Chapter 21:

Possible Residence:

Shego sat on the bed in the guest room, lost in thought. The last time the helm of awe had appeared she had been in danger. However, she was currently not in any danger, so she didn't quite understand why the helm of awe had decided to appear.

"The black lightning is new as well. I don't remember it being there the last time the symbol appeared on my back."

Shego thought. She then laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. As she laid there, memories of her past began to flood her mind. Memories that she wishes she didn't have. And yet, they continued to haunt her everyday.

As each memory went through her mind, Shego began to feel the tough exterior she portrays in front of others crumbling, and she was soon sobbing into her hands. It was as if all the tears she had held back over the years were pouring from her eyes. While she was crying, she was unaware that Kim had come into the room to check on her.

Upon seeing the state that Shego was in, Kim walked over and took a seat on the bed next to Shego. She then gently placed her hand onto Shego's arm, to get her attention.

Feeling someone touch her arm, Shego lowered her hands to find Kim looking at her with concern. She then wiped her eyes, and sat up.

"What are you doing here?"

Shego asked, trying her best to sound cold.

"I came up here to check on you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Why were you crying?"

"None of your damn business."

Kim sighed in frustration. She kinda knew that Shego wouldn't open up to her, but she was secretly hoping that she would open up to her.

"Look, I just want to help."

"Why do you want to help me anyway?"

"Because despite our past differences I see you as a very strong and admirable person. Therefore, it concerns me to see you crying like the entire world is coming crashing down around you."

Shego just stared at Kim, as her answer had thrown her for a loop. She was expecting her to say it's because helping people is what heroines do.

After a few moments of silence, Shego finally spoke.

"Look, princess, I appreciate the sentiment but there are some things about me you would never understand."

"Maybe I would, if you'd be willing to let me in."

"Well, I'm not willing to let you in. Or anyone for that matter."

"So you'll kiss me and pretty much confess to being in love with me, but you won't let me know what's going through your head? If you ask me, I think telling someone why you're crying would be easier than kissing them, and pretty much confessing your love to them."

Once again, Shego was at a loss for words. In a way though, Kim did have a point. She was able to kiss her and basically confess to being in love with her, but she couldn't tell her why she was crying. Then again, Shego was never good at letting people know why she was crying. Most of the time she just hides away from everyone, when the tears start to fall. In fact, there was only ever one person that had caught her crying, that she confessed to the reason for her tears.

"Some things are easier to talk about than others."

"That may be true, but aren't you tired of crying? And don't even get me started on those nightmares of yours."

"The nightmares will stop eventually, they always do."

"But wouldn't you rather have them stop sooner rather than later? Maybe talking about it would help."

"Yeah, maybe."

Shego had spoken mostly to herself, but Kim had still heard her. Truth be told she hated the pain her nightmares caused her, and wanted nothing more than for them to stop. But, was she really ready to open up and let Kim into a part of her life she had kept secret for so long?

There was also a matter of trust. In the past she had only truly ever trusted one person, and they had broken that trust. Now, trusting people was not something that came easily to her.

Realizing that neither of them had spoken for a while, Kim took hold of Shego's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Shego looked at Kim's hand holding hers, and felt the heat rise to her face.

"I understand you like to have your secrets, everyone has secrets. However, it's clear to me that your secret is causing you a lot of emotional pain. I can't make you tell me what your secret is, but I'll be here to listen when you're ready to talk."

Kim then released Shego's hand, and got up to leave. However, she was stopped by Shego grabbing a hold of her arm.

"Okay."

"Okay what?"

"I'll talk."

"Really? Why the sudden change?"

Shego let go of Kim's arm, and just shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just tired of hurting."

Kim could see the pain in Shego's eyes, and couldn't help but feel bad for her. Kim then resumed her seat next to Shego, and turned to face the pale skinned woman.

"I'm listening."

Kim said, giving Shego her full attention. Shego looked at Kim, secretly grateful that she was there. Yet at the same time she was a little surprised that Kim was willing to listen.

"Before I start, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"Why are you taking the time to listen to what I have to say?"

"I care about you."

Kim's answer shocked Shego. Then again, it wasn't the first time that night that Kim had said something surprising.

"You care about me?"

"Well, yeah. I mean why wouldn't I?"

"Because we're enemies."

"Shego, you've been staying with my family and I for a few weeks now. I don't think we can really be considered enemies anymore."

"Yeah, I guess."

Silence then befell the two women. As they sat in a comfortable silence, Shego thought back to what brought her to the Possible home in the first place.

"To think it all started with me getting shit faced."

Shego thought, remembering how she had drank more than her fair share of alcohol. Thinking about her actions that night caused Shego to giggle.

"What's so funny?"

Kim asked, confused as to why Shego was suddenly laughing.

"I was just thinking about what brought me here in the first place. Who knew alcohol would cause me to be staying with a teen heroine, Kim Possible?"

"Speaking of alcohol, why did you get so drunk that day?"

Shego was about to answer, but quickly decided against it.

"So, about that secret of mine."

Kim noticed that Shego had changed the subject, but decided not to worry about it.

"One thing at a time I suppose."

Kim thought.

"Yeah, about that. Well, I'm ready whenever you are."

"It's kinda a long story."

"It's okay, I've got time."

Kim then gave Shego a gentle smile, once again letting her know that she was there for her.

Shego then took a deep breath to steady herself. She was glad to be getting some of the pain she was harboring off her chest, but she was still nervous about it.

"It all started when I was four years old."

End of chapter 21: