Shego was fighting to keep her eyes open. She watched Kim fling the 100th GJ agent over her head. It was almost as effective as counting sheep. She wasn't sure whether to nod off or take pictures.
A gray cuff stood out on Kim's wrist. It was hibernating, biding its time. It wasn't often Kim felt threatened. Thus, the slumbering cyclops remained in its cave. There was no cause for alarm at the migration of lambs.
Dr. Director's voice boomed over the intercom.
"Alright, agents, great work! Phase two of the experiment is complete! Unrelated side note: Report to the gymnasium tomorrow at 09:00 hours for remedial martial arts instruction."
With bruised pride and limbs, the agents groaned as they left the gym. Shego snickered from her makeshift throne. A plush tan couch had been placed in the corner of the white laminated floor. In front of it was a state of the art flatscreen TV- provided for phase three.
Shego didn't quite regret being a spectator at this event. It had been amusing to watch Kim lie to Dr. Director for phase one. Of course, Kim had to throw in a barb; she lied that her favorite color was green. Shego resented that, but it did provide an opportunity to plot delicious revenge.
"Ms. Possible, Shego, meet me in the GJ Media Archive to commence phase three. Your objective is to choose video that will elicit a variety of reactions from Ms. Possible. You will return to the gymnasium and watch your selections until the Centurion Project has gathered sufficient data. Questions?"
"No, I understand what to do. Thanks, Dr. Director. C'mon, Shego! Movie night!"
Kim dusted her hands off as she stepped away from the safety mat. There was no indication she'd just won a hundred fights. Her forehead was dry as a desert, not a drop of sweat to be found. She skipped towards Shego with an excited smile. Her grumpy oasis awaited.
Shego anchored herself to her seat. She yawned and performed a languid stretch.
"Pass. Not helping, remember?" she waved her right hand in dismissal.
To Shego's surprise, Kim grasped that hand and pulled her to her feet. Shego growled and wrenched both of them back onto the couch. Kim let out a breathless laugh.
"You don't have to help. I just thought it might be fun to see the archive together! I've heard it's impressive!"
Shego felt Kim's palms press against her shoulders. She stared into compassionate forests, free of malice or deception. She realized Kim was straddling her lap. A wicked thought crossed her mind and exited her mouth before she could stop it- not that she would have tried. For Shego, revenge was a dish best served hot.
"I don't have wheels, Princess. If you wanted a ride, you should have asked for my motorcycle."
Kim turned beet red and jumped away. The Centurion Project reacted and covered Kim's right forearm with a greave.
"Shego!" Kim complained. Her posture was uncertain, a mix of coiling for a fight and tensing to run. She glared daggers at the woman who was shaking with peals of laughter.
Dr. Director's pragmatic tone echoed in the room.
"Ms. Possible, Shego, let's not muddy the data. It's time for phase three. Report to the archive."
"Stay here. See if I care," Kim cheeks had faded to petunia pink. Shego sprung up and followed Kim as she stomped from the gymnasium. The Centurion Project retracted its greave.
The two made their way through the winding hallways in silence. Kim was fuming, and Shego wore a self-satisfied smirk. Both expressions shifted as the door to the archive glided open. A breeze ushered the two women inside.
The archive was twice the size of the largest warehouse Kim and Shego had fought in. It was covered floor to ceiling in records, tapes, DVDs, and more- all manner of digital media, from old to new. Kim was the first to recover from her awe. She wandered to a nearby shelf and pulled out a romance movie.
"Oh, I missed this when it was in theaters! In fact," Kim turned and smirked at Shego. "I bet you did, too. You were stealing components for Drakken's, what, thirtieth death ray?"
"Pfft," Shego vibrated her lips. "Lame insult, Pumpkin. Dr. D's stupid plans weren't my idea."
"Yeah, but you went along with them. Oh!" Kim's enthusiasm forestalled Shego's acrid comeback. She scurried about the room and snatched DVDs from their slots. Shego decided it wasn't terrible to watch Kim flit around.
Kim returned in under two minutes balancing a pile of DVDs. She proudly showed her treasure trove to Shego.
"Kimmie, these are all chick flicks," Shego chuckled as she examined a copy of When Larry Met Hallie.
"Oh, come on, Shego, I know you like them too!" Shego refused to look at Kim's endearing pout.
"That's not the point. And this one- I know you've already seen!" Shego grumbled and returned the rerun. As she slid The Notepad back in its slot, something caught her eye. It had a classified label; it was off limits. She had to have it.
Shego made a big show of stretching to grab a DVD case from a high shelf. When she was sure Kim's attention was on her selection process, she acted. A skilled hand snuck the desired DVD into the top of her boot. Feeling immense pleasure at having stolen right under Kim's nose, Shego stuck her arm out with her random choice.
"Snowman Hank? Well, if you think it will help…"
Shego groaned, but the prize was worth the price.
Shego decided her night had taken a turn for the worse. It was a turn so sharp it might as well be a U-turn. She wished it was; she could zoom in the opposite direction of GJ headquarters. She lounged against the couch's armrest, shapely legs hanging over the other end. Her posture contraindicated her perturbed mood.
Phase three of the experiment had been interesting. It wasn't a proper movie night. Rather, Dr. Director had instructed them to swap DVDs after only a few minutes of viewing time. The entire phase had lasted just over an hour. Shego surmised the intent was to monitor minute changes in Kim's mood. Kim wasn't happy about it; Shego wasn't either. She did want to see some of those movies.
Shego was sure she'd pissed off a trickster deity. Dr. Director's solution for phase four was nuts. She'd asked for male agents under age thirty to volunteer. Their goal was to trigger Kim's embarrassment in a romantic context.
A long line of fit men stretched past the door to the gymnasium. At the head of the centipede stood Kim. She gave the lineup a shy smile and waved to them with her left hand. Her nerves were undetectable to the men, but Shego spotted them in an instant.
"Hey, everyone, I'm Kim! Thank you for volunteering to help me tonight! I'll put in a good word for you!"
A raucous voice shouted from beyond the line's visible boundary.
"WE LOVE YOU KIM POSSIBLE!"
The men cheered, whooped, and created smatters of applause. Shego slapped a hand over her eyes in disgust. She scoffed as she spread her fingers and saw Kim's blush. This was a trainwreck already.
"C'mon, Cupcake! Show some backbone!"
"I'm just your basic average girl! Really!" Kim made a placating gesture. "Okay, um! We should- we should start!"
Shego couldn't believe her misfortune. She'd been bound and gagged and stuck in a chair for a meeting of the Kim Possible Fan Club.
"Great, now I have to watch a bunch of gormless fanboys fawn over Kimmie! I should have stayed at the lair! That fucking pout…"
As Kim signaled the first GJ agent to come forward, Shego found a silver lining. She could see nothing but inept clowns for miles. Their failed advances would be like missed pie throws and popped balance balls. This whole circus was mocking gold.
The first man saluted in front of Kim. Shego mimed eating popcorn. Kim, who had been diligently ignoring her, spared her a glare before addressing the man.
"Hey, Will," Kim crossed her arms and smirked. "I'm surprised you volunteered for this."
"Yes, well," Will Du sniffed, "involvement with the Centurion Project will improve my record."
"How romantic," Kim narrowed her eyes at him. "Anything else to say before I skip you?"
"Er…your shoes," Will pointed down, his right eyebrow raised.
"What about them?" Kim steeled herself for the impending carnage.
"They aren't regulation. In fact, your whole outfit is ineffective. Meet me at the GJ store and I'll make sure to fix it for you," Will seemed proud of his invitation.
Kim furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head. The pick up line was so terrible she'd swallowed her laugh. "Next."
Shego's jaw dropped. This wasn't funny- it was just sad. She wondered if there was a wormhole out of this nightmare. She'd take a Drakken rant over this disaster any day.
