Chapter 7
Fire Amidst the Frost
As the days passed, Kim's wounds remained unchanged, showing no signs of accelerated healing from Shego's blood transfusion. But while her physical condition stayed the same, her mood had lightened. She wasn't dwelling on her injuries as much, and her frustration had faded into a quieter acceptance.
She was happy that she didn't have to wear the bandages at least, though seeing her own face in the mirror still took some getting used to. She'd sit and watch her eye move as she looked around, and examine the way the iris had clouded over more and more.
She'd started to accept that her vision would likely never be restored, and turned her focus on recovering. Shego would sit with her all day as she practiced tasks that were once second nature, and when she was done for the day, they'd just sit and talk.
In those quiet moments, she found herself gravitating toward Shego. They hadn't spoken directly about what was happening between them, but the unspoken connection grew stronger with each shared glance, each small gesture of care. Shego was always around, keeping Kim company, making her laugh when the days felt long, and grounding her when the weight of everything threatened to pull her down.
One evening, as they sat together in Erin's small living room, Kim stretched out on the couch, feeling the warmth of Shego's shoulder against her own. She shifted a little closer, resting her head against Shego, who didn't pull away.
Shego broke the comfortable silence, her voice low. "You know, for someone who's supposed to be on bed rest, you're getting pretty cozy out here."
Kim rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "I need a break from that bed. Besides, it's not like you haven't made yourself at home here too."
Shego snorted. "Yeah, well, someone's gotta make sure you don't start swinging punches at the wall out of boredom." She nudged Kim's arm lightly, her smirk softening.
"Maybe I just like having you around," Kim admitted quietly, her gaze drifting toward the window as her face warmed.
Shego's expression softened, but her response was playful. "Oh, now you tell me? After all those years of trying to kick my butt?"
Kim laughed, glancing at her. "Guess I didn't know you were so… tolerable back then."
"High praise," Shego said dryly, though her gaze lingered on Kim, her usual teasing hiding something deeper.
They sat like that for a long while, the silence filled with a newfound comfort. Eventually, Shego's arm slipped around Kim's shoulders, and they settled back, simply enjoying each other's presence.
The evening stretched on, the flickering light from a nearby lamp casting a soft glow across the room. Kim leaned into Shego's side, the weight of the past few weeks starting to feel less heavy as she allowed herself to relax, just for a moment. Shego, ever so protective but reluctant to admit it, kept her arm around Kim, her thumb absently tracing circles on Kim's shoulder.
After a long silence, Kim spoke up again, her voice barely above a whisper. "You know, I never thought I'd be here... with you, like this." Her words hung in the air, unspoken thoughts slowly making their way out.
Shego shifted slightly, her posture tensing just enough to acknowledge the serious tone without making a big deal of it. "Yeah? I guess we've all got our surprises, don't we?" Her voice was light, but there was an edge of honesty to it. "Life's a funny thing."
Kim took a deep breath, looking down at the ground. "I never thought you'd care. I mean, not like this." Her voice was almost lost in the quiet.
Shego's gaze softened, and she carefully turned Kim's face toward her with a gentle hand on her chin. "You're not the only one who's surprised." She let out a quiet sigh. "I didn't expect... any of this either. But here we are."
The weight of Shego's words made Kim's heart flutter in a way she hadn't expected. She'd always seen Shego as her rival, the one who was just a little too distant, a little too cold. But now, in this moment, Kim saw her for more than that—someone who had stayed by her side, who had risked a lot more than she probably let on.
Kim blinked up at Shego, searching her face for any sign of the usual guardedness. But there was nothing, just the faintest vulnerability in the curve of her lips, in the way her green eyes softened when they met Kim's.
"Maybe... maybe it's not so bad," Kim said quietly, almost as if she was convincing herself. "Maybe this is just... what we needed."
Shego raised an eyebrow, a smirk flickering at the corner of her mouth. "What, you and me? Getting all cozy and sentimental? You've really lost your edge, Possible."
