It wasn't that hard to wake up, yet… It was so dreaded. I wished I could stay in bed for longer, but somebody had to make the breakfast. Ugh… Crawling out, leaving Shego on the bed alone… Ugh again. I hate mornings. She was snuggled against me ever so comfy! Waahh. But I had to. I knew that us both are hungry as wolves. And besides… Oh well. I crawled out from under blanket, and put on my cotton drawstring pants I prefered to wear home. I grabbed my bathrobe as well - for Shego's sake. I usually didn't bothered putting on more then bra on my upper half at home, otherwise. Now, a quick shower, and…
I crept to my kitchen - I could bet I stocked up on food yesterday. Whew… I did. So, what to make? Judging from my own appetite, I guessed something in the caliber of lots. So I put up my biggest frying pan. What's the morning special today? Fried eggs, fried frankfurters, toasts. I fried full pan of frankfurters, then switched to eggs. Finally, I looked over the piles of food, and smiled. Not bad for half an hour work, ah? Toaster popped up six times already. I piled toasts into a shifty stack. Now, what to drink? I rummaged through my fridge. Ah, bummer. No mango juice! Fine. I've got a pack of orange juice and pack of milk instead. Ice? Nah, autumn is cold enough as it is. I glanced on the bar, and shook my head. Getting plastered in the morning will yield nothing except latent dipsomania. Something was amiss, through. A-ha! I barely suppressed triumphant yell. Of course! I opened my cupboard, and grabbed peach jam.
Okies, all ready. I put everything on the tray, and went back into the bedroom. Breakfast, served in bed - it's a classic. Oldies, but goodies, yeah. I set the tray down on the bed and looked on Shego. She was still sleeping… And I just wanted some time to admire her. She huddled in the ball, somehow, and only her shoulder stuck out, partly covered with her hair. I pushed the hair away, to look more carefully - and yes. There was thin, almost invisible scar on her shoulder, continuing down to her shoulderblade. She must've got it not so long ago, maybe two or three years ago. It looked like she was hit with a machete. My lips, involuntary, formed thin line. I wanted to seek out whoever done this, and kill him or her on the spot.
I stretched my arm, and traced my fingers against her shoulder, and down on her back. Shego shivered in her sleep, and I was sure I heard her mumble something. I leaned down, my curiosity taking the best of me.
“…mmie… Kimmie… I knew… I would return… to you… Betrayers… Not you… AH!” - Shego jerked up and wildly looked around for a few seconds.
“Wha…!? Who? What?” - she finally rested her stare on me. I smiled to her.
“Good morning, Shego. Breakfast's here.” - I said.
“KIMMIE!!?!?!!” - she suddenly launched on me, and enveloped me in hug. I barely managed to evade upsetting the tray.
“Hey, hey, yeah, s'me.” - I laughed, patting her back. She suddenly squeezed me so much I couldn't breathe, effectively making me gasp for air. She immediately released me, through. Just to pull back slightly and examine me more closely then scientists from SETA would examine first alien in their hands ever. I smiled to her again.
“Come on, Shego, eat first - fool around after.” - I told her. She blinked, then stared on the tray. Woosh! Her hand snatched a toast so fast I barely saw it. She nearly stuffed it whole in her mouth. HA! I knew she would be hungry, allright. Shego finished the toast, and let out an audible sign of relief.
“I thought it was all just a dream.” - she confessed.
I chuckled - “Far from it, Shego. It's all for real. I sure dreamt long enough about you, to wish for bona fide article.” She just chuckled, looking over the tray with hungry eye. I gave her a plate, and put some eggs and frankfurters on it.
“Hope you like it.” - I said, getting some food for myself. She enthusiastically nodded, biting in the sausage. It was good enough for me, so I concentrated on my plate.
In ten minutes, we cleaned up all eggs, and all sausages. So we continued with toasts, spreading peach jam over them. Shego frowned on milk, so we put it aside. Truth to be told, I kept milk around only to have clabber sometimes, to make pancakes. But juice was a hit, so I run to the kitchen, and grabbed another pack of it. I wanted to talk to Shego, but decided it could wait until we'll be full. It was Shego, who broke the silence.
“By heavens, Kimmie. For a private eye, you cook heavenly.” - she concluded, licking jam off her finger.
I giggled - “Come on, eggs and sausages? Who can screw that up?”
Shego snorted - “Believe me, most guys can't even make toasts right, let alone eggs or sausages.”
I smiled to her, somewhat lecherously, I'm afraid - “Even more reason to stick with girls, non?”
To my surprise, she laughed out loud. Was that funny?
“Kimmie, trust me. When I say you cook better then most people, I know what I'm saying.” - she said through laughter, - “You should've seen Lady Hatter trying to cook.”
“Lady who?” - I asked.
“Lady Hatter. She's a villain I worked for about eight years ago. She's one screwed up hag. Thinks she's destined to marry Mad Hatter.” - Shego explained.
“Wait, wait, I heard about it!” - I exclaimed, - “The one who sent half of the Las Vegas Red Light District population to Puritan convention in Kanzas, when teleportation machine she stole malfunctioned?”
Shego nodded - “That's her. I stole machine for her, and we had to hide out on abandoned farm in Kanzas for a few weeks. I made only instant noodles, and she demanded something different. I said that I can't cook, and if she wants something she can make it on her own. Thank goodness, I didn't tried her concoction. She called it an oatmeal, but I think she made flour paste. I glued up missing tiles on the roof with it after.”
I laughed - “But what did she wanted in Las Vegas?”
Shego smirked - “Guess!”
I made ‘smart’ face - “She thought Mad Hatter blows his money there?”
Shego shook her head - “You're not even close. She tried to teleport a pizza for herself.”
I guffawed - “PIZZA?!”
“Yeah. I was on the backyard, using ‘facilities', when she blew up half of the roof, trying to figure out controls. Tiles were teleported all over the farm, and I had to gather them up and put them back on later.” - Shego groused. I shook my head and took another toast. Shego grabbed another one too, and only one was left. We looked on each other, then both reached for it, and broke it in half.
Shego looked over the tray, the bed, and made a silent sign of relief. I traced her gaze, down to the pile of crumbs on the tray. Oh yeah, thank God we ate above the tray. Sleeping on the crumbs is not something I'd want to do. She stepped off the bed on the floor, and stretched. I didn't knew, if she was teasing me, trying to get used to it herself or simply didn't realised what was she doing, but… I WAS saluvating this time, as I was presented with a flawless body, scantily clad in black undergradments. I clenched sheet in my fist, repressing the urge to grab her right there and then. Temper, Kim, temper! Shego noticed my lusting stare, and started blushing. She shivered, then grabbed blanket, and wrapped herself in it. I exhaled. I was keeping my breath all that time. Ugh… Ugh… Phuuaah… Ah… Heavens forefend! Now that was a beauty to kill for. I stood up, and opened my dresser. I took out spare bathrobe and drawstring pants and gave them to Shego.
“There. That should be better then blanket.” - I said, my voice still throaty from what I just saw. She took them, and looked on me rather questioningly.
“Bathroom's that way.” - I said, pointing to the door, - “And come out on the balcony, when you finish there, OK? Oh, and if you decide to take a bath, don't take small blue bottle of shampoo on the lower shelf. It's peroxide.”
She shook her head - “I'd rather take a quick shower.”
I nodded to her, winked and smiled. She breathed out relieved sign, and went to the bathroom. I thought she was going to walk in in the blanket, but she tossed it on the bed, as she was entering the door. I went to the kitchen, and put kettle on fire. Then, I just sat there, and wondered. Before I knew it, kettle started whistling. I took it off fire, and set off to prepare tea. I was so caught up in my thoughts, that I didn't payed attention to what I am preparing. So I ended up with my favourite brew - hibiscus flowers, mixed with cinnamon and honey. I poured boiling water in the teapot, and only then realised, that Shego might not like karkade. I picked it up in Russia, and not everybody in America liked the taste of hibiscus. Then again, Shego was as much of a globe-trotter as I was - surely she was in Russia before. Why even Russia? I'm pretty sure I was served with a cup of karkade in Egypt, once. It's not called egyptian rose just for nothing, you know!
I suddenly realised, that arguing with myself about the origins of my favourite brew is quite pointless. So, I, in several rounds, brought kettle of boiling water, jug of cold water, teapot of karkade, pack of strawberry teabags (I searched all my cupboard, but aside from karkade, it was the only tea I had.), plates, shortcake, parkins and gingerbread on the balcony. I had a big balcony, with awning and big rocking-couch. Ok, so I liked big things. So what? I always liked being high too. Cursed that last night, through, when we had to climb five stores up, to reach my apartament under roof.
I set up teapoy I had there on the balcony. I always liked reclining in rocking-couch with a cup of tea. Now, I'd like it even more, when I have Shego, to share it with. So? So wait… Shego shouldn't take long. When I made last trip, she was already out of shower - water wasn't running. True, she came out, dressed just like me - only difference was that she had towel on her head, and I discarded mine during breakfast. She came to me and sat down. I looked on her.
“Feeling more awake?” - I asked.
Shego shook her head - “No, I woke up when you showed me breakfast. What's that?”
She pointed on the teapot. It was made from glass, and to the unfamiliar eye, looked like it was filled with wine. I took it, opened it, and offered it to Shego. She sniffed.
“Whoa, smells good. It's some sort of tea?” - she queried.
“It's karkade, aka egyptian rose. Want some?” - I replied.
“Maybe… pour me some, I'll decide.” - She said, and I poured her half a cup of karkade. She tried one sip, and made saucer eyes. Then, cautiously, she tried another. Her face at first straightened, then relaxed into a smile.
“You know… It's just like you - takes some time to get used too, but when you do, it's sweet.” - she mused, holding up empty cup for a refill. I poured her full cup of karkade. She sipped from it, and leaned back. I took my own cup, and leaned back too. I felt strange - I wanted to ask things, but somehow knew, that I shouldn't ask. That eventually, Shego'll tell me all I wanted to know.
“So peaceful… Kimmie, did you chose this place by random, or you looked it up specifically?” - she asked pencively.
“Looked it up. It's quiet, classy and safe.” - I replied.
“Yeah, I see. A good view from here, no?” - she gestured over morning town. The building my apartament was in stood just on the border with suburb, and my balcony was facing long rows of two-story houses.
I nodded - “Yeah. No walls to oscure sight. Besides, it's fun to blow bubbles from here.”
Shego snickered - “Bubbles?”
I shrugged. Shego took a few sips from her cap in silence, then signed.
“I wish I wasn't that stupid before…” - she muttered.
“Stupid?” - I asked. Shego signed again, and suddenly snuggled up against me.
“Yeah, stupid.” - she said, - “Because I was looking for that in every man… Hadn't realised you had that all along.”
Oh-uh. Not so good.
“Well, Shego, it'as flattering, but… well… Lets wait a few weeks before you start deciding that. I'm not an angel too, you know.” - I replied. She turned her head slightly, just enough to see my face.
“I know. But just because you realise it, is alone good enough reason to stick with you for a long haul. Not the one of the guys I met had even an inkling of thinking he might not be perfect.” - she said seriously. I nodded.
“Shego… Well… I know you didn't had much luck with men, but doesn't it bothers you that I'm woman, now?” - I asked, a bit awkwardly.
She giggled a bit nervously - “Well, not as much as it did then. I just have to get used to it. I just…”
She stopped, and blushed. I raised my brow on her.
“What?” - I asked quietly.
“Well… I… I thought being gay was really nasty back then. I mean… Drakken told me what some guys in the prison did, and it sounded so nasty and denigrating…” - Shego trailed off. I laughed.
“Shego, there are different things in prison. I can say right off the bat it's usually forced. Nobody respects passive sodomites in prison, so they are usually boys for beating and all that. And well… It's just not what gay people do. Those prison guys - they are heterosexual. They just do that for relieve spermotoxicose, just because they need to fuck somebody, and no woman is avalaible in next few years or so.” - I explained. Shego had embarassed and uneasy look when I finished. I looked on her flushed face and cringed.
“Uh, sorry. Didn't mean to gross you out.” - I said quickly. She nodded.
“I, sort of, looked it all up after.” - she mumbled.
“Oh? You mean you looked up information about gay lifestyle?” - I asked.
She shook her head - “No, I meant, on what girls can do with each other.”
I froze with open mouth. She suddenly snickered.
“Aw, come on! I just had to know what was that what got you so interested in this lifestyle.” - she explained. I, with some difficulty, closed my mouth.
