus scrambled out of his pocket squeaking cheese.

After dinner they went outside and sparred. Ron was slightly relieved that they weren't focusing on defense since he had yet to figure out what Yori wanted him to understand. Yori explained that they were mostly going to check his decision making and proceeded to begin.

Yori started slowly at first, nothing too complicated. Kicks, punches, arm locks and throws. Ron didn't have to much difficulty responding to Yori's attempts at first then he noticed areas where he was lacking. Yori started doing more intricate attacks. A series of punch and kicks disrupting his form leading into an arm lock. Another set of attacks that resulted with Ron on the floor. And the last one, where he thought he managed to gain the upper hand but Yori took a glancing blow for what would have cost Ron an eye and his life had it been at stake. Ron admitted it once again, Yori was a great fighter and from Shego's grin he wasn't the only one to thing so.

Ron was pretty sure that Shego's was itching for a fight. "Yori care to have a match?"

When Ron heard Shego, he smiled to himself and looked to Yori waiting to hear her reply. After a moment of thought Yori answered. "It would be my honor, Shego-san."

Their spar was amazing. The exchanges were graceful, intricate and lethal. They were constantly changing the speed at which they attacked and defended. Their feints were so realistic that Ron struggled to track them, mostly noticing them when a subtle movement transformed the attack into another. Ron finally understood how much they were holding back when they sparred agaisnt him. It wasn't necessarily a lot but the gap was there. That Ron could observe this in itself was already a testament to his growth.

After the sparring, Ron meditated a while and later headed inside. After taking a shower he went to the livingroom where Shego and Yori were gathered. As they were already chatting, Ron joined their conversation and told them that he might not be able to cook tomorrow. Explaining that after studying he was going on a date with Tara but if they wanted he could make dinner ahead of time, so they just needed to reheat it.

As Ron was still basking in his excitement he missed the subtle changes to both Shego's and Yori's expressions.

"I still need to do some shopping, if you're interested Yori?" Asked Shego. Just as Yori was about to reply, Shego phone started ringing. "Excuse me."

A few minutes on the phone and Shego's mood seemed to be affected as she sat down again. "The repairs on my house just finished."

There was a moment of silence as everyone processed what had been said. Ron felt a twinge of sadness at her words. This was the liveliest his house had been in a long time and he hated to see her go but decided not to give voice to that argument.

"So, for now, what are tomorrow's plans? You mentioned shopping." Ron reminded.

"Ah, yes." Said Shego before looking as Yori again.

"I'll be glad to." Yori answered.

"I recommend inviting Monique." Said Ron before adding. "She works at Club Banana and is a great help when shopping, though you might take longer."

Sharing a laugh they decided on what to do. Ron was to make something for them to reheat. After talking with her, Shego and Yori were picking up Monique at ten.

~~~~~

For once, Shego was not happy to hear good news. It was great that her home was fixed but knowing that she no longer had an excuse to stay ruined her mood. Still, she could probably manage the rest of the weekend. Add the fact Ron had a date and Shego found herself laying awake at night with no signs of sleep anytime soon.

Sometime past midnight, Shego decided she had enough and maybe a night run would help get her to sleep. In less than a minute she had changed from Ron's jersey into some black shorts, top and shoes. Making her way downstairs without making noise was easy and just as she arrived at the sliding door to the backyard she spotted Yori in the backyard stretching.

'Looks like I'm not the only one having trouble sleeping.' Thought Shego, silently stepping outside. "A lot on your mind?" She asked, seeing as Yori had turned to her.

Yori silently nodded and Shego joined her stretching. It was two laps around the block when Yori finally broke the silence. "Can I ask you a question, Shego-san?"

Shego nodded and continued jogging, waiting for Yori to speak. "What do you think of Ron?"

Shego had not expected that was the question and lost a step in her rhythm. Slightly guarded Shego asked instead of answering. "Why do you ask?"

"I noticed you weren't pleased to hear about his date with Tara-san and I wondered what you 'thought' of Ron-san." Yori quietly explained.

Shego understood precisely what Yori was asking. 'Did she think of Ron as more than an acquaintance or friend? Was she sexually or romantically interested in Ron? A question, that in all honesty, she wasn't sure she had answer for at the moment. Normally if Shego wanted anything, she'd go and get it. An item? Buy it or take it. Time off? Take off. Women or men? Seduce them. But with Ron, Shego just couldn't figure out what she wanted and it was so out of the norm she had yet to figure it out.' Sighing Shego admitted. "I don't know."

Yori processed that in silence for a while before Shego asked. "What do you think of Ron?"

Yori's answer was instantaneous. "He's my first love."

Again, Shego missed a step, but before she could ask anything, Yori spoke. "Before Ron-san, there were a couple guys I crushed on and got closer to but we never got past friends. It turned out to be just that, a small crush. With Ron-san it has been different. At first he was just funny. Then I saw his honesty, hard work, courage and potential but what really draws me in, is him, his 'ronshine'. His kind to a fault, treats everyone equally and has a smile that just brightens the day. All the little things that make him Ron, are like a magnet for me, I'm almost certain that I'm in love."

Shego didn't doubt Yori words, their honesty spoke for itself and she was right. 'Ron's first impression don't have much impact, a simple fact, most people forget him if they meet him only once. With more interaction though, he just draws you in. Fear doesn't stop him. His athletic abilities are on par with her own. He has multiple talents and they keep appearing. And finally, his 'ronshine'. Shego has only spent a few day with him and found herself reluctant to leave. Ron was a man like no other.' Shego thought to herself.

"You're probably right." Shego admitted, from what Yori said it would be hard for her not to love the guy. "But why did you ask me my 'thoughts' of him? Would I not be another rival?"

"It's because I don't know what to do." Yori admitted before explaining. "I want to do my best to make him fall in love with me but I don't know how. I want to wear clothes that would make him look only at me but that in doing so I might be making a mistake. If he only looks at me when I wear those clothes or rejects the real me or worse..."

Yori stopped both jogging and speaking so Shego stopped and turned around to face her. She saw tears streaming down her cheeks and slowly got closer, debating whether hugging the young woman was something to do and went for it, bringing Yori into her arms. Softly Shego spoke. "One thing I can tell you is that using your charms to attract him isn't necessarily bad. It's bad when that's the only way you have his attention. Let me ask you, is Ron aware of your feelings?" Shego's curiosity got the best of her and she asked.

Yori nodded and answered. "He asked me for some time."

Shego expected the answer but still had a complicated feeling spread through her. "Then aren't you just let him get to know you? It's not like you're using sex to keep him at your side and I'm sure he wouldn't allow or force you to do that."

'I'm sure he wouldn't choose someone just for the physical aspect of a relationship.' Thought Shego but couldn't actually voice the words. "So what if you show a little skin for him. As long as he doesn't take advantage of you why not give him something to see and look forward to?"

When Shego finished speaking she felt Yori begin to relax. She knew it must have taken Yori a lot to voice her concerns and felt touched that she trusted her enough to talk to her about it. Having her mood improved, Shego decided to have a little fun.