Kim chuckled, her eyes twinkling despite the tiredness in them. "I guess I'm just seeing things differently now."
The smile Shego gave her in return was softer than Kim had ever seen, and there was something in it—something Kim wasn't sure how to name yet. But whatever it was, it felt like a promise of something more, something worth exploring.
"So, does this mean I'm officially off the hook for the whole 'being your enemy' thing?" Shego asked, her signature smirk firmly in place, though her voice carried a warmth that softened her usual sarcasm.
Kim rolled her eyes, but her smile lingered, matching Shego's relaxed expression. "For now, I guess. But don't think for a second that I won't be ready if you decide to slip back into your old ways."
Shego scoffed, playfully nudging her. "Please. I wouldn't dream of it. Besides, I've got...bigger things to focus on these days. And if I did, well, Betty would probably send a whole task force after me."
Kim's eyes went wide. "Betty Director? Are you serious?"
Shego shrugged like it was no big deal. "I thought I'd mentioned it. I'm set to start with Global Justice soon."
Kim gaped. "You? With GJ? When did this happen?"
Shego smirked. "Right after our last little showdown. Remember Italy?"
"Oh yeah! The tomato sauce incident!" Kim laughed, remembering the sight of Shego hauling herself out of a giant vat, red sauce dripping from her hair.
"Yeah, thanks for that," Shego groaned, reaching over to lightly squeeze Kim's face in faux annoyance. "I reeked like a pizzeria for days."
Kim giggled, gently pushing Shego's hand away. "So, what happened after that?"
"Well," Shego said, leaning back with a sigh, "I went to my mom's vacation place to clean up. Unfortunately, she was there. Caught me in the guest room right after getting cleaned up and promptly kicked me out."
"She wasn't exactly thrilled to see you, was she?"
Shego gave a dry laugh. "That's putting it mildly. She tolerated the merc work back when I was freelancing, but once I started working exclusively for Drakken, she cut me off. Told me not to come back until I 'got my head on straight.'" She scoffed, but her eyes softened, as if the memory had always stung a little.
Kim's hand shifted slightly closer to Shego's. "Sounds like she really cared about you, even if she didn't agree with your choices."
Shego glanced down, a faint hint of color touching her cheeks. "Yeah, well, it's not like she was wrong. Maybe that's why I'm trying to sort myself out." She shrugged, forcing a smirk back onto her face, a mask she wore far too often.
Kim's expression softened, and she slipped her fingers gently over Shego's, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Seems like you're already doing a pretty good job of it. Just...keep going."
For a moment, the weight of everything—her mother's words, the years of fighting Kim, the shift in her own life—felt lighter, anchored by the warmth of Kim's hand in hers. "Guess I will," Shego murmured, letting her thumb trace gently along the edge of Kim's knuckles, the soft gesture grounding her in a way she hadn't realized she needed. It was a strange, quiet feeling of peace, one she hadn't known she wanted but was reluctant to let go of.
Kim leaned in, her eyes searching Shego's for any sign of hesitation, but Shego offered none. Her smirk faded, replaced by a look of gentle curiosity, an invitation. She didn't pull away. She waited, letting Kim take the lead.
Kim's lips brushed against hers, tentative at first, a soft, careful kiss that seemed to ask for permission. It was new ground for both of them, and Kim's hesitation was palpable. Shego's heart gave a strange, unexpected flutter. Slowly, Shego leaned in, allowing Kim to explore, but then she gently guided the kiss deeper, her hand coming up to rest on Kim's cheek. It was warm, unhurried, and tender in a way neither had expected. The years of tension and rivalry had melted into something far softer and more real.
When they pulled back, it was slowly, their breaths mingling, and for a moment neither was ready to break the silence. Shego's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and the space between them seemed to hold something unsaid, but precious. Kim blushed bright red, her hand gripping the arm of the couch as she stared into Shego's eyes.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Erin strode in, bundled up from her trip to town. A flurry of snowflakes clung to her scarf and hat, which she quickly peeled off as she looked up and stopped short. Her eyes landed on Shego and Kim, and she raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a small smirk. "Well, looks like I missed something," she said with teasing amusement. "Sorry to break up the moment, but we've got a big snowstorm coming in."