“Shego, I… Well, I just liked girls from the start. It wasn't my concious decision, I just found girls sexually attractive, like guys do. Guess I was screwed-up kid.” - I told her.
“HUH? You mean, you was just like that from the very beginning?” - she exclaimed, now her eyes wide.
“Yeah…” - I mumbled.
“I thought you got burned with that guy… Mankey, I think. You know… Well, I guess I played stupid party again?” - she said.
“Nothing stupid, Shego. I just… Well, back then I myself wasn't very keen on coming out of the closet. So I just went out with Josh, because he was the only not sex-crazed guy in school. We just used each other as a smoke-screen, you know?” - I explained. Her eyes got even wider.
“You mean you dated gay guy?” - she breathed out.
“Well… I don't actually have any iron-clad proof on his sexuality, but yeah.” - I said.
Shego downed her cup - “My lord… Never figured you out to be that…”
“Screwed?” - I finished for her.
“Elaborate!” - she corrected me, - “I thought back then that you're plain as a board… Uh, not in physical sence, of course.”
I giggled - “Shego, did you just complimented me?”
She giggled back - “Get used to it, girlfriend!”
I sat straight and nearly bit off a part of my cup, when she called me that.
“Whoh… Oh… Thanks…” - I managed to utter. Shego patted my back. I exhaled, and downed my cup, then put it on the teapoy.
“I'd say you've gone softer, Shego.” - I casually mentioned, leaning back again. She frowned.
“I know. I thought I'd never admit that, but I'm a sucker for a company. Really went out of my way not to be alone.” - her frown deepened. I put my arms around Shego - it was easy, since she was still snuggled up to me.
“I'm sorry I didn't came earlier, Shego.” - I murmured. She shook her head, tickling my nose with her hair.
“It's not your fault. I don't think I was ready to come with you earlier.” - she said.
She stretched against me, like a cat, and continued - “Maybe if we met before, all would've been different. But I know only what happens now. And I am glad it happened.”
I didn't expected Shego to stay on this mood, however, and true, Shego asked me a pointy question - “Hey, Kimmie. I looked up a whole lot of things, but… How do you like it?”
I coughed - “It? What it?”
She blushed somewhat, but elaborated - “How do you like to have girls? Sexually, I mean.”
I coughed again - “Uh… A loaded question. I dunno, Shego, it depends on mood. I'm pretty flexible in styles. I… I mean, I can do toys, bondage, that sort of thing, but…uh…”
I found myself blushing, as I continued - “I just prefer to stick to using fingers and tongue… Oh, other body parts too, whatever hits me in the head. As long as it's pleasant and both want it, of course.”
Shego was looking on me from under lashes, this half-closed eyes amused smirk. She wasn't unaffected by my words, because she was blushing, but not in the way ‘I can't believe this perversy!', but rather in a way - ‘Golly, it's indecent, but I'd like to try it.’ She stretched again, and I gulped as her bathrobe slipped to the side a bit, giving me a clear view on her chest. Thank god she wore bra, but the way we were sitting, and this tantalising view combined… I bit my tongue, and forced myself to exhale. But… I put an arm around Shego, my hand caressing her throat, and my elbow obscuring view down her bathrobe. She murmured something, almost purred.
I pleaded - “Shego… Please… Are you trying to seduce me?”
She purred - “What's it to you?”, and turned slightly to the side, making my arm coil around her even tighter.
“Shego. I… Please, not so quick. I'm afraid I'll do something we'll both later regret. Please?” - this was not much more then a whimper from my mouth, but Shego suddenly turned around half-way, and looked me square in the eye.
“Do you have any idea what had you done just now?” - her voice sounded hoarce and harsh. I hadn't.
“No?” - I squeaked.
“You… You just gave me the final proof of what a wonderful person you are!” - Shego suddenly kissed me, as soon as she ended her speech. It wasn't one of those super-duper major wet kisses that leave you slightly dizzy, no, it was one small peck, more of like a promice, then anything else, albeit it left me with my head swirling.
“Wah… Whaah? What?” - I slurred.
Shego giggled, grabbed my head and shook it, making my thoughts reel and roll. I focused my eyes on her, and pronounced, one word a time - “Shego… Stop… Shaking… My… Head. I… Can't… Think.” She giggled again, then chortled loudly, and finally, broke out in a full-sized laughter.
