The Heist Part 2

"Our table should be over here," said Drakken as they walked through a maze of seating, but it was an essential spot to his plan.

"Oh, nice thinking. Perfect for keeping an eye on Little Miss Heiress and that necklace," said Shego as they found their name cards. She rolled her eyes again. Who uses their real name undercover?

"Exactly, She-...la." He raised a brow and she shrugged. "We'll be able to keep an eye on Ms. Leon and that necklace and her guards will be none the wiser.

"Mmmhmm," said Shego. She listened to Drakken repeat the plan for what felt like the millionth time, and like always he hadn't figured out the final part. That was her job.

She listened to him mutter under his breath as he pulled out her chair for her and she sat down. She began wondering what possible way this was going to go wrong. It always seemed to happen no matter how well the plan, or how informed they were, so she was planning on making the most of the evening before it came to a screeching halt. A waiter came over with several wine choices and so the evening was about to truly begin.

"Choices Sir and Madam," said the waiter. Shego didn't get a chance as Drakken answered.

"Pinot noir and zinfandel," said Drakken, and Shego raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing," said Shego as she took her glass of pinot noir and took a sip. "Oh yes, this is a good one. I'm already impressed."

"Only the best for you...Dumpling," smirked Drakken as the waiter smiled and left. Shego rolled her eyes before Drakken continued. "Okay, so we need to make sure we have our story straight. As these are shared tables we can't be unsociable all night."

"Why not?" asked Shego. "Why can't we be the couple who makes snide comments in the shadows... That's my aesthetic."

"It's mine too, but for tonight we need to be a likable, under the radar, simple couple," said Drakken. He grimaced. "But check out her hair over at table fifteen."

"Is that a fucking pigeon," choked Shego as she saw a woman with a large pigeon-like ornament in her hair. She snorted. "Please let's sit in the shadows and judge."

"Another time," said Drakken. He took a drink of his wine and grimaced. "Sheila..."

"Tastes differently when it's not poured in frozen yogurt, doesn't it?" smiled Shego. She looked at him and shook her head.

She couldn't help but smile at his reaction. He didn't like wine much; why he even took a glass was beyond her. Especially not a sweeter wine at least. He slid the glass over to her without looking at her. She raised a brow. Come to think of it, he hadn't even made eye contact with her since he got out of the bathroom. She knew it was unsettling for both of them looking so...so...boring. But she at least looked at him. She wanted to kick him out of the chair. First he insulted her by saying she doesn't distract him anymore, and now he was avoiding looking at her like she was some sort of troll. Figured, her first time actually having a 'date' to a fancy ball, and he couldn't even look at her. She began staring at him, waiting for him to glance. He had to eventually look her way. It was still so off seeing Drakken so...not Drakken? She noticed something else. His edges weren't blended fully from the makeup. She rolled her eyes and used her napkin to do so.

"What are you doing?" asked Drakken with a raised brow. His hand grabbed hers.

"Your edges aren't blended, you can see some blue," said Shego. She swatted his hand off and fixed it. "I told you to watch your jawline."

"Well I'm sorry," said Drakken with annoyance. "Someone hoarded the brushes."

"Yeah, well, do you think this," she gestured to her neck and chest with an eye-roll, "was easy without them?"

Shego tossed the napkin down and looked over at the appetizer table, wondering what they may have. It dawned on her—what had Drakken said was their dinner option that night? She looked towards him as she was about to ask and froze. He was looking at her, or rather looking at where she'd last indicated. Her mind told her to punch him in the face, but the majority of her thoughts were focused on the fact that she'd caught him checking her out. Her small ego dip from his comment earlier vanished and she smirked. She was going to give him hell for this.

"Like what you see there, Doc?" asked Shego. Drakken's eyes shot open and he looked up towards the chandelier, reaching for his drink. "I thought you said I didn't distract you?"

"I was merely admiring your blending," said Drakken. She knew his face would be darker if not for the makeup obscuring his normal coloring.

"Oh, you were admiring, all right," said Shego. She smirked and scooted closer. "So, what're the dinner options, Drew?"

"It's chicken Kiev, or... Why?" asked Drakken with a groan as she leaned against him. He didn't look at her. "You know what, you were the one who pointed it out."