Her voice was light, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes as she glanced between them. Shego couldn't help but chuckle under her breath, shaking her head as she pulled her hand away from Kim's, though the warmth between them lingered.
As Shego and Erin carried in the boxes, the chill in the air seemed to cut deeper with every step they took. Shego noticed a faint, almost melancholic smile tugging at Erin's lips, and despite the rush of snowflakes that swirled around them, it didn't go unnoticed.
"Hey," Shego said, breaking the silence as they made their way back to the house with the next load of supplies. "What's that look for? You look like you've got some kind of secret you're not telling me."
Erin paused, glancing at Shego as if she was considering how to respond. She sighed, then set her box down carefully. "It's nothing," she said, but the sadness in her eyes said otherwise.
"Come on, you can't just throw a look like that at me and expect me not to ask," Shego pressed, raising an eyebrow as she adjusted the box under her arm.
Erin hesitated, her eyes dropping to the snow for a moment before meeting Shego's gaze again. "I was just thinking about... us. About when we were together," she said softly.
Shego froze, the words catching her off guard. She shifted the box she was carrying to her other side, suddenly uncomfortable. "Erin..." she started, but Erin raised a hand to stop her.
"It's not like that, Sara," Erin quickly clarified, her tone light, though there was still a hint of something deeper beneath it. "I'm not upset. I just... you know, when I see you and Kim, it makes me remember the good times we had, and it makes me think about how things turned out. I'm happy for you two, I am. But I won't lie, it's a bit... nostalgic."
Shego didn't know what to say. She'd never been good at dealing with things like this, especially when it came to Erin. The two of them had shared a lot, but Shego had always kept her emotions tightly guarded, even from the people she was closest to. Hearing Erin speak so openly about it was unexpected.
"Yeah, I get it," Shego replied after a long pause, her voice steady but quieter than usual. She looked away, focusing on the storm now, feeling the weight of the words between them. "We had some good times... and I don't regret any of it. But I'm not looking back anymore, Er. I've got things to focus on now. Kim... Kim and I, we're figuring things out."
Erin nodded slowly, as if absorbing that. There was no jealousy in her eyes, only understanding. "I know. And I don't want to be that neurotic ex, you know? I'm not gonna make this harder than it needs to be." She shrugged, a small, genuine smile crossing her face. "I just miss the old days sometimes. That's all."
Shego felt a strange lump form in her throat. "I know. You were always a pain, but you weren't all bad," she said with a wry grin, trying to lighten the moment. "Just don't get any ideas about trying to steal me back, okay?"
Erin laughed, but there was a touch of sadness in it. "You wouldn't catch me trying. Kim might smother me in my sleep."
"I'd really hate to have to figure out how to get rid of a body." Shego chuckled, shaking her head. "Seriously though. Thanks, Er," Shego said, her voice softer. "I appreciate it. And I'm glad we're good. Really."
They share a hug before bringing in the last of the supplies. Shego glanced at Erin once more, surprised at how at ease she felt despite the heavy conversation they'd just had. There was no tension between them, no lingering resentment. There was just understanding, and that was something Shego hadn't realized she needed until now.
Back inside, they unloaded the boxes and began to prepare for the storm that was rolling in. The house was stocked up, and the power was still working, but the snow was getting heavier by the minute. Kim was in the living room, waiting for them, looking relaxed but curious about how long they'd been gone.
"Alright, everything's inside," Shego announced, setting the last box down on the counter. She wiped some snow off her jacket and glanced at Kim. "Looks like we're gonna be stuck here for the night. Snow's coming down pretty hard."
Kim smiled at her, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "So, no way to escape now, huh?"
"Guess not," Shego said with a smirk. "But that's fine by me. I could use a break from... everything."