“You lost me there.” - I admitted, rubbing my head. Shego gradually calmed down.
“You should've saw yourself, Kimmie. You looked like a bass.” - she said. I snorted.
“Charming. But you still lost me. What was that about proof?” - I asked. Shego got serious.
“Kimmie, you're the only one who tried to think of me ahead of you. I mean… I mean, well… Oh, hell. I mean, if…” - she stumbled quite a bit.
“What?” - I really had no idea, where she headed with that.
“Damn it, I can't even say it right. I meant to say, that noone before even considered holding up in this kind of situation.” - she explained.
I shook my head - “It's hard to, really. I mean, I thought I better restrain myself only because I saw how edgy you was before. Otherwise, I almost certainly would've gone ahead.”
She shook her head too - “That's exactly what I mean. You was actually attentive enough to notice that my seduction wasn't genuine.”
She held up finger, as I opened my mouth, and continued - “You'd probabily say it's just because women notice more then men, but that's not true.”
I made a confuzed frown - “How would you know about women?”
She replied - “I met lesbians before. Worked for one, even.” She bit her lip, but said - “I think, that it's because of her it took me so long to accept your affection.”
My face turned into a dispassive mask, as I asked - “I presume she tried to pressure you into a relationship with her?”
Shego nodded - “Not even relationship. She just needed a plaything for a night, I guess.”
“Oh…” - really, what else could I say? I had nothing against one-night stands - had plenty of them. But forcing somebody to? That's just Stupid. Yeah, Stupid, with capital S.
I leaned back and to the side, going to half-lieing. That's just odds and bits. I'll start piecing them together, when I'll have more of them. I wished I could use Wade to check Shego's background out, but that wasn't an option right now - careful as Wade is, he had no more free legal access to police, FBI and GI databases, and if he'll start checking out Shego, somebody might be interested in doing it too. And, considering facts that we needed as little attention on Shego, as possible, and that we wouldn't aquire much information anyway… I decided that it wasn't worth the risk. I knew, however, that Shego was and is involved in a lot of illegal operations. I wasn't a white angel here, either, but… Our exploits differed. Shego had a very impressive list of sussessful heists. Even back then I was in school. It was miles long, now, I presumed. Espionage, grand scale theft, kidnapping… Very impressive. I, myself, had nowhere near as much ‘property aquisition', as she had. I prefered to legally receive 25 of value of my ‘spoils of war', then risking for a 150 at a black market. It was more of a lack of contacts on the black market, through, then anything else. But, unlike Shego, I done some ‘wet’ work. Of course, I wouldn't dabble in the political ‘warfare’. My usual targets were criminals. Somebody might say it's amoral and cynical, but why not? If I get to get rid of drug baron, or a couple of terrorists, and get payed a good money for it, as well… Of course, there are details as well. Once, I had to fight my way out from the ‘customer''s office, when he decided that nobody needs to know about his, now newly severed ties with Edwardo Pedro Alvares De Perez and his coca plantation. Or a few times, when potential ‘customers’ tried to threaten me into a free work. Good thing I'm a sticker for just rewards and swift retributions.
I frowned at my thoughts. That's all good and stuff, but what has it in common with Shego? I haven't done ‘wet’ work in two years… Or more? Stupid me. I done it last night. Well, it isn't actually work… Ah, to the hell with it. I think I need something else to think about. Hm… Oh, yeah, I know what to think about, exactly. Or rather, what to do. I wondered, what would Shego do? Things were in my favour - Shego didn't bothered to shift herself much, when I layed down, so I could easily reach for her. So I just did that. I just needed to give my hands something to do - lazy hands are devil's toys. So, I started rubbing Shego's shoulders. Despite the early hour (Come on, twelve in the morning is still early.), Shego isn't very active today - a fallout from yesterday activities. I'm always sleepy after a case. She murmured something at my touch.
“Ah? Did you said something?” - I asked. Shego just rolled over, so she was completely on her stomach. Ookies, plan Beta. Among of my many school extracirricular activities were summer lessons on whatnot. What I used right now, was summer course on massage. I took it when I was still trying to push myself to the limit (Stupid me - I'm lucky I haven't burned out by now.), so I (naturally) was on top of the class. It's been quite useful in the past, too. So I did my best to see Shego as relaxed as she could get. It seemed to work perfectly fine.
