Chapter 14: The Proposal

Ibiza's nightlife was like nothing Kevin had ever experienced. The island pulsed with energy—neon lights flashing in every direction, bodies moving to the hypnotic rhythm of the music, and the air thick with heat, sweat, and the scent of expensive colognes and perfumes. Kevin and Shego, standing on the rooftop balcony of one of the island's most exclusive nightclubs, took in the scene below them. The Mediterranean breeze blew lightly through their hair, a contrast to the hot chaos inside the club.

Kevin was deep in thought, his eyes fixed on the dance floor below, but his mind far away from the revelry. He had brought Shego here to get away from everything for a little while, to let loose and enjoy themselves after weeks of stress and tension. But even as the night wore on, Kevin's mind was already formulating a plan—an audacious idea that had been simmering in the back of his mind since their last mission together.

Shego leaned against the balcony rail, her emerald eyes gleaming in the moonlight as she sipped a cocktail, completely at ease in this environment. The leopard-print dress she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, and she radiated confidence, as always. She caught Kevin staring and raised an eyebrow.

"See something you like?" she teased, her lips curling into a smirk.

Kevin blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Always."

Shego tilted her head, studying him more closely now. "You've been quiet all night. What's going on in that head of yours, pretty boy?"

Kevin chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Just... thinking."

Shego rolled her eyes playfully. "You know, this is Ibiza, right? Thinking is optional here. You're supposed to be having fun." She pushed herself off the railing and sidled up next to him, her fingers tracing the collar of his shirt. "But since you're in one of those moods, why don't you tell me what's got you so worked up?"

Kevin hesitated, searching her face for any sign of reluctance before speaking. "I've been thinking about us... and about Drakken."

Shego's expression hardened slightly at the mention of her former employer, but she didn't pull away. "What about him?"

Kevin turned to face her fully, placing his hands on her shoulders gently. "Shego, we're good together. You know that. We've proven it in the field, time and time again. But every time we stop Drakken, we're just delaying the inevitable. He's always got another plan, another scheme. And he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants."

Shego's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze drifting away from Kevin as she considered his words. "Yeah, that sounds like him. The guy's persistent, I'll give him that."

Kevin took a deep breath, knowing that what he was about to say could change everything. "What if we stopped him? For good."

Shego's eyes snapped back to his, a mixture of surprise and suspicion flashing across her face. "What are you getting at?"

"I'm saying that you could help us," Kevin said earnestly. "You know him better than anyone. You know how he operates, what his weaknesses are. With your skills and knowledge, you could help us take him down once and for all."

Shego stared at him, her expression unreadable. The idea clearly caught her off guard. She crossed her arms and looked out at the skyline, silent for a long moment before responding.

"You want me to betray him," she said, her voice low and cautious.

Kevin shook his head quickly. "No, that's not what this is about. I'm not asking you to betray anyone. I'm asking you to make a choice. A choice to do something good, something that could change everything. You've already shown me that you're capable of more than just being Drakken's enforcer. You've got potential, Shego. More than he ever gave you credit for."

Shego's jaw tightened, and she turned her back to him, leaning against the balcony rail again. "You make it sound so easy. Like it's just a matter of flipping a switch and suddenly, I'm the good guy."

Kevin stepped closer, placing a hand on her arm. "I know it's not easy. I know this is a huge decision, and I'm not asking you to make it lightly. But we've been through a lot together, Shego. I trust you, and I believe in you. You don't have to keep doing this—working for Drakken, fighting against me and Kim, being stuck in this cycle. You can break free."

Shego didn't say anything for a moment, her eyes fixed on the waves crashing against the distant shore. Kevin could see the internal struggle written on her face. He knew that this was a deeply personal decision for her—one that went beyond just their relationship. Shego had built her entire identity around being Drakken's right-hand woman, and walking away from that life meant stepping into the unknown.

Finally, Shego spoke, her voice quieter than before. "You don't get it, Kevin. Drakken may be an idiot, but he's been there for me when no one else was. I owe him, whether I like it or not. He's... he's all I've ever known."

Kevin's heart ached at the vulnerability in her voice, a rare glimpse behind the walls she had built around herself. "You don't owe him anything, Shego. Not anymore. You're your own person, and you deserve to make choices that are right for you—not out of some sense of obligation."

Shego looked down, her fingers gripping the edge of the balcony tightly. "And what if I choose you? What happens then?"

Kevin swallowed, the weight of her question hitting him like a ton of bricks. He hadn't expected her to be so direct, but now that the possibility was out in the open, he had to face it head-on. "If you choose me... we figure things out together. We'll take down Drakken, and after that? I don't know. But we'll have each other. That's enough for me."