Erin cleared her throat from the doorway, her voice light but serious. "Well, I'm glad you're both getting comfortable. But I should warn you, the storm's supposed to get worse. We might lose power later, so I made sure we've got enough supplies to last a couple of days."
Shego nodded, her tone appreciative. "Good thinking, Erin. You really thought ahead, huh?"
"Someone has to," Erin said with a small, fond smile. "Anyway, let's just hope the power stays on for a while. I'm not about to start cooking by candlelight unless I have to. Unless you want to try using your plasma to cook."
"Not after I burned one of your pots," Shego replied with a smirk as she slid back next to Kim.
Erin, sniffing the air, eyed the couch and noticed a faint burn mark on the fabric. Her eyebrows shot up. "So instead of burning another pot, you burn my couch?!" She grabbed a pillow and smacked Shego with it, causing Shego to blink in confusion.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I do not remember doing that!"
"Yeah, cause you were distracted. Too busy making out with your girlfriend!" Erin shot back with a teasing grin.
Shego froze for a moment before grabbing the pillow back from Erin, inspecting the couch as if it might reveal some hidden damage. She sighed, finally resigning herself to the fact that she might've gotten a little more carried away than she'd realized during the kiss. "Okay, yeah, I guess I must've gotten more worked up than I thought." She glanced at Erin sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry about that. I'll replace the couch."
Erin smirked, setting the pillow down as she folded her arms. "You better. I'm going to start charging you for damages."
"Yeah, yeah," Shego muttered, sitting back down next to Kim with a soft sigh. "I get it. No more property damage. For now."
Kim laughed softly and nudged Shego with her elbow. "Maybe you should keep your hands to yourself, Shego."
Shego raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Not a chance."
As the evening wore on, the storm outside intensified, the snow swirling and blanketing the world in a heavy white silence. Inside, the smell of something hearty and warm filled the house. Shego and Erin were busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner together. Erin was chopping vegetables with precision, while Shego casually stirred a pot.
Kim, on the other hand, had retreated to the sunroom. She sat on the plush cushions, wrapped in a thick blanket, her eyes fixed on the snow falling gently outside. The view was serene, almost hypnotic. She had grown accustomed to the warmth of the house, but it had become almost too much for her. Her body felt oddly overheated, like an internal warmth she couldn't quite explain, and it was starting to make her restless.
With a quick glance toward the kitchen, she slowly stood up, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders. The sunroom's side door led out to the porch, and from there, she figured she could step outside for a moment to get a blast of cold air, to reset her temperature and clear her mind. It was a simple enough plan, and she figured she could sneak out without anyone noticing.
She tiptoed to the door, her hand on the handle. As quietly as possible, she pulled it open, feeling the chill of the night air hit her face. She took a step outside, relieved at the cold that greeted her—until she felt a firm hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"Kim," Shego's voice was soft but firm, tinged with concern. "What do you think you're doing?"
Kim froze, the cold air still biting at her skin, and slowly turned to face Shego, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I... I was just trying to cool off. I felt really warm and... I don't know, I needed a break." She rubbed her arms, the warmth from the house still lingering.
Shego sighed, looking down at Kim, her expression soft but tinged with worry. "You should've told me you were feeling like that. You can't just go sneaking out in the cold, you're still recovering."
"I'm fine," Kim protested weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just need to feel the air for a bit. Please?" Kim used the one weapon she had against Shego, her puppy dog pout. Shego scowled but let go of her shoulder.
"Fine, make it quick." The words were barely out of her mouth before Kim had stepped outside.
She felt the cool air rush over her, a welcome contrast to the warmth that had been clouding her senses and Shego stood by, keeping a careful watch as Kim stepped further into the cold night, allowing her to feel the full effect of the winter storm.
"Take it easy," Shego warned, her voice softer than usual, but still holding a note of caution. She wasn't sure why, but seeing Kim so flushed with warmth had unsettled her. She was worried she might be getting sick.