I spend about half an hour on it. Then I decided, that lounging around was enough, and it's time to do something more active. I started out by standing up. Shego groused something under her voice, but stood up too, when I started to gather cups and plates. She picked up kettle and jug, and walked after me to the kitchen. I put dirty dishes into the sink, and while I washed them, she gathered up all that remained on the balcony. I was just putting dishes, when she asked me - “Where do you keep cookies?”
I said back - “Breadbox. Careful, don't stuff it too full, cover's not too good.”
Or course, she peeked in, and shrugged. I've got to show her other stashes as well. What stashes? Oh, thats easy. I kept small guns in several unexpected places - taped to the breadbox roof, in the socks drawer, taped under the bathroom sink and behind the mirror in the hallway. Just a small precaution against unexpected visitors. I already got one, a few days after I moved in here - stupid guy decided it won't be a bother to deal with lone girl. Thankfully, he wasn't stupid enough to decide it won't be a bother to deal with a lone girl, who had a gun.
I finished putting everything away, and shrugged.
“Hey, Shego?” - I asked.
“Yeah?” - She asked back.
“What do you think? How about going shopping?” - I mused.
She shrugged - “I have to hit the bank first. Need to cash in a check.”
“A check?” - I asked.
“I write checks to myself, and take money. Don't like to write checks to somebody else.” - she explained.
“Oh…” - I had credit cards. Wade took some measures with them - I had no idea, what exactly, but he assured me, that it'll be extremely hard for anybody to use them without my agreement, or trace me by them.
“Ok, sounds like a plan. Hey, a second! We have dough from yesterday.” - I said.
Shego snorted - “I forgot about it.”
I shrugged. “You can use a bathroom to change. I'll have something to take care of.” - I offered, heading to bedroom. Shego followed me. I picked up my guns, while Shego examined her clothes. As her clothes consisted of jeans and shirt, everything was in order - well, shirt was wrinkled a bit.
“Wanna borrow one of my shirts? Or iron yours?” - I asked her, as she examined it.
She shook her head - “Naah, I think I'll adopt a “had a wild binge yesterday” style for today.”
I shrugged - “Ja, ja, das ist fantastish.”
Shego disappeared in the bathroom, while I checked guns out. All was fine, so I put holsters with supporting straps on the chair, and went gutting my wardrobe. Finally, I decided on jeans, and t-shirt, and my coat over. This way, I won't look much different from Shego. I considered quickly putting clothes on right on the spot, but decided that that woulnd't be appropriate - as intriguing, as being naked in front of Shego sounds, I think I'll pass for now. Not the time yet - Shego needs to get used to me, as well, as I need to get used to her. Just then, Shego walked out of the bathroom, sporting a new ponytail. I shrugged and went past her in the bathroom, quipping - “Looking good!”, on the way. She would look even greater with her hair loose, but…
I quickly put clothes on, brushed my hair, and walked out as well. Shego was amusing herself with my TV. I picked up my guns and put them on, locking the straps together. Shego suddenly snorted.
“Hey, Kimmie? You've been promoted to a gang!” - she called out. I blinked.
“What?” -I asked, taking a glance on TV. Apparently, it was local newsflash on. I instantly recognised the apartament - it was the one we left in English style yesterday. It seemed they had found Shego's host already. Newscaster was talking (Huh, what else could he do?) very animatedly, describing ‘crime’ in the direst tones he could.
‘Respected businessman…', ‘…brutally slayed…', ‘…valiantly defended…', ‘…authorities have reasons to believe…', ‘…gang of criminals…', ‘…will be apprehended…', ‘…authorities have fresh lead…', ‘…that's all for today. Stay tuned for more information at three, six, nine and twelve PM. This was Ted Parsons, with today's news.’
I shrugged - “Well, if cops need to chase a shadow, it's their choice.”
Shego snorted again, and shut off TV.
“Let's go, Kimmie. Mall awaits.” - she said, and gave me my coat. Hers was already on her. I nodded, put coat on, and we walked out of the door. I locked it, and hurried own the stairs, to catch up with Shego.