The peripheral attention Shego was getting from the men didn't feel as gratifying as usual. Something bothered her. She took another look at the deluge waiting to seduce Kim. They were like Pavlov's dogs salivating over the clink of a bell.
The second man stepped up to Kim to try his luck.
"Brick? Hi? When did you join Global Justice?" Kim seemed inquisitive; she was more willing to give this volunteer a chance to impress her. Shego supposed he was somewhat attractive.
"Uh," the former Middleton High football star shrugged. "They canceled my sports scholarship due to the invasion, and I figured it'd be good to help out. These guns aren't just for show!" Brick assumed a front double biceps pose.
"Well, that's…actually pretty sweet," Kim smiled up at him. "Still dating Bonnie?"
"Nah. We split after I graduated. For good, this time. But, enough about her! Let's talk about our date!"
"Okay," Kim tilted her head. "Where would you take me?"
Shego folded her forearms behind her head. This guy wasn't half bad- maybe he'd be the winner.
"Where I take all my ladies! To the gym, of course! You're about my warmup weight- for one hand, that is! How 'bout you bring the green babe and meet me there? I've got two arms!"
Shego had been dead wrong. Kim gave Brick a remorseful, though not unkind smile. Shego felt it was far too magnanimous. She would've gifted the guy a knuckle sandwich.
"Mm…nice as that sounds, I think I'll pass. Sorry," Kim placed a consoling hand on Brick's arm. He sighed as he turned and trudged out of the gym.
As the third man approached, Shego couldn't stand it anymore. Kim was a worthy opponent, not a choice piece of meat at the butcher's shop. These men had no clue what Kim wanted- what she needed. They were destined to bumble and bungle the objective.
Shego, on the other hand, had a real plan.
Kim prepared herself for an arduous journey as the third man approached her. If the first two were indicative of the line's caliber, phase four was doomed. The third guy waggled his eyebrows at her and donned a hero pose.
"Hey little lady! I'm Chad, and-"
Shego made no noise as she walked behind Chad and zapped his temple. Kim caught him as he toppled like a pile of bricks.
"Shego! What? Why?"
Shego ignored her and turned to address the line. Kim frowned. She gently laid the unconscious man on his side.
"Alright, boys! Party's over!"
The men with the most sense moved like the tide pulling away from the shore. They filed out of the gymnasium without a word. Two of the braver agents picked up their comrade and carried him out. A gust from an air conditioning vent lifted his GJ baseball cap off. It flew like a whirligig and landed atop the dormant television.
The slow crowd needed extra encouragement. Shego lit up. Kim stepped in front of her. Disapproval was etched into her stance.
"Shego, stop! Why are you doing this?"
Shego ignored her again.
"Anyone still here after I count to ten gets a plasma enema! Understood? One! Five! Nine!"
Shego's growl reverberated against the cavernous walls. The remaining men were morose as they booked a hasty exit. Kim turned to acknowledge them. She mouthed an apology and waved goodbye with her right hand.
"Shego…" Kim looked over her shoulder and grimaced at the older woman. "Is there a good explanation for this? Because if there's not…"
"Ooh, I'm so scared, Pumpkin," Shego smirked as she walked over to the displaced GJ cap.
"…then I'm just going to assume you did that because you're jealous." Shego looked like someone had shattered a wine glass on her new dress. Kim's smug grin didn't help.
"Very funny," Shego drawled, "I just want out of here before the sun comes up." She swiped the cap by its brim and angrily crushed it onto her head.
"I don't wait in lines, Kimmie!"
Kim had trouble processing Shego's meaning. Did she want- was she trying to- no way, right? While Shego had a solid track record of embarrassing Kim, she was usually the catalyst. She wasn't the subject. Kim had to make sure.
"Shego, are you…are you taking a turn?" Kim sounded incredulous, but she felt intrigued.
"What does it look like?" Shego stalked over to Kim as she twisted two voluminous strands of hair into a braid.
"Um…I don't know if you can?"
