As the older woman took a hesitant step forward, the teen couldn’t hold out any longer, and threw herself into Shego’s startled embrace.
Warm, was the last coherent thought the teen had before everything was drowned out by her tears.
Shego was startled when the brunette clung to her. What was she supposed to do? Forcing back the lump in her throat, the older female hesitantly embraced the girl. She hoped this was the right thing to do. As Bonnie gasped, Shego stiffened, fearing the younger would be the one to push her away; again. However all fears were quelled as the young Rockwaller buried her face into the crook of Shego’s neck.
Then she began to cry harder.
Momentarily alarmed, green eyes looked frantically around the kitchen for anything that would help; unfortunately, the cupboards and refrigerator offered no assistance. She wasn’t used to these types of situations. Was she supposed to say something? Shego wasn’t sure. So nothing was said, what could she say, the pale female honestly didn’t know. So she just stood there with the teen crying on her shoulder, in the middle of the kitchen, hoping the younger would stop sometime soon. Trying to be reassuring, a warm hand gently rubbed the tanned girl’s back. This wasn’t what she expected, and although it felt nice to hold the smaller girl, she couldn’t stop the building anger she felt for the brunette.
Bonnie sighed as she stood before the bedroom vanity mirror. Once clear turquoise-eyes, were red and swollen from crying. A part of her wanted to die for crying in front of Shego, but the larger part of her was just too relieved to care. Removing the silk bathrobe, she frowned at the bruises marring the perfect tan. Lightly tracing a few of the more tender wounds, tanned fingers deftly ran from collar to shoulder to the left bicep. The bruise was a disgusting purple and yellow. Only a few days old, it still hurt.
Dropping her hand, the brunette sighed. Shego wasn’t ignoring her on purpose, she didn’t even know about the abuse, and hopefully she wouldn’t ask. It was one of the unsaid rules about hanging out together. Unless the information was offered, neither would ask. All that mattered was the time they spent together. At times it would be frustrating to Bonnie, not knowing more about the woman she has been spending time with, but she was fine with it. She had to be. She couldn’t ask for more, although she wanted to.
Turning away from the mirror, the cheerleader padded to the closet, and opened the double doors. It doesn’t matter anymore, the Rockwaller tried to convince herself. It‘s not like this was the first time she had ‘crashed into the corner of a wall.’ Or ‘fell down a few steps‘ she thought with a grimace. It’s not like anyone cares. Clenching a fist, Bonnie willed herself to remain calm. It doesn’t matter right now. She was with Shego now.
Pulling out a black turtleneck, she quirked a little smile. They still have yet to go shopping for clothes for the pale woman. It was amazing, Bonnie didn’t know anyone that owned that much black before she met Shego. Vowing that today would be the day she broadened the raven-haired woman’s color usage, the brunette smiled a little wider. Just being around the Goroda heir always managed to make her forget everything else in the world. Even the disgrace marring her body was forgotten once she pulled the long-sleeved shirt over head.
Stepping out of the bedroom in a black turtleneck, and stonewashed gray jeans, aqua-eyes looked for the hostess of the building. Soft music floated around the spacious loft. Shego was playing the piano, Bonnie noted with a half smile, as the melody washed over her. It was a tune she had never heard before, not on the iPod when she held it captive, or in ballet. Curious, the teen made her way to the black couch facing the piano at an angle, and sat spellbound. Turquoise-eyes watched silently as pale, nimble fingers, danced across the keys of the baby-grand piano. It was a beautiful tune, but the sadness radiating from the pianist as she played, only made the brunette feel like she was intruding.
All too soon the song was over, and feeling that clapping would be inappropriate, Bonnie just sat quietly. Part of her dreaded the silence that loomed above them, but also welcomed it. Anything was better than the oncoming inquisition of her mysterious injuries. It was a--few--bruises, that was all. It was nothing to worry about, but she was still anxious of the raven-haired woman questioning her.
Unsure how to start, Shego stared at the keyboard. Although she had rehearsed what she would say as Bonnie changed, she was still feeling nervous. Despite the logical part of her that demanded she mind her own business, and not say a word; she strongly felt that she should. Some small, tiny, and very annoying, part of her believed she had to tell Bonnie something, anything, that wouldhelp the girl in some way. That although it may not make any sense, the brunette would understand. So she had to tell the young Rockwaller, she silently resolved.