"Am I bothering you?" asked Shego. She pulled his arm against her. Anyone looking would just see an attentive partner getting attention, but she knew Drakken was getting annoyed now, so she let go and fell back in her seat. "Fine, I'll stop... You still ogled me."

"I did not... Never-mind. We need to focus," said Drakken. He got up and Shego raised a brow as he walked around the table. "We need to know who's sitting where, what connections they have, where... You've got to be kidding me."

"What?" asked Shego as Drakken held up the name cards. She choked on her wine. "No way."

"How in the world, of the hundreds of people here, did we get seated with Possible and Stoppable?" asked Drakken. His eyes darted around the room as Shego got up and looked around as well. "We need to move tables. Even in disguise, it's too close for comfort."

"Yeah, and you can't shut up. Stoppable will know it's you on your first sentence," said Shego, grabbing her purse and looking for another table with a similar view. "Honestly, it's a little weird he knows your voice."

"I know right? Why is he so obsessed with me?" said Drakken with an eye-roll.

"I don't know, maybe it's your little thing...about not remembering his name," said Shego with a scoff. "By the way, how long is that going for?"

"Until I give up on world domination," said Drakken as they walked towards where Shego indicated.

"So this is a lifelong grudge then?" said Shego. "Good to know."

"The Pullmans can enjoy Possible's company for the evening," sighed Drakken in relief. That could have been catastrophic and an early end to their evening.

His mind was focused on his plan now. He was on the fence over whether they should act quick, or prolong it like he originally intended. A lot of his plans sometimes were quick action, but this was not only essential to his longer plan, but it was practice. If that plan was to work and no one was to figure it out, he needed to keep a cool head for once and stay focused. Though the idea of the laser cannon was a nice trade, he shook his head; a future distraction plan for Shego. She really wanted to anyway. Shego made a clicking noise. Clearly she'd been talking to him and he'd zoned out. He looked upwards and then directly at her eyes. The beige color of her skin was still unsettling. It was making it harder to remember that this was Shego, and his normal aversion tactics were dwindling.

"I said, did you look to see who's at this table?" asked Shego, holding up a card. "A Dr. Sweets and a Lady Gold? Anyone we should avoid?"

"She-...la... Sheila, normally you're the one with the intel," said Drakken. It made him nervous that she was asking him.

"This is your plan and you were adamant you were handling it," said Shego, taking a drink of wine. Her nose squinted. "Uhg, this is a terrible year."

"Oh yes, right," said Drakken. He had to remember to do that if he was going to avoid Shego knowing his plan; more research on people. "Doesn't ring any bells."

"Why hello there," came the posh and sultry voice of a woman in gold as she sauntered over. Drakken and Shego looked at each other. "Huh, you two look familiar."

"Ohm, perhaps we've met," said Shego as Cleopatra sat down beside her. They knew they weren't the only villains there, but what were the odds.

"Dr. Lipsky," said Drakken. Shego smirked as he stood and offered his hand. This was a perfect way to test their disguises.

"Lady Gold, call me Cleo," she smiled with a nod as he took her hand. "Lucky me, at a table with multiple doctors. Good time for an ailment."

"This wine will cause that," said Shego, looking at the glass. Cleopatra raised a brow. "Sour."

"Thanks for the warning." She snapped her fingers and the waiter came over. "The wine is bitter. Fix it."

"Yes ma'am," said the waiter as he took the glasses away.

"So, you are..." asked Cleopatra as she turned her attention to Shego. She raised a brow. "I'm sorry, I feel like I know you from somewhere."

"Ever been to Egypt?" asked Shego. Drakken saw her smirk. The tales were about to begin.

"Of course, I'd live there if I could," said Cleopatra, which was a play on her statement as they both knew she did.

"Perhaps Faiyum?" asked Shego. Cleopatra's eyes shot wide.

"Many times. That makes sense, I must have seen you there," said Cleopatra. She shook her head. "Small world."

"Seems to be," said Shego. She shot Drakken a look, but he was preoccupied with their next table guest.

"Ah, Carmella, did you lose your date on the way over," said Cleopatra. "This is Dr. Lipsky and..."

"Sheila," said Shego as wine came.

"Pleasure," said Drakken. Of course those were their table guests. Carmella was wearing an obnoxious pink and white dress.