Shego stopped braiding and scowled. Kim held her breath. The familiar fire of rivalry shone in Shego's uranium-bright eyes.
"'Course I can. Better than those assholes. Just watch."
Kim did watch as Shego completed her messy plaits. She wasn't sure how to feel about Shego's possessive behavior. It meant she cared, but it felt like she was staking a claim. Kim didn't belong to anyone but herself.
The discussion of boundaries would have to wait. Progress with Shego couldn't be rushed. Kim focused on the present. She found Shego's unkempt hairstyle cute. It finally dawned on her what she was doing. Kim giggled as Shego struggled to stuff her bountiful mane into the hat.
"Shego? Are you trying to look like a guy?"
"Yeah, so?"
"You can't."
Shego's offended sneer made Kim laugh harder.
"Sure I can! I have more muscle than all of the guys you were into combined!"
Kim considered that theory as Shego flexed for her. She determined it was true, but she refused to add more helium to Shego's overinflated ego.
"It's not that. You're just too…uh…" Kim dared a glance at the curves on display. Shego picked up on the attention and discarded the GJ cap. She sauntered up to Kim with a grin a shark would be proud of.
"Too what? Gorgeous? Elegant? Venusian?"
Kim choked back another giggle.
"Buxom."
Shego closed her eyes as though she were praying for patience. Since nothing exploded, Kim figured she didn't mind the adjective. As predicted:
"Fair enough, Princess. I can fix that. Wait here."
Kim heard concerning noises from the adjacent hallway as Shego acquired the goods. She looked at the security cameras and loudspeaker. Dr. Director hadn't intervened. Whatever was happening mustn't have been too alarming.
Kim's lips sucked in as Shego reappeared. She was dragging a buff GJ agent by the sleeve of his uniform. Most agents were terrified of Shego, but this one was smiling. Kim narrowed her eyes. She recognized the agent as the MIS primary gate guard. Shego was definitely up to something.
Shego wore an oversized black pilot's jacket zipped to the collar. She'd given up on concealing her hair and instead tied it in a half-up ponytail- similar to Motor Ed. A pair of sharp, inverted triangle sunglasses shaded her vibrant eyes. A grass colored bandanna held her bangs at bay. She'd also wiped her makeup off, lips a pale, pastel green.
Kim had to admit it was a good attempt at barebones crossdressing. Shego's angular, well-defined jawline, chiseled physique, and 5'9" frame helped sell it. Kim watched as Shego leaned up to the GJ agent's ear and whispered something. He nodded and returned to the hallway with a bouncy stride. Kim was baffled as Shego approached her again.
"Hey, Kim. My name's Connor. I saw you at MIS and wanted to introduce myself. How was your day? Did you save any more roaming cats from trees?" Shego spoke in her lowest, weightiest tone. It was the one typically reserved for threats. Now, it oozed out like saccharine molasses.
Despite the vocal appeal, Kim wasn't impressed with the opener. She decided to play along and see how bad it would get. She was looking forward to prodding Shego about 'Connor' later.
"Nice to meet you, Connor. My day was..eventful. The second question depends upon your definition of a cat," Kim smirked at Shego, who didn't take the bait. She instead gave Kim a warm smile.
"Eventful, was it? I'd love to hear more. Wait, what's that?" Shego cupped a hand to her ear, "It sounds like the couch is interested too! Care to join me?"
Kim chuckled and leaned against the wall.
"Couches don't care."
"But I do," Shego asserted. "And the couch is comfy. If we're going to talk for a while, I'd rather you get to rest your feet."
"Uh…? Connor kinda sounds like Ms. Go! Shego…Shego's being sweet? It can't be. Shego? Sweet? This is so the drama!"
Kim stumbled in place, thrown for a loop. She realized she might be in trouble; she fought back the blood rising to her cheeks.
Shego's time as Ms. Go had given her insight into Kim's preferences. She knew what Kim liked, what she responded to, and what resonated with her. She held out her hand to Kim, palm up.