Taking a deep breath, and turning around to face the teen, Shego hesitantly started. “My…” However as soon as forest eyes met aqua orbs, her mind blanked out. All the mentally prepared lines and the stoic speech, was turned to mush, and dribbled out as she looked at Bonnie. Dressed in her gray jeans that were rolled up at the ends, and a formfitting black turtleneck, the Rockwaller looked stunning to Shego.
Perhaps it was because the younger looked good in her clothes, she silently mused. Either way it was a nice change of pace from the teen’s normal mini-skirts and spaghetti-straps. Mentally cursing, she decided to stop gawking and just say whatever came to mind, she would deal with any repercussions later. Anything was better than ogling the brunette with her mouth agape she reasoned.
“…mother died when I was six.” Shego cringed, definitely not what she wanted to say, but no helping it now. Forcing herself to continue with the abstract line of thought, she sighed. “I didn’t learn till much later that Mimi lost the custody battle. At the time, I was forced to live with my biological father. His wife hated me, and never passed up the chance to remind me of that.
“It started out small, y’know--a slap here, or a push there. Sometimes she would forget to pick me up from school, or leave me in the car while she was shopping. I was a kid back then, and I thought that was how it was supposed to be, since I was living with them. She always said she was a busy woman; with four sons of her own, she didn’t have time to always remember me. I was just some kid they had to take in because my mother died, and my father insisted I live with them. It was only to help his popularity, since he was governor of the city, and I was just a charity case… So it didn’t matter what happened to me, she often told me, it wasn’t like I was part of their family.
“The…abuse…continued until I started high school. That was when that woman died. I’ve never once thought that having a meteorite crash into one’s backyard was a good thing, but it doesn’t matter now, does it? I…don’t regret her passing--I’m glad she died -- I…suppose that makes me a bad person, but I don’t care.
“For the longest time I honestly believed I received ‘just’ punishment. She always told me it was my fault. My fault my mother…died the way she did. My fault Mimi didn‘t want me back then. My fault I was too weak. Everything was my fault…and… I believed her.”
Giving the tanned teen an awkward smile, Shego sighed. “I guess all I’m trying to say is…it’s not your fault…and…well, I‘ve been there.” The older woman shrugged, and with a pale hand, pushed back a few strands of raven-hair behind an ear. It was embarrassing to tell anyone, let alone the teen before her, how weak she used to be. Shego was disgusted with her past, and never would have mentioned it, but she hoped the information would help and comfort the brunette. It was strange, she actually wanted to help and comfort the girl. But she didn’t know how. So she hoped she said the right thing. Hoped it was the right thing to say. All she could do was hope.
She hated feeling so helpless.
Bonnie didn’t know what to say. This was the first time the pale woman had ever said anything about her life, other than the few one-sentence answers. So how was she to respond to that? She couldn’t think of any good, or meaningful answers.
The light green blush Shego had was adorable, and filled the aqua-eyed girl with warmth. It was a rare sight, and the teen enjoyed every minute of it. Pushing aside her own confusion of the matter, Bonnie couldn’t deny she felt up-lifted, and relieved by Shego‘s admission. The younger had though she would be questioned when she exited the bedroom about the wounds. The brunette didn’t expect to discover Shego had a similar past, and it pained her to know. All this time, she couldn’t believe it, but all this time she thought she was the only one. Bonnie was sure no one could understand her. Sympathy or pity was all she would have expected, and she never wanted that, so she never said anything. But Shego understood. Shego could relate. The pale woman could actually empathize. It filled the teen with a sense of joy she had never experienced before.
Standing up slowly, the cheerleader made her way to sit by the pale woman. Together they sat on the piano bench wordlessly. Deliberately placing a hand over Shego’s pale one, both blushing lightly, Bonnie gave a small squeeze.
“Thanks.”
It was a cool mid-summer evening, the sky was painted a bright orange-yellow as the sun was setting. The occasional breeze would kick up a few of the lose trash before instantly dropping it a few feet away. One such debris was ruthlessly crushed underfoot as the throng of evening shoppers trudged about the Lowerton street mall. One of the oldest established shopping centers in Lowerton, it was surprisingly well kept. The entire fifteen block stretch was solely business offices and shops, with the occasional food court here and there. The Lowerton Street Mall was located in the heart of Lowerton. Thus shuttles continued to traffic back and forth along the streets around the clock, and citizens were allowed to walk rampantly along the wide sidewalks. With shops squished together so closely, it gave the illusion of one long building per-block. However with the jagged facades of many of the buildings, it was a wonder such a chaotic mess was still around.