Kim sighed in relief as the chill sank into her skin, the coolness running through her like a rush of fresh air. "This is exactly what I needed," she murmured, her eyes closed as she breathed in the frosty air. Her body relaxed almost immediately as the heat that had been making her dizzy began to dissipate.
"Better?" Shego asked, watching her carefully as Kim held some snow in her hands.
Kim smiled, her cheeks still pink but her expression calmer. "Yeah. This is perfect." She took one last deep breath of the crisp air before she nodded toward Shego. "Alright, I'm ready to go back in."
Shego nodded and gently guided Kim back toward the door, her hand resting lightly on Kim's back to support her. As they stepped inside, the warmth of the house enveloped them again. Kim immediately felt her body relax, but now, with the heat more under control, she felt much more clear-headed.
Erin, who had been busy in the kitchen, turned when she heard the door open. Her eyes immediately went to Kim, a sharp glance that seemed to take in every detail. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Kim nodded, sitting back down on the couch, her body more comfortable now. "Yeah, I was just overheating. The cold really helped though."
Erin walked over, her brows furrowed as she lightly pressed the back of her hand to Kim's forehead. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze narrowing in thought. "You're still warm," she observed, frowning slightly. "You've got a bit of a fever, Kim. I was wondering when that might hit. Your body's been working overtime to heal, so it's bound to catch up with you."
Kim didn't seem too worried, though she did look a little surprised. "I thought I was fine... Is it really that bad?"
"It's not severe, but you've definitely got some mild symptoms," Erin explained, sitting beside her. "Your body's been under a lot of stress with all the healing, and honestly, it's kind of expected. I thought you might get sick eventually."
Shego stepped forward, standing close to Kim with a soft look of concern on her face. "Should we be worried?"
Erin nodded, getting to her feet. "Let her rest. Keep her warm, make sure she drinks plenty of fluids, and I'll keep an eye on her temperature. If she gets worse, we'll figure out a plan, but for now, just let her ride it out."
Shego looked down at Kim, her worry softening into something a little warmer. "Alright, Princess. Looks like you've got a doctor's orders to relax for the night."
Kim chuckled lightly, then winced a little, her hand reaching to rub her forehead. "Yeah, guess I can't argue with that. I'll try to take it easy."
Once Kim was settled on the couch, wrapped in a warm blanket with a soft pillow propped under her head, Shego and Erin returned to the kitchen. The smell of simmering food filled the air, and the crackling warmth from the oven helped to combat the chill outside. Kim had fallen into a light sleep almost immediately, her body relaxing as the fever seemed to settle for the moment.
The silence was comfortable, but Shego couldn't shake her lingering concern. She glanced over at Erin, her voice low as she approached the counter.
"You sure this is just a cold?" Shego whispered, her words cautious but edged with worry. "I mean, I gave her my blood... What if I—what if that made her sick?"
Erin glanced up at Shego, her brow furrowed slightly in thought. She paused for a moment, then set down the knife, taking a breath before speaking. "Sara, listen to me. It's just a cold. It has nothing to do with your blood. Her body is working hard to heal, and with all that's been going on, it's not surprising that her immune system might be a little weaker right now. It's nothing serious. She'll be fine."
Shego's gaze lingered on Kim for a moment, her lips pressed together in uncertainty. "But what if I made it worse? What if—"
"Stop," Erin interrupted softly, her tone firm yet reassuring. "You're overthinking this. Kim is tough. She's been through worse." Erin's voice softened as she turned toward Shego, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Don't go blaming yourself. She'll be up and running around in no time."
Shego nodded slowly, her shoulders relaxing as she absorbed Erin's words. "I guess you're right. But still... It's hard to shake the worry, you know?"
"I get it," Erin replied, her smile turning more genuine. "But we're in this together. Kim has both of us looking out for her. We've got this."
Shego gave Erin a small, appreciative nod, her anxiety easing just a little. With a final glance at Kim, she turned back to the stove, stirring the soup. "Alright, fine. I'll try not to worry too much. But you'd better be right about this."