"C'mon. It's only a few steps away. Afterwards, we can watch The Notepad 2. I bought it on special prerelease. My treat!"
Shego withdrew the DVD case from beneath her jacket. It was the unreleased copy she'd stolen from the media archive earlier. What Kim didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
"O-Okay, Sh- Connor. That does sound nice," Kim stared at Shego's inviting hand. She wanted to take it, but…
"Is this okay? Would Ron be upset? No…it's just a training exercise to calibrate the suit! No harm in it…right?"
Kim flinched as Shego placed that hand on her shoulder. She felt a reassuring squeeze. It caused her to blanch. Shego knew how to be kind? Why, then, was she always so abrasive?
"Sorry, Kim. I didn't mean to stress you out. Do you want to talk, or should I come back later?"
"Talk, please and thank you," Kim hid the pink splotches on her cheeks as she made her way to the couch. The Centurion Project betrayed her by extending metal plats up her forearm. Kim rested her arm behind her back. Shego kneeled in front of Kim's legs.
"Why are you down there, Connor?" Kim felt a fuzzy ball of static electricity in her stomach. Each time Shego's persona made a move, the sphere unfurled tendrils in multiple directions. She tried hard to ignore it as Shego's fingers worked to undo her shoelaces.
"Kim, I saw you stumble. I've learned a thing or two about massage. I can help- unless you're not interested?" Shego lowered her glasses. She gave Kim an imploring look, asking permission. Kim's breath was stolen by the thief's foreign subservience. She etched the image into her memory- she doubted she'd ever see Shego make that face again.
"I'd…like that," Kim's response was automatic. She wished she'd hesitated, but she was as curious as a fox digging into a henhouse. The Centurion Project moved to encompass her shoulder. Kim knew Shego would taunt her later, but it didn't matter. She had even greater ammunition in the form of Connor.
"Relax," Shego crooned, "And tell me about your day."
Shego removed both of Kim's boots and peeled off her socks. Kim opened her mouth to speak, but gasped instead. Shego's two-handed grip had closed around her left ankle. The other woman felt like a heated blanket; her magic fingers soothed the aches of an extreme lifestyle.
Kim melted into a puddle as Shego's powerful digits moved up. Tense bunches were pressed and smoothed out of her calf. Kim tried to remain still, but she twisted and squirmed. The warmth from Shego's calloused palms felt divine.
"Mmm…" Kim slapped her uncovered hand over her mouth. Had she really made that noise? The Centurion Project jailed her chest. She squeaked as her cheeks reddened.
Shego's dastardly grin was hidden by a wayward curtain of hair. She tutted, breaking character, her voice going up a teasing octave.
"Is that all, Kimmie? Weren't you gonna tell me about your day?" She answered Kim's misty, blissed gaze with a boastful smirk.
Kim lowered her hand, scrunched her eyebrows, and tried to recover.
"Connor, why do you sound like my former arch- AHH!"
Kim let out a yelp of surprise, crimson traveling down her neck. Her leg jerked out of the other woman's grasp. Shego's plasma pulse blitzed to the top of Kim's knee and split five ways down her toes. It ignited every nerve ending along its path. The Centurion Project pressed around Kim's torso as she tackled Shego to the ground.
"Shego! What the fu- heck was that?!" Kim's biomechanical fist ripped the collar of Shego's pilfered jacket as she picked her up.
"Part of the basic massage package, Kimmie. You should've inquired- the deluxe includes a happy ending!" Shego shrugged, that smarmy smirk incensing Kim to no end.
"Ugh! You're Shego, alright! Take this stupid disguise off!" Kim tore the jacket in half- the shirt underneath was a bystander casualty. The GJ agent from earlier chose his moment to walk in.
"Oh, Ms. Shego, I have a messa- am I interrupting?" Kim whipped around and watched as the GJ agent went bug-eyed. The Centurion Project fully engaged. Every bit of Kim's skin that was visible had turned burgundy.