Shego turned to face him again, her eyes searching his for any hint of doubt. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

Kevin nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I am."

Shego studied him for a long time, her expression softening as she saw the sincerity in his eyes. She stepped closer, her hands resting on his chest as she leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear. "You're crazy, you know that?"

Kevin chuckled softly, his arms wrapping around her waist. "I've been called worse."

Shego pulled back slightly, her face inches from his as she met his gaze. "I'm not making any promises, Kevin. I can't just walk away from everything overnight."

"I'm not asking you to," Kevin said, his voice low. "I just want you to think about it. That's all."

Shego sighed, resting her head against his chest as the weight of the decision pressed down on her. For the first time in her life, she was seriously considering a future that didn't involve Drakken, and it terrified her. But at the same time, being with Kevin—feeling his warmth, his trust, his unwavering belief in her—made her wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was another way.

They stood there for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, the sounds of Ibiza's nightlife fading into the background. For the first time in a long time, Shego felt something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in years—hope.

The next morning, as the sun rose over the island, casting a golden glow across the water, Kevin and Shego made their way down to the beach. The tension from the night before had eased somewhat, but the weight of their conversation still hung in the air.

Kevin watched as Shego kicked off her sandals and waded into the shallow surf, the water lapping at her ankles. He could see the gears turning in her mind, and he knew that the decision she was facing wasn't an easy one. She had built her life around being a villain, and stepping away from that would require her to confront parts of herself that she had buried long ago.

Shego glanced back at him, her expression unreadable. "You really think this can work? Me... doing the whole hero thing?"

Kevin smiled, stepping into the water beside her. "I think you can do whatever you set your mind to."

Shego scoffed, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice. "You're such a sap."

"Maybe," Kevin admitted, reaching for her hand. "But I mean it."

They stood there in the water, the waves gently rolling against their legs as the sun climbed higher in the sky. For the first time in a long time, Shego allowed herself to imagine a future that didn't involve schemes, heists, or world domination. It was a terrifying thought, but standing here with Kevin, she felt like maybe—just maybe—it was possible.

"I'll think about it," Shego finally said, her voice quiet but firm.

Kevin squeezed her hand, his heart swelling with hope. "That's all I'm asking."

As they walked back to the beach house they had rented for the weekend, Kevin couldn't help but feel like this was the beginning of something new—something that could change both of their lives forever.

But as they reached the door, Shego stopped him, turning to face him with a serious expression.

"Just so we're clear," she said, her eyes locking onto his, "if I do this—if I help you take down Drakken—you better be damn sure you're ready for the fallout. Because once we cross that line, there's no going back."

Kevin nodded, his expression just as serious. "I know. And I'm ready."

Shego stared at him for a moment longer before nodding, satisfied with his answer. "Good. Then let's make sure we do this right."

And with that, they stepped inside, ready to face whatever came next.

The proposal was out there now, and though the road ahead was uncertain, Kevin knew one thing for sure: whatever happened next, he and Shego would face it together.

The dance floor pulsed with a hypnotic beat, Komodo by Mauro Picotto flooding the air with its trance-like rhythm. The combination of heavy bass and entrancing melody seemed to pull everyone into a collective movement, bodies swaying, spinning, and pulsating in perfect harmony. Kevin and Shego had moved back inside the nightclub after their heavy conversation, the weight of their future momentarily set aside. It was time to live in the now, to let go, if only for a brief moment.

The music hit Kevin first. The deep, throbbing beats sent vibrations through his chest as he stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching Shego lose herself in the rhythm. She had a way of moving that was both graceful and dangerous, the same fluidity she used in battle translating seamlessly into her dancing. Her body moved in sync with the music, arms above her head, hips swaying to the beat as her eyes closed, lost in the sound.

For a moment, Kevin hesitated, his mind still preoccupied with everything they had discussed. But the sight of Shego, carefree and completely in the moment, drew him in. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and he pushed through the crowd, making his way toward her.

As Kevin approached, Shego opened her eyes, locking onto him with a mischievous smile. Without a word, she reached for his hand, pulling him into the rhythm of the music. Kevin could feel the heat radiating off her skin as she drew him closer, their bodies just inches apart.

"You're not much of a dancer, are you?" Shego teased, her voice just audible over the pounding music.

Kevin laughed, a little awkwardly at first. "Not really. But I can try."

Shego's smile widened as she placed his hands on her waist, guiding him into the flow of the music. "Just follow my lead, pretty boy."