Erin chuckled, gathering everything she needed to make bread. "I'm always right." Shego just rolled her eyes with a smirk and the two of them continued cooking in silence, the quiet hum of the storm outside serving as a soft backdrop to the calm and steady rhythm of the evening.
When dinner was ready, the comforting aroma of the soup and freshly baked bread filled the house. Shego and Erin exchanged a look, and Erin gently approached the couch where Kim was resting, still bundled up in the blanket.
"Hey, Kim," Erin said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder to wake her up. "Dinner's ready. You feeling up to eating?"
Kim stirred, her eyelids fluttering open, and she blinked a few times before looking up at Erin. She smiled weakly, her face still flushed from the fever but with a noticeable difference in her energy.
"I feel... better," Kim murmured, sitting up slowly and stretching, her body feeling lighter than before. She took a deep breath and smiled again, her eyes brighter than they had been earlier. "I think the cold air really helped."
Shego stood from where she had been working in the kitchen, carrying a bowl of the steaming soup and setting it down in front of Kim. She watched her carefully, taking in the slight but noticeable improvement in Kim's condition. "Yeah, well, it's a good thing I didn't let you sneak out for too long. You would have tried sleeping out there," Shego teased gently, though her tone had softened considerably.
Kim chuckled lightly, rubbing her forehead. "Considering how I felt, that probably would have felt so good. I'm sorry for worrying you guys."
"You don't have to apologize," Erin said with a reassuring smile, sitting on the couch beside Kim. "It's just a cold. You're allowed to get sick. But the good news is, you look a lot better than you did a few hours ago."
Kim nodded gratefully, but it was Shego who spoke next, her voice a little quieter than before. "You've still got some color back in your cheeks. Glad to see you're not burning up anymore."
Kim met Shego's eyes and smiled a little wider. "Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better. I think the fever's gone."
As Kim gingerly took a spoonful of soup, she glanced back at Erin. "Still, it feels weird to be getting so much attention for something so small. I don't normally get sick, so this is a little embarrassing."
Erin gave a small, knowing laugh. "You don't have to feel embarrassed. I'm just glad you're on the mend."
Kim nodded, stirring her soup thoughtfully. She looked over at Shego, catching her eye with a smile that was both appreciative and shy, and despite the teasing nature of their relationship, Shego found herself silently moved by the sincerity in Kim's gaze.
"Just let me know the next time you're overheating like that, I'll just dump some snow on you."
Kim laughed, the sound light and easy, and Shego couldn't help but grin. As they continued eating, the room felt warmer, despite the storm outside.
Then, without warning, a loud crackling noise filled the room, followed by a sudden, sharp pop from the electrical outlets. The room grew dimmer as the lights flickered and the power cut out, the quiet hum of electricity giving way to the eerie sound of silence.
Kim froze, her eyes snapping wide open. Her hand shot out instinctively, grabbing onto Shego's arm with a vice-like grip. Her breath hitched in her chest, heart pounding. The sound of the electrical crackling had triggered something deep within her—the memory of the chains, the shock, the pain that had coursed through her body as she was tortured. Her vision blurred as the memory surged forward, her pulse quickening in fear.
Shego, having expected Kim's sudden panic the second she heard the sound, turned to her. "Kim?" Her voice was gentle, but there was a hint of concern in it. She felt the grip on her arm tighten, the pressure growing painfully intense. She glanced down at her arm and winced as she felt a hot, burning sensation where Kim was holding her, like a searing heat spreading through her skin.
"Kim, hey, it's alright," Shego said softly, trying to calm her, her voice low and steady as she reached for Kim's hand to loosen her grip. But Kim didn't seem to hear her, her breathing shallow and erratic.
"Kim, look at me," Shego said, her voice firmer now. She gently pried Kim's fingers off her arm, her own skin tingling from the force of Kim's hold. "You're safe. You're not—"
The sound of Kim's uneven breathing cut through the words, and Shego's concern deepened. She could feel the warmth of Kim's hand still lingering. "Kim, please," Shego said, her voice softer, trying to ground her.