Although it was a good hour before sun down, street lights were lit, and even the occasional tree trunk was warped in LED string lights. Food trolleys were still parked at corners, as the smell of cooking hotdogs lingering in the air, and meshed with the scent of spice from the taco cart a block away. Business men and women were off for the day as they socialized in groups and headed for any one of the restaurants along the street mall. Artificial light poured out of huge shop windows and doors, as the neon sighs beckoning shoppers to enter. Located on one of the busiest corners of the long business strip, was the most popular clothing shop. ‘Club Banana’ glowed in the dimming summer light as patrons entered and exited the large store.
Inside the famously trendy shop, hip-hop tracks alternated with hard rock, as the pre-set channel continued to play the latest hits. Groups of customers browsed the aisles and racks for the latest fashions, or hottest trends. Sales associates hovered over a few customers, intent on getting the commission, but most just flocked around the register. The latest co-worker gossip was much more fascinating that helping the customers that knew what they wanted. So it was unnoticed when a pair of females entered the establishment.
Making a beeline to the blouse rack, the brunette pulled the pale, slightly older, woman with her. Quickly pulling shirts and blouses off the rack, the tanned teen handed the items to the indifferent woman by the handful, before quickly moving on to the next rack. Emerald eyes rolled heavenward.
“Don’t you think this is a little much, Kitten? I thought you said you wanted to buy clothes, not an entire wardrobe for the army. Besides, aren’t these pants a little too long for you?”
“They’re actually for you. You need more variety, Shego, and I’m not talking of the fabric kind.” Aqua-eyes lit up as she watched the raven-haired woman opposite her take on a bewildered expression. It was awfully adorable, she noted with a half smile. Quickly shoving the stunned heiress into the dressing room with her arms full of clothing, the Rockwaller pulled the concealing curtain closed with a devious smile. Shego was being very compliant for a change, Bonnie smiled to herself, and she hoped this current mood would last for a little while longer.
Inside Shego stared at her reflection for a moment as her brain processed the sudden situation. She was just duped she realized. However, instead of becoming mad, the raven-haired woman just dropped the load of clothing to the floor and shook her head. She supposed she could humor the teen a little while longer. Gingerly picking up the first article from the mountain of fabric, an emerald eye twitched, as the red spaghetti-strap top detangled from the pile.
Whirling around, Shego pushed past the heavy maroon curtain, intent on leaving immediately. She was stopped as Bonnie stood before her, arms crossed and set in full-glare mode as she tapped her foot. It was like she was expecting the raven-haired woman to make a break for it, and was not impressed.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I am NOT wearing those.”
With a long suffering sigh, the teen pushed the obsidian-haired woman back into the changing room and followed closely behind. Standing on her toes, she whispered into Shego’s ear. “Do you really want to make a scene? Just try them on. I’m not making you buy them, I just want to see how you look in something other than a black turtleneck.”
With the teen firmly pressing on her, and the hot breath blowing on her ear, Shego was fairly distracted. Smirking, she turned her head slightly to give the chestnut-haired girl a feral grin. “Well if that’s all you wanted Kitten, we didn’t have to leave my loft.”
Blushing, the Rockwaller took a step back, and coughed into a balled fist as she adverted teal-eyes. “Then I’ll expect you to show me each outfit you try on.”
Turning to face the tanned teen fully, Shego smirked deviously. “Enjoy the show then.” Holding the hem of her black shirt, she slowly lifted the article to expose a flat, creamy stomach.
Gasping, Bonnie flushed again, and quickly exited the changing booth. “Just come out when you’ve finished changing.” Although her heart was pounding in her ears, and her back still facing the firmly closed curtains, the teen still managed a small smile. A soft chuckle was her answer.
Inside, Shego was blushing a bright-grass shade. All she could do was laugh. It was the first time she had ever done something so brazen around the teen. The rush was incredible, but it was all in good fun. It wasn’t like she was that way, she insisted, as a pale hand picked up the red spaghetti-strap once again. It was just fun to tease the girl.
She really is cute when she blushes though…
One hour later.
Slipping on khaki pants, and looking over to the mirror, Shego’s face dropped. She didn’t know what was more embarrassing at the moment. Telling Bonnie about her past earlier today, although she didn’t say much; or having to go out and show the teen the outfit she had on. Considering the baked girl had been handing over dozens upon dozens of coordinating tops and slacks or skirts, Shego was leaning towards the prior. The latter was just becoming more irritating as time slowly crawled forward.