"Oh, lovely, another doctor. Tell me, what do you do?" she asked. But before he could answer, their attention all drifted towards a woman in a slinky leopard gown walking by, the shine of her necklace hitting the table.

"Can you believe they let her wear that necklace?" muttered Cleopatra to Carmella. "I hear her daddy isn't too pleased with how much she spent on Dior."

"Your friends are gossips," said Carmella. Her pink gloved hand patted Cleopatra's shoulder, and Drakken saw the squeeze."Let's not ignore our company."

"Oh, is that what all the buzz is about, that necklace?" asked Shego. She glanced towards it. "Bit gaudy don't you think?"

"It's worth millions," said Cleopatra, the sound of want in her voice. "Not only that, it's the only black diamond of its size and cut. Some believe good luck falls to all who wear it."

"Ahem," coughed Carmella, and Cleopatra jolted. She'd kicked her under the table. The pink-clad woman looked over Drakken's shoulder. "Ah there you are."

"I went to get some of those puffs you wanted, Sweety," came a man's voice as he stepped around the table.

Shego and Drakken looked up to see Hector, their night henchman...henchmaid. He was dressed in a sickeningly lilac-colored tuxedo, obviously to match Carmella's odd attire. Shego and Drakken glanced at each other and then smiled at Hector. His cheerful expression slowly faded as he looked between the two. Drakken saw his shoulders slump and he took a deep gulp. Looking between them and Carmella, his smile flitted back up and he sat down, sliding some sort of sweet puff to her.

"We have table guests," said Hector. "Nice to meet you."

"This is my lovely escort Hector Ortez, he's such a darling," said Carmella as she ate a sweet puff. "Mmm, just like candy."

"Only the sweetest for you," said Hector. He was avoiding looking at Shego and Drakken.

"So, what do you do...Hector," said Shego. Drakken smirked at her as she drank their new glasses of wine.

"I, ohm. I'm in between jobs at the moment," said Hector. Clearly he knew exactly who sat across from him.

"Sorry to hear that." Drakken smirked and looked at Shego as an idea hit him. "I'm certain things will turn around for you. It's all about choices, you know."

"Interesting," said Shego. She glanced over towards a fountain. "You know dear, I really wish we'd gotten a seat closer to the fountain. It's so beautiful."

"You know, that table hasn't showed up yet. You could...switch the tags?" said Hector casually. Cleopatra and Carmella raised a brow, but Carmella nodded.

"I would be sorry to see you go, but if there's an option," said Carmella, clearly worried about the fact Cleopatra had started to say too much from earlier.

"You know, let's break some rules for once," grinned Shego, giving Drakken a playful look. Her acting was on point, and he fought a smirk.

"Oh, anything for you, Dumpling." He saw her brow flicker down, but she shook her head and smirked.

"What was that with Hector? Are you really thinking about re-hiring him? Granted, you only fired him because you were mad he and Carmella hooked up," said Shego as they sat at their new seat.

"We'll see... I told you Shego, I wanted a work environment that held onto its workers. So, let's see what choices he makes tonight," smirked Drakken.

"If he betrays her for a chance to work with us again, you know we'll have to give him a promotion," smirked Shego. She almost backtracked at the word 'we' she'd said, but Drakken ignored it.

"Head henchmaid?" asked Drakken. Shego snorted. "Too much."

"Can I put it on his name badge?" asked Shego. He shrugged. "We'll finally make use of your laser engraver."

"I've used it," said Drakken. Shego saw his eyes narrow and she rolled her eyes.

"I don't think using it to write 'Dementor sucks' and then your name on Dementor's lair in a twelve-inch section is good use," said Shego as she drank her wine.

"It was on his entrance door. The battery ran out. I only got the D on," said Drakken sadly. Shego choked and nearly spit out her drink, and Drakken lifted a brow. "You okay? Too much wine?"

"You wrote... 'Dementor Sucks D.' On Dementor's lair." She regretted not going on that caper. "Okay, I take it back, good use. Very middle school, but nice."

"I don't...oh." Drakken grinned, and laughed. "I hadn't even thought about that."

"Well, this sounds like a lively table," came the clumsy voice of a very tall figure. "Summer, we're in luck."

"Nope," said Shego as The Giraffe and Summer Gale came to the table.