"Hey, hey, Kim," Erin said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're okay. It's just a power outage, alright? We're safe here."
Kim's eyes were wide, filled with fear as she looked between Shego and Erin, her chest heaving with rapid breaths. Shego could see the fear in her eyes, the deep-seated terror that had nothing to do with the storm outside, but everything to do with what happened to her.
"Just breathe, Kim. It's alright," Shego said, keeping her tone calm. She held Kim's face gently, forcing her to look at her. "You're safe here. The power just went out, okay? No more shocks. No more pain. You're with me."
Kim's body was trembling, and Shego could see the panic starting to fade from her face as she slowly began to calm down. Kim's breath began to slow, and she nodded, her eyes blinking rapidly as if trying to clear the haze of panic from her mind. "I... I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Shego's expression softened. "It's okay. You don't have to apologize," she said gently, her voice warm, almost comforting. She pulled Kim into her arms, holding her close for a moment, just letting her steady herself.
Kim nodded, taking in a deep breath as she slowly let go of Shego and pulled back slightly. She wiped her face with her sleeve, embarrassed by the tears she hadn't realized had started to fall. "I just... I don't know how to stop it. Every time I hear a sound like that... it's like I'm back there."
Erin, who had been watching quietly, gave Kim a soft, reassuring smile. "It's going to take time, but you'll get through it."
Shego didn't say anything for a moment, but her hand gently brushed Kim's hair out of her face. "You're not alone in this, Kim. I'll always be here. Okay?"
Kim looked up at her, nodding. "Okay," she said softly, leaning close to Shego as they embraced. After a few moments of quiet, the tension in the room began to ease. Erin gave Shego a knowing look. Kim was safe now, and they'd get through the rest of the night together. Erin got up to get a few candles and Shego lit them before they settled in to finish their dinner.
"Alright," Erin said softly, moving toward the kitchen when they were all done. "Let's get this cleaned up. We don't want a kitchen full of cold food in the morning."
Shego nodded and stood, helping Erin to put the food away. Finally, after everything was in place, Erin gave them both a tired but warm smile. "I'm going to bed," she said with a small yawn. "The back-up generator should kick on in an hour or so. It's coming down too hard for me to go outside, but it has an auto start on it. Just stay bundled up in blankets to keep warm until the heat comes back on."
Shego chuckled, her eyes soft. "Goodnight, Erin. And thanks."
"Don't mention it," Erin replied before heading off down the hall.
Kim and Shego lingered in the living room for a moment longer. Kim stood and stretched, still feeling the lingering warmth of the night's comforting presence, but fatigue was starting to catch up with her. Shego turned to her, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes, but it quickly softened into something more familiar.
"You ready for bed, princess?" Shego asked, her voice quiet.
Kim smiled, tired but content. "Yeah. I think so."
Shego blew out the candles and ignited her glow at its lowest, providing only light. She extended her hand, and Kim took it, allowing herself to be led down the hallway to their bedroom. Once inside, Shego extinguished her glow and climbed into the bed, pulling the covers back.
Kim yawned and her gaze fell to the bed, crawling into bed beside her. Shego made room, and as soon as Kim settled, Shego reached over, pulling her close, her arm wrapping around Kim's shoulders. It was a simple gesture, one they'd both grown used to over the last few weeks, but tonight it felt even more comforting.
Kim snuggled against Shego's chest, letting the warmth of her touch seep into her bones. Shego's heartbeat was steady, a soothing rhythm that calmed her mind. She sighed, the stress of the day finally melting away as she relaxed into the safety of Shego's arms.
"Thanks for being here," Kim murmured, her voice soft, barely above a whisper.
Shego's hand ran lightly through Kim's hair, her fingers brushing against her scalp in a rhythmic, soothing motion. "Always," she whispered back.
As the storm raged outside, they drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a shield. No words were needed, just the shared understanding that they were safe, together. And for now, that was enough.
Feels good to work on this one again. Prepare for more ;) - Mercy