She had to admit though, the brunette had taste as she looked at herself in the mirror in the small dressing room again. It would take some getting used to, and red was definitely not her color, why the brunette insisted on choosing red was beyond her, but the pants were really comfy. Khakis actually looked good, she quirked a smile. Schooling the approving smile into a formidable scowl, a pale hand pushed aside the velvet maroon curtains, and stepped out.
Forcing herself not to blush as the teen regarded her with a critical eye, Shego tried to look bored with the situation. She was succeeding to her delight. However the little victory dance she did mentally, fell through as she was handed another handful of garments. She wanted to cry.
For the next two hours, all arguments ran into a brick wall when it came to the teen. Bonnie was just too unmoving on the issue, she even held the slightly taller woman back from walking out the store with surprising strength…several times. Thus the grueling torture continued until the younger was satisfied with the outfits she had chosen.
Three hours and forty-five minutes after the cheerleader and heiress had entered Club Banana, they were ready to leave.
It was with grateful delight Shego approached the cash register. However the only expression the cashier could see was the murderous glare the taller obsidian-hair woman wore. Quickly folding and bagging the items, the clerk totaled the cost. However just as Shego was reaching for her billfold, the register chimed and a receipt printed out. Directing a piercing glare to the back of chestnut-hair, the pale woman ground her teeth as Bonnie signed the credit card stub.
“Thank You.” the clerk closed the transaction politely as four bags were placed on the counter.
Aqua-eyes met green orbs silently in question.
“You picked them out. You bought them. You’re carrying them.” Shego insisted as she turned and left Club Banana. The teen huffed as she snatched the four bags and hurried out after the obsidian-haired woman. It was dark out, but people were still milling around restlessly.
“But they’re for you.” Bonnie insisted as she struggled with the four bags of clothing. Holding two in each hand, the Rockwaller sighed in relief as the automatic doors swished open, and Shego was waiting for her outside. She briefly considered she went overboard with the shopping, but the pale-green woman desperately needed the wardrobe upgrade.
Shrugging and stuffing her left hand in the pants pocket, Shego replied. “I was happy with the clothes I had. It wasn’t my idea to go out and buy more.” Even though her angular face was set in a scowl, the light twinkle in her bright emerald eyes said otherwise. Walking a little slower, she kept pace with the tanned brunette.
“But you need more color. Black and green all the time is boring.”
Ignoring the teen’s argument, and shrugging once again, Shego silently took two bags from the girl. The summer crowd was heavy, as swarms of people passed by on either side of the sidewalk of the Lowerton street mall. It was dark, the only light coming from the streetlights over head and the shop windows. However the street mall was still busy. Shego inched closer to the teen. She was fully alert, and with the incident that happened to the chestnut-haired girl a night ago, she was prepared for any situation.
Switching the bags from her right hand, to the left, the pale woman watched the oncoming group of jolly, and obviously drunk, men walk towards Bonnie and herself. As the mass of chuckling, and cigarette smoking, bodies neared, a pale hand quickly took the Rockwaller by the wrist and pulled her away to avoid the drunkards. Loosening the firm grip on the joint, Shego had expected the teen to pull away. However as they stood in the pool of the streetlight, waiting for the walk signal to turn green, emerald-eyes widened as she felt a hand interlace with her own. Giving a sidelong glance to the teen, and quickly returning her attention the pulsing red signal across the street, Shego blushed. It was a good thing the lamp light was dim.
Closing pale fingers around the tanned hand, the raven-haired female pulled the younger across the street. Although it was becoming a chilly mid-summer evening, they were both warm as they continued window shopping.
Unknown to either of the females crossing the streets, two pairs of bright-blue eyes watched the pair with interest. As one set turned to face it’s companion and point in the general direction. The second began to discreetly follow the couple along the opposite side of the sidewalk. The slim Sony camera held closely as the figure hurried to catch up.
AN: This is the second half of Chapter Eight, and Chapter Nine. sigh This has really thrown a wrench into my system, but hopefully next chapter will flow better. On a side note, I’ve finished the Cover art for chapter one, go to my profile for the link ;). And if anyone is wondering what song Shego was playing, there is also a link on my profile for a Megaupload file of the song. It is titled ‘October Mermaid’ by Christian Pacaud. Um… I’m allowed to do this, right? . Since will not allow web links in stories, sorry for the redirecting and all (…;)\. It is just a small consolation for not posting at the promised time, sorry bout that (sweat drop).