Kevin's nerves began to melt away as he let himself get caught up in the moment. The steady pulse of the music, the sway of Shego's body against his, and the charged atmosphere of the club all worked together to create a heady sense of exhilaration. He wasn't a natural dancer, but with Shego in his arms, he felt like he could do anything.

The lights overhead flickered and danced with the music, casting shifting colors of red, blue, and purple across the crowd. Shego's eyes shimmered in the strobe lights, her expression playful yet intense. Every move she made was deliberate, and Kevin could feel the heat building between them with each passing second.

Komodo's iconic melody began to rise, the track reaching its euphoric peak. Shego spun in his arms, her back pressing against his chest as she rolled her hips to the beat. Kevin's hands instinctively found her waist again, his body moving in sync with hers. He could smell the faint hint of her perfume, mixed with the sweat and energy of the club, and it made his heart race even faster.

For that moment, nothing else existed. There were no missions, no enemies, no complex decisions looming over them. It was just them, the music, and the connection they shared. Kevin had never felt more alive. He wasn't sure if it was the adrenaline from the night or the closeness of Shego, but something about the moment felt electric, like a spark waiting to ignite.

Shego turned to face him again, her hands sliding up his chest and over his shoulders as she leaned in close. "You're not half bad," she whispered into his ear, her voice a sultry purr that sent a shiver down his spine.

Kevin grinned, his breath catching in his throat as he looked into her eyes. "Maybe I just needed the right partner."

Shego's eyes sparkled with amusement, but there was something else there too—something deeper, something more vulnerable. For all her teasing and bravado, Kevin knew that moments like this meant something to her. Despite the walls she put up, despite her sharp edges and sarcastic remarks, Shego was letting him in, bit by bit.

The music slowed for a brief moment, a break in the beat that allowed them to catch their breath. Shego's hands stayed on his shoulders, and Kevin's hands remained firmly on her waist, their foreheads resting against each other as they shared a moment of quiet intimacy amidst the chaos of the club.

"You really think this can work?" Shego asked softly, her voice barely audible over the music.

Kevin nodded, his eyes searching hers. "Yeah. I do."

Shego looked away for a moment, her expression conflicted, before finally meeting his gaze again. "I'm scared, Kevin. Scared of what happens if I say yes."

Kevin's heart ached at her admission, knowing how much it took for her to admit something like that. "I'm scared too," he admitted, his voice low. "But I think... I think it's worth it."

Shego studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his for any sign of doubt. But she found none. Kevin was sincere—he always was. And that sincerity was something she hadn't been used to for a long time. She had spent so many years being the tough one, the one who didn't need anyone, the one who always had a quick retort or a biting comment. But with Kevin, things were different. He saw past the walls she put up. He saw her.

The music began to pick up again, the beat pulsing through the crowd once more. But neither of them moved, their eyes locked on each other as the world continued to spin around them.

Shego leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "Then let's do this."

Kevin's heart skipped a beat, the weight of her words sinking in. "Together?"

Shego pulled back slightly, just enough to look him in the eyes. "Together."

And then, without warning, she kissed him. It wasn't the first time they had kissed, but this time it felt different. This time, it wasn't just about the heat of the moment or the physical connection. This time, there was something deeper—something more real. It was a kiss that carried the weight of everything they had been through, everything they had shared, and everything they were about to face together.

When they finally pulled apart, Kevin was breathless, his heart racing. "That was... unexpected," he said with a grin.

Shego smirked, though her eyes were softer than usual. "Get used to it."

For the rest of the night, they stayed on the dance floor, moving to the rhythm of the music as the world outside ceased to exist. Komodo continued to play, its hypnotic melody weaving through the air, as Kevin and Shego let themselves get lost in the moment.

As the night wore on and the club began to empty, Kevin and Shego found themselves back on the rooftop balcony, overlooking the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The city lights glittered in the distance, but up here, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

Shego leaned against the railing, her arms crossed as she stared out at the horizon. Kevin stood beside her, hands in his pockets, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened that night.

"So," Shego began, her voice breaking the comfortable silence between them, "what's next?"

Kevin glanced at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "We figure things out. One step at a time."

Shego nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "You're not going to make this easy for me, are you?"

Kevin chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Shego shot him a sideways glance, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Good."

For the first time in a long time, Shego felt like she was standing on the edge of something new—something terrifying, but also exciting. She wasn't sure where this path would lead, but for once, she wasn't afraid to take the leap.

And with Kevin by her side, she knew she wouldn't be doing it alone.

As the first light of dawn began to break over the horizon, Kevin and Shego stood together, ready to face whatever came next.

Together.