Kim looked like a robot action figure fresh off the production line. She'd seen Shego's toned abdominals. There were thick sheets of muscle packed on top of voluptuous hips, creating a hard-and-soft contrast. Most unforgettable of all, she'd caught a glimpse of a black and green sports bra. The colors were cleaved the same way as Shego's favored outfit.
Shego couldn't help but let loose a bark of laughter. She folded the scraps of her top together with practiced indifference. She slid from under Kim and rose up in one fluid motion.
"You know what, Jenkins? You're alright."
Shego gave the GJ agent a thumbs up with her right hand, holding the cloth tatters together with her left.
"Thanks, Ms. Shego!"
Shego narrowed her eyes and shook a flaming fist at him.
"Shego! Shego only! You better not be doing that on purpose!"
"Ah, Sorry! Politeness is ingrained in my family, mi-, uh, Shego," Jenkins ducked his mop of dark hair in deference. His grin underneath was goofy and good-natured. Shego lowered her fist.
"Fine…But you're on thin ice!"
Dr. Director's voice piped in from above.
"Well done, Shego, Lieutenant Jenkins. The hard part is over. We have enough data to reconfigure the Centurion Project to Kim's vitals. The last phase of the experiment has concluded!"
Kim snapped out of her freeze. She stood up, frowned, and crossed her arms. Shego zeroed in on her like a heat-seeking missile. She placed her index finger under Kim's chin and sneered in her face.
"You lose, Kimmie!"
Shego prepared herself for an uppercut aided by the Centurion Project's ruthless strength. The blow never came.
"How did you do it, Shego?"
Shego blinked, then stepped back, pride soaring like a wild stallion on conquered plains.
"Easy. You go for nice guys. Sensitive, gentle, mushy men who cave to your every whim. You know- pushovers. I'm none of those things," Shego smirked, "But I can fake it a hell of a lot better than these GJ goons! They don't have a romantic bone in their bodies!"
Shego jabbed a thumb at Jenkins, who smiled and shrugged.
"Guilty as charged!"
"See? Clueless," Shego shook her head with open derision.
Kim's ribs boiled with rage as Shego's words and actions sunk in. Memories of Eric and Josh made her want to vomit. There Shego had been, exploiting Kim's insecurities, almost erasing her from reality once- mortifying her. Shego was like a toddler playing Minesweeper; she just didn't know when to quit pressing buttons.
Even now, Shego had played Kim's heart like an overtaxed fiddle. She did so despite knowing how much it affected Kim. And for what? A notch of chalk on their imaginary scoreboard? Weren't they supposed to be friends now?
Shego treated Kim's feelings like a joke. Kim would make sure she paid for her hubris.
Kim lanced forward and landed a nasty roundhouse to Shego's right arm. Shego grunted, unable to match the Centurion Project's upgraded speed, her left shoulder slamming into the gymnasium wall. The impact left a dent in the concrete. Shego lit up and made a come-hither motion towards Kim.
"Bring it, Princess!" Shego yelled, forgetting about her mild state of undress. She lobbed several gobs of plasma towards Kim, who went airborne and zigzagged among them with ease.
"At least I don't go for brawny, brainless men whose only talents are lifting weights and preening in front of a mirror!" Kim shouted, "I always knew you went for flash over substance- or, was it cash?"
Shego snarled and leapt into the air. Kim activated the Centurion Project's new hyperdrive. She rocketed towards Shego and aimed a punch at her shoulder- only to be blasted back by a shockwave from the sudden intensity of Shego's glow.
Kim blacked out. When she came to, she was plastered against the gymnasium wall. The Centurion Project wouldn't let her move forward. Yellow triangles and orange exclamation marks filled her vision.
WARNING: HEAT LIMIT EXCEEDED
WARNING: THERM. RAD. LMT. EX.
WARNING: XRAY RAD. LMT. EX.
WARNING: UV RAD. LMT. EX.
Kim's eyes widened, jaw hanging open- Shego was going all out to defend herself. It was impossible for her to land a hit on Kim with the Bebes' hyperspeed. So, Shego did the only thing she could- try to use her glow as a shield.