"This is our fifth table and dinner's going to start," said Shego with a scoff. "How many people do we know are here? Hey? You? Dra— Drew?"

"Hmm," said Drakken. He rolled his eyes. "I can't believe Monkey Fist and Amy are here together."

"He needed a date." She rolled her own eyes. "Are you still hung up on her?"

"No, just...really, how desperate," said Drakken as they were about to sit down.

"I know, it makes me..." Shego felt angry at the degradation of DNAmy. Honestly it gave villainesses a bad name.

"Ah, our table acquaintances have arrived," came the accented voice of Dementor as he and two others came with him.

"Nope," said Drakken, turning on his heel before Shego could even finish realizing who it was.

"Wrong table," said Shego, putting the name cards back and following Drakken.

"Well that's great. Dinner is about to start and we need to be seated before then," said Drakken. "We're just going to have to settle. We should have stuck with Giraffe and Summer Gale. They were the least problematic."

"I can't believe you blew off Killigan," said Shego. "I thought that was going to be our table."

"Killigan is too boisterous, he'd cause too much attention," said Drakken, looking around at the remaining empty tables.

"You two wouldn't shut up is what you're saying?" asked Shego. Drakken sighed.

"Yeah," said Drakken. He muttered under his breath. "That's it. This is the table. No matter who sits here. We're just going to have to suck it up."

"That's fine, I can handle myself," said Shego. Drakken pulled out her chair again and she smirked. "You know I can get used to this."

"Running from place to place on some sort of musical villain table game?" asked Drakken as he sat next to her.

"No... Never-mind," said Shego, just glad they'd settled on a spot.

It was a little bit farther than they would have liked, but it was for the best. Too many other villains were close to that first table, which meant it wouldn't take long for Possible to start picking them off one by one. She was certain that they were hired as extra guards as this wasn't a teen social atmosphere. She scoffed internally, remembering too many in her teens she'd attended. Not that she'd complained at the time... It was one of the few things she'd enjoyed about being a hero. She watched the dancing and smirked, glancing at Drakken. She opened her mouth to inquire what plans were going to be after dinner and obtaining the necklace, but he choked on his drink again and she rolled her eyes.

"Don't drink it then. Get some water," she scoffed. "You're wasting good wine."

"How can you drink this?" scoffed Drakken. "It tastes like fermented fruit."

"It is..." said Shego. Drakken gave her a bored look and she smirked. "Just drink the water."

"I'm sorry we can't all have the extensive palette of a youth filled with fancy balls and expensive liquor," said Drakken. He took the water glass.

"I'll have you know, my first drink wasn't until my twenty-first birthday at a college party I had to leave to go save the mayor," said Shego. Drakken choked on his water.

"You...you didn't have a drink until your twenty-first birthday?" asked Drakken. Shego blushed at his shocked look. "Seriously? You? I mean even I had a few well before then."

"I had a reputation to maintain. Had to keep my nose clean, you know... Well weren't you the bad boy," smirked Shego. He rolled his eyes but she saw his smirk. "What other devious things did you do? A motorcycle street race. Any parties? Your mother said you were a social butterfly."

"A few parties, yes," said Drakken, and she knew he had to be blushing. She leaned on his shoulder.

"Hmm, parties... Alcohol, street races... Here I thought you were just some nerdy Poindexter with good grades and a bad haircut," said Shego. Drakken shocked her when his brow rose and he gave her a dark, amused look.

"Is that what you thought? Funny, I thought you were the rebellious bad girl for a long time. Strange right?" asked Drakken. Shego smoothed out his jawline again with her napkin.

"Tell me. This secret bad boy image you hid... Get you anywhere with the ladies?" asked Shego. She expected him to roll his eyes and go back to his water, but he didn't.

"What do you think?" he asked coyly, and it took her a solid minute to remember this was Drakken she was so close to. It bothered her more how much it wasn't bothering her.

"I think..." The comment she was about to make fell silent as their table guests joined them.

"What are the odds, Ruby?" They both shot their looks to the two standing in front of them. "Six ditched tables and look who we end up with. Hello Drew."

"Hermes?" asked Shego as she yanked herself away from Drakken and looked at the woman beside him. "Pandora."

"Isn't this...lovely," said Drakken as he downed Shego's drink.

Oh man, wonder what the backstory is here... →