Kim had plenty of time to observe Shego's expression- the world around her was cast in immobile plastic. Shego's teeth were gnashed in a downturned clench of rage. Her eyes were softer, rounded, awash in a basin of hurt, betrayal, and fear. Kim's chest tightened- she was reminded of Shego's face when she'd kicked her into the electrical tower.
"Shego…frame by frame, and I still can't tell what you're thinking. I picked a fight you had no chance to win, but your pride wouldn't let you surrender. I knew you'd never back down. I wanted an excuse to punish you. You messed up…but why am I still treating you like an enemy?"
"Override directives," Kim said, and the warnings vanished. She flew behind Shego and wrapped her arms around a plasmic waist. The Centurion Project's outer shell began to turn white and slough off as Kim deactivated the hyperdrive. The lights and cameras in the gymnasium shattered, Shego's blinding glow the only thing lighting the space.
"I'm sorry, stop, please," Kim whispered into Shego's ear. "We're not enemies anymore. Let's talk. Please, Shego?"
Kim felt Shego stiffen and shiver. Her body trembled with the effort of swallowing the comet back into the void. It was to no avail; the falling asteroid was intent on consuming all in its path.
"Kim…run…can't control it," Shego gritted out. The glow began to crawl down her hips, tendrils licking at her thighs, exploring unknown territory.
Kim didn't move.
"Run! It's gonna blow!" Shego pleaded.
"No! You can control it! I believe in you," Kim cooed into Shego's ear, her smooth, metallic glove rubbing soothing circles into a floodlit stomach. "Stay calm. You've got this."
Shego closed her eyes, leaned back, and tried to relax. Her hands, motionless in claw strike, traveled down, painting the atmosphere. Two brushstrokes of plasma dripped in the desecrated air. They were mint-tinted alabaster with a dispersion of black bubbles.
Shego's taloned fingers settled onto Kim's armored forearms. Her mind tugged on the comet's plasma tail with all its might. The frigid cold bit down and dragged her cortex through the clouds. Her brain served as an atmospheric aerosol for a hailstone. She couldn't feel, she couldn't think, she couldn't brea-
"Let go. It's okay, Shego. You don't have to suffer. If it…happens, I'll take the blame, but I don't think it will. I know you can do it."
She heard Kim's voice. She could think. She felt Kim's arms around her. She could feel. The ice crystals around her mottled like druzy quartz as she exhaled. She could breathe. She let go. She listened.
The celestial body catapulted away. It was sure to return on a looping orbit. What calamity it would inflict in the meantime, Shego didn't know. She was no longer in control. Her consciousness was a residual snowflake on the breeze.
Kim thought the plasma trails Shego had made were beautiful. They were reminiscent of suspended meteors. An alarm shrieked in her ear as plasma reached the Centurion Project's inner shell. She knew she should be afraid, but she wasn't.
"You know, I watched you avoid crushing Rufus during a mission. You kept punching the floor and missed him on purpose. You've always been in perfect control," Kim rested her forehead on Shego's shoulder. She waited for a response, but received none.
The floating plasma streaks faded out. The body in Kim's arms dimmed to lamplight before winking out. Shego was shaking like the last leaf of fall in a blizzard. Kim held her tighter. She pulled her knees up to better support her charge.
"I can't pretend I understand your decisions. But I do know you always choose. You don't let others choose for you."
Kim smiled as the alarm shut off. The plasma had eaten into the Centurion Project's inner shell- it wasn't regenerating as it should. She felt the painful prickle of a first degree burn raise along her torso. Nevertheless, Kim refused to move away from the now-unconscious woman slumped against her.
Kim winced at the half-exposed hand on Shego's belly. Second degree blisters chewed up her palm as the adrenaline abated. She squinted when the beam of a GJ standard-issue flashlight shone into her eyes. Kim startled the hapless agent with her triumphant smile.
"I survived my first day as Shego's friend! Anything's possible for